A visit to Cairo's Egyptian Museum helps bring the country's many ancient sights to life. Along with the Grand Egyptian Museum at Giza, this museum shows off the best collection of ancient Egyptian art anywhere. The core of the collection, dating from about 3,000 to 1,000 BC, features art from the age of the pharaohs. Nearly everything filling these old halls is funerary art, designed to aid the souls of the pharaohs in their transition to the afterlife.
The art is remarkably well-preserved due to being hidden away for 4,000 years in tombs, dark and dry. Highlights include the oldest surviving painting, a portrayal of geese from 2,500 BC, and the seated scribe, symbolizing the importance of the educated elite in ancient Egypt.
Ancient Egyptians preserved bodies through mummification, hoping to ensure the soul's journey to the next world. Elaborately painted coffins accompanied the deceased, filled with prayers for a successful afterlife. Egyptian art remained remarkably stable for 2,000 years, reflecting the enduring stability of Egyptian society and its deep religious beliefs.
One notable exception was Akhenaten, who ruled around 1,400 BC and introduced monotheism to Egypt, replacing the pantheon with the worship of the Sun god, Aten. His reign marked a brief departure from the traditional artistic style, showcasing looser, more intimate portrayals of daily life.
The art is remarkably well-preserved due to being hidden away for 4,000 years in tombs, dark and dry. Highlights include the oldest surviving painting, a portrayal of geese from 2,500 BC, and the seated scribe, symbolizing the importance of the educated elite in ancient Egypt.
Ancient Egyptians preserved bodies through mummification, hoping to ensure the soul's journey to the next world. Elaborately painted coffins accompanied the deceased, filled with prayers for a successful afterlife. Egyptian art remained remarkably stable for 2,000 years, reflecting the enduring stability of Egyptian society and its deep religious beliefs.
One notable exception was Akhenaten, who ruled around 1,400 BC and introduced monotheism to Egypt, replacing the pantheon with the worship of the Sun god, Aten. His reign marked a brief departure from the traditional artistic style, showcasing looser, more intimate portrayals of daily life.
