The End of Excavating Egypt’s Journey
The exhibition Excavating Egypt: Great Discoveries from the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology is back in London after traveling to nine cities in five years and taking on the sought-after title of “Blockbuster exhibition.” Peter Lacovara, Senior Curator of ancient Egyptian, Nubian, and Near Eastern art, notes that Excavating Egypt’s success points to the art audience’s desire for innovative approaches to the art and archaeology of Ancient Egypt. Arrangements for the exhibition, featuring 221 artifacts and one of the most extensive displays of Egyptian objects, was organized by Lacovara and the Michael C. Carlos Museum in collaboration with the Petrie Museum of Egyptology at University College, London.

During its run at the Robert V. Fullerton Art Museum at California State University, San Bernardino, Excavating Egypt pulled in what amounted to 30 percent of the average number of annual visitors. A spokesperson for the New Mexico Museum of Art noted that Excavating Egypt drew more than 16,000 visitors during its run in 2007-08.

The exhibition chronicles the adventurous spirit of the early days of Egyptian archaeology through the discoveries of British pioneer and "the Father of Modern Archaeology," Sir William Flinders Petrie (1853-1942). More than 200 objects drawn from the London museum named for the legendary figure are featured, including one of the world's earliest surviving dresses (ca. 2400 BC), mysterious mummy portraits, and royal art from the pharaoh Akhenaten's famous city at Amarna. Rare archival photos and documents illustrate Petrie's brilliant innovations, which continue to inspire and inform great discoveries.

Although a Petrie Museum exhibition, Excavating Egypt is a testament to the passion and perseverance of Lacovara and the Michael C. Carlos Museum in bringing the mystery and magic of ancient Egypt to the United States–specifically through art and archaeology.

Who is Petrie?
Petrie was a pioneer in the field of Egyptian archaeology, with his careful and scientific excavation techniques. His emphasis on recording the physical dispersal of objects in a site rather than simply digging for objects made his excavation techniques unique for his time. Petrie trained many of the best archaeologists of the day who worked side by side with him, learning his techniques. He was keenly aware of the scientific value of every object, no matter how humble, as well as the critical importance of context in archaeology. The fundamental unit, the "tomb group," was highlighted in the exhibition, including Petrie's original notes and sketches.

The Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology's history begins not with Sir Petrie, but with his patron, the traveler, popular author and journalist Amelia Edwards (1831-1892).  Her passion for Egypt led her to establish the Egypt Exploration Fund (still in operation today as the Egyptian Exploration Society), which supported Petrie's early excavations.

In 1892, Edwards bequeathed her fortune to University College, London (UCL), funding a chair in Egyptology for Sir Petrie. In addition, she gave to UCL her library and personal collection, including jewelry, scarabs, statuary, funerary tablets, pottery and writings on linen and papyrus. Her bequest was intended to promote the teaching of Egyptology; her collection was expanded through years of excavation in Egypt by Petrie and his students.  

With 80,000 objects, it became the largest teaching collection to be found in any university, and one of the most important Egyptian collections in the world. This mission of scholarship is shared by the Michael C. Carlos Museum and the collaboration of these two institutions made it possible to organize this unique exhibition which reached so many individuals.
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Image: Copyright Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, University College London. Photo by Michael McKelvey