Unearth the Mysteries of Egypt in a Brand New Exhibition
Debuting at COSI Summer 2009
Columbus (December 11, 2008) &ndash LOST EGYPT: ANCIENT SECRETS, MODERN SCIENCE is a new exhibition created, designed and built by COSI. After several years in the making it will make its world debut May 30, 2009 in Columbus and be on display at COSI through September 7, 2009. Lost Egypt is an immersive quest for knowledge that reveals how archaeologists use modern science and technology to uncover and understand the ancient civilization of Egypt. Through hands-on challenges, authentic artifacts and guidance from real archaeologists, visitors will unearth the mysteries of Egypt, its culture and its people.
This interactive exhibit features a real human mummy and animal mummies, as well as scans, forensic facial reconstructions and for the first time ever, three life-size rapid prototypes, displaying the mummy in various stages of "unwrapping". Visitors can explore a recreation of a real tomb and the art and artifacts from the daily life and funerary culture of ancient Egypt. COSI traveled to Cairo and Luxor to work with and learn from some of the worlds’ foremost authorities on Egypt who are featured in the exhibition. Visitors will be able to connect with them through video interviews and photographs from the field.
“Lost Egypt makes an unforgettable connection between past and present customs, cultures and sciences. This exhibit is particularly inspiring for young people, illuminating the roles they can play as future archaeologists, scientists, engineers, technicians and life-long learners,” said David Chesebrough, President & CEO, COSI Columbus.
Lost Egypt explores how modern archaeologists use science and technology to uncover and understand the people and culture of ancient Egypt. The exhibit is divided into four content areas: Orientation Entrance, a modern Egyptian street scene transports visitors to Egypt where you will learn about some of the archeologists working in Egypt today. Field Site, where visitors can explore the tools, techniques, science and technologies used at the Lost City of the Pyramid Builders on the Giza Plateau. In Ancient Egyptian Culture you can see a human mummy, funerary artifacts and exhibits about the art and language of ancient Egypt. In the Laboratory, visitors will discover animal mummies, CT-scans of human and animal mummies, facial reconstructions and rapid prototypes of ancient Egyptians.
Exhibit Highlights:
• A real human mummy and three life-size rapid prototypes, displaying the mummy in various stages of "unwrapping", plus scans and forensic facial reconstructions of mummies.
• Animal mummies, plus scans and information about animals in ancient Egypt
• Art and artifacts from the daily life and funerary culture of ancient Egypt
• Connections to real scientists working on projects in Egypt, including video interviews, written graphics, objects and photographs from the field
• Connections to the scientific process used by archaeologists and other scientists, including hands-on challenges, interactive exhibits and technology
• Connections to how ancient Egyptian people and culture relate to us today
Lost Egypt will allow visitors to learn about archaeology and the work of archaeologists, including how science changes over time as new techniques are developed and new information is uncovered. Explore how mummies, artifacts and other material remains contribute to our scientific understanding of past cultures.
Lost Egypt: Ancient Secrets, Modern Science is presented locally by American Electric Power (AEP) with support from WesBanco and promotional support from PEPSI. Lost Egypt was produced by COSI in cooperation with the Science Museum Exhibit Collaborative, and was designed and built by the Science Museum of Minnesota. Artifacts are on loan from the Brooklyn Museum and The Academy of Natural Sciences. Photography © 2008 Brad Feinknopf. Mummy scans © 2005 Akhmim Mummy Studies Consortium. Exhibit is still in development; content subject to change.
