To continue celebrating the Museum’s bicentenary, starting on October 5th, Museo Egizio presents "Materials. The Shape of Time", a new permanent exhibition which explores the materials of ancient Egypt, including wood, pigments, ceramic vessels, and stone objects, from the Predynastic Period (ca. 4000-3100 BCE) up until to the Byzantine Period (565-642 BCE). This exhibition, which spans approximately 700 square meters across the ground and underground levels, is the result of in-depth interdisciplinary research project. In the first gallery, which focuses on wood and pigments, two large showcases each display 40 different varieties of these materials, highlighting how ancient craftspeople selected the most suitable types of wood for creating everyday objects. The exhibition also illustrates the colour palette of the ancient Egyptians, made up of both organic and chemically composed pigments, illustrating the techniques for mixing colours to achieve different shades and the subsequent stages of painting. Wood and pigments come together in the display of a coffin, whose complex construction process is narrated through projections and video mapping. The second section is dedicated to the display of nearly 5,000 pottery vessels, organised inside large glass showcases arranged over two levels and extending to the ceiling. This approach goes beyond traditional paradigms in the archaeological study of ceramics, focusing on the production, function, and provenance of the objects. Statues, stelae, ceiling fragments, and stone vessels take centre stage in the final gallery, which focuses on stone artefacts. This section highlights the great technical skill of the ancient Egyptians and their ability to work with different types of stone, exploring the craftsmanship and tools used to transform raw materials into finished objects. "Materials. The Shape of Time" not only tells the story of the objects but with the help of modern digital technologies, also offers a reflection on the creative processes and skills that made creating such pieces possible. A journey into the origins of materials and craftsmanship in ancient Egypt — book your visit HERE

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