Lost Egypt: Ancient Secrets, Modern Science in Fort Worth
Forget all that Hollywood imagery of slaves toiling away in dire conditions to build the great pyramids of Egypt. According to Lost Egypt: Ancient Secrets, Modern Science, a new exhibit at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, pyramid construction was a decent gig. Workers not only ate well, and slept in good housing, but also received medical care for their injuries.
Modern technology unravels the secrets of mummies in this display at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History.
How do we know this? Good question, and one that Egyptologists such as Dr. Mark Lehner have been researching for more than 20 years. After realizing that it took 20 to 30 thousand people to build the pyramids at Giza, Lehner began to wonder, “Where did they live? Where’s their city? How were they fed?”
Questions like these led to his discovery of the Lost City of Pyramid Builders, which is the basis for the traveling exhibit currently on display at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Here, visitors can learn about modern archeology as well as life in ancient Egypt through a series of videos, interactive displays and hands on activities throughout the installation. The exhibit is aimed at families with children aged 9 and older, and the display text is written in a clear manner that younger people will understand and older people will find engaging.
Facial reconstruction of a mummy called Annie.
The grandeur of the pyramids distracted archeologists from exploring the day-to-day aspects of ancient Egyptian life for many years. As Dr. Lehner explains, “To me, what was lost, as an archaeologist, was the everyday life of the people.” As a result, museum exhibits frequently focus upon the most opulent artifacts of ancient Egyptian royalty. According to Dr. Lehner, “That’s what you think of ancient Egypt: statues, gold bowls, and mummies.” Lost Egypt: Ancient Secrets, Modern Science, however, is an exhibit which focuses on the lives of ordinary people.
Even the human mummy on display is that of a regular citizen and not royalty. Nicknamed “Annie,” her shrouded body is unusual because mummies are nearly always people of high social status. The exhibit gives a fascinating account of why her anonymous body, found floating in the Nile River, received special treatment.
This camel makes a nice photo op for little ones.
Another captivating display features facial reconstructions of mummies (including Annie). These lifelike busts add a personal layer to ancient history, making it easy to connect with the exhibit as a representation of real people with real lives, and not just a collection of facts.
Don’t miss out on Lost Egypt: Ancient Secrets, Modern Science on display in Fort Worth through January 3, 2011. The 6000 square foot installation is so jam-packed with interesting information, displays and activities that you will walk out with a renewed interest in this ancient civilization and its people.
What: Lost Egypt: Ancient Secrets, Modern Science
When: Daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. through January 3, 2011 (Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.)
Where: Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, 1600 Gendy St.Fort Worth, TX 76107 (map)
Admission to exhibit: $14 adults, $10 children (ages 2-12), $10 Seniors (60 and over), Free for museum members
More information: Visit the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History official website.
Photo credits: All photos taken by Brad Feinknopf, courtesy of Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, except for the Kids on the camel photo, courtesy of Tui Cameron
