ANCIENT EGYPTIAN COFFINS ARE FOCAL POINT OF NEW INTERACTIVE EXHIBIT
Protected for Eternity Opens October 8, 2003 at Memorial Art Gallery
Journey back in time to ancient Egypt. Explore a world ruled by gods and goddesses. Unlock the secrets of the hieroglyphs. Learn about the elaborate processes and magical rituals intended to protect body and spirit alike. The journey begins with the Memorial Art Gallery's latest interactive installation for all ages, Protected for Eternity: The Coffins of Pa-debehu-Aset.
The installation showcases one of the most significant MAG acquisitions ever-a pair of coffins that once held the mummy of an Egyptian official of the 4th century bce. Pa-debehu-Aset's lavishly decorated anthropoid coffin (shown here) was unveiled in 2001 to much media fanfare. Protected for Eternity: The Coffins of Pa-debehu-Aset also displays his equally colorful outer coffin, antiquities from the Gallery's collection and a mummy and other objects on long-term loan from the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA.
Space is limited in the Gill Center, so while you're at the Gallery, plan to visit our ancient collection on the second floor. Take advantage of a variety of activities for all ages offered in conjunction with the new exhibit. Entrance to the Gill Center is free with Gallery admission.
Protected for Eternity is made possible by funding from Dan and Dorothy Gill. Additional support is provided by the Museum Loan Network, a program administered by MIT's Office of the Arts, funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and The Pew Charitable Trusts; and by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Davenport-Hatch Foundation, Inc.
Additional funding for the Gallery Guide and CD-ROM has been provided by the New York Council for the Humanities, a state program of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Additional funding for the Evening for Educators has been provided by Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation.
