Primary school pupils have been given a first-hand insight into the mystical world of ancient Egypt, thanks to a unique collaboration between Swansea University’s Egypt Centre and the British Museum.
Brightly painted masks, collages, models – and even a full-sized sarcophagus – created by youngsters at two city schools are now on show alongside an ancient Egyptian hieroglyph-inscribed stone dating back more than 2,000 years.
The stone, known as a cippus, is now on loan as the centrepiece of new exhibition Ancient Egypt: magic and medicine which is at the heart of the project between the British Museum and The Egypt Centre.
The cippus was a magical artefact, believed to protect people from dangers posed by animals such as lions and crocodiles. The protection was achieved by reciting spells inscribed on the cippus. On its front the god Horus is shown triumphing over these threats. Above him is the face of Bes, a protective deity especially associated with safeguarding at home.
Ancient Egypt: magic and medicine is part of the British Museum in Your Classroom (BMIYC) programme which has seen pupils from Terrace Road and St Helen’s primary schools working with curators from British Museum and The Egypt Centre to explore these ancient mysteries. The highlight of the project saw the cippus visit both schools to give the children a first-hand look at the treasure.
The Egypt Centre curator Dr Ken Griffin, whose own passion for Egyptology was sparked by a childhood visit to a museum, said: “Since January it has been a privilege to deliver sessions within the schools exploring these ancient mysteries. The pupils’ enthusiasm for the project has led to some wonderful works of art.
“We are so lucky to have been able to work with the British Museum on this project and to welcome this remarkable ancient Egyptian cippus to Swansea.”
John Stokes, Head of National Programmes, British Museum, said: “Our British Museum in Your Classroom programme is an opportunity to instil the wonder of personally encountering an ancient object in schoolchildren who wouldn’t normally have this experience. I hope we have ignited a lasting passion for the ancient world and a new generation of museumgoers.”
Teacher Tim Sudbury from St Helen’s Primary said: “The children have really enjoyed creating these items. When the cippus visited our school and was displayed alongside their work you could see the sense of pride in the faces of the pupils and their parents. They have loved the project and finding out more about ancient Egypt and it has definitely made them more curious.
A special event to launch the exhibition was attended by Swansea West MP Torsten Bell, schools and university representatives, volunteers and some of the youngsters whose work is now on show alongside The Egypt Centre’s own pieces, including a 3,200-year-old ostracon, a limestone fragment used for writing a letter.
Ancient Egypt: magic and medicine is open to the public now at The Egypt Centre between 10am and 6pm, Tuesday to Saturday until September 20.
