Evolution of museology in Egypt : an international comparative study of ancient Egyptian exhibitions

Abstract

This paper proposes that Egyptian museology and archaeology have been primarily shaped and influenced by foreigners. Because foreigners have dominated the presentation of ancient Egyptian history through archaeology and museum displays, Egyptian cultural heritage has been one that is presented from different viewpoints other than those of the Egyptians themselves. In the past few decades many native Egyptians have become involved in the fields of archaeology and museology. Changes are taking place in the way ancient Egyptian antiquities are being displayed and managed within all museums in Egypt. This project aims to illustrate the development of museum display of ancient Egyptian archaeological antiquities from the earliest development of the Egyptian Museum which was originally built and controlled by foreigners, to other newer museums which have been more influenced by Egyptian professionals, such as the Alexandria National Museum and the Nubian Museum in Aswan. As a corollary, a comparative analysis of the British Museum's ancient Egyptian collection will be used as a comparative means of identifying any differing methods of display in foreign museums. The presentation of these observations will illustrate just how rapidly the science of museum studies is developing in the field of Egyptology.