When thinking of a place to start an adventure into the history of ancient Egypt, Worcester may be one of the last spots you’d think of. The pyramids and pharaohs of that ancient civilisation are worlds apart from Worcester’s cathedrals and governors.
Still, there are ways to enjoy ancient Egypt from the city. Indeed, the Worcester Museum is packed full of interesting artefacts from that intriguing period of history.
Worcester’s Egyptian Treasures
For anyone who wants to get a taste of ancient Egypt in Worcester, the best place to go is Worcester Museum. The site is packed full of various treasures from the distant past, discovered by archaeologists and then preserved for today’s onlookers. This is thanks to the fact that Worcester was a prominent donor to excavation missions in Egypt during the early 20th Century.
One of the most intriguing objects that you can see at the museum is the Shabti figure. This was believed to have been used during funerals in ancient Egyptian times and was placed on tombs as gifts for the afterlife. Some of the other items on display include a collar necklace, an 18th Dynasty pot, and a clay pot from Cemetery A.
Egypt Continues to Capture Our Imagination
It’s amazing how a civilisation from more than 2000 years ago can still receive so much attention in today’s society, but the fascination with ancient Egypt lives on. One of the ways that it has been kept alive has been through the entertainment industry, with countless offerings based on those times being produced over the centuries.
This dates back to the days of William Shakespeare, who wrote the play Antony and Cleopatra back in 1607. In cinema, 1963’s Cleopatra is one of the seminal works, and it influenced many others like it. There are also other franchises like The Mummy that have helped keep ancient Egypt alive in entertainment.
The gaming industry is awash with ancient Egyptian themes too, many taking inspiration from the grand settings associated with that bygone era. Assassin’s Creed Origins is just one of the most notable titles to be set among the pyramids. People who play online casino games tend to encounter a lot of options too. These include titles like Legacy of Dead, Book of Tut Megaways, and Golden Glyph 3.
Are There Any Historians or Archaeologists from Worcester?
While there aren’t any world-famous Egyptologists from Worcester, one of the greatest names of all time has a connection to the city. Sir Alan Gardiner was the Laycock Fellow of Egyptology at Worcester College, Oxford. That famous educational establishment was founded by Sir Thomas Cookes of Worcestershire. Gardiner worked on Egyptian hieroglyphs and penned the influential work, Egyptian Grammar.
Nowadays, there are so many sources for people who want to discover their passion for ancient Egypt. Worcester is a great place to start, as the museum has some excellent things to see. From there, it’s possible to go further on this journey using online games and other sources to explore the period.
Article written by David Anderson
