"Egypt in Columbus" - Ancient Egyptian Exhibits in Ohio

Egyptian artifacts and activities are coming to Columbus, Ohio in the spring and summer of 2009. If you want to take advantage of the Egypt craze this spring, but can't afford to go to the Columbus Museum of Art or the Columbus science center COSI, the local library is a free and fun alternative as well.

The Columbus Metropolitan Library and other libraries in the Columbus library system will participate in the program by holding activities of various sorts regarding Egypt. Activities begin in January and run through May. They include seminars, films, arts and crafts, and include adults and children alike. Participating locations can be found all over Columbus, so these activities are very accessible.

The Columbus Museum of art will be hosting an exhibit called "To Live Forever," with exhibits highlighting the importance the ancient Egyptians placed the afterlife. Artifacts will be coming from the Brooklyn Museum in New York and will include a mummy, coffins, jewelry, and funereal accessories the Egyptians used for body preservation. The mummy, sure to be a favorite of everyone's, was excavated from a cemetery in Hawara, Egypt in 1911 and is called Demetrios. The exhibit will include over one hundred more items, including urns and other things of interest. Obviously an emphasis will be placed on accessories having to do with death, because of the theme of the exhibit. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (60 years old or more), $8 for students who are eighteen or older and have a valid student identification card, $5 for children aged 6-17 years, and children under 5 years are free. Parking is free, and members of the museum also get free admission. Hours Tuesday through Sunday run from 10 A.M. through 5:30 P.M. On Thursdays the museum opens at the same time and closes at 8:30 P.M., and it is closed on Mondays. The exhibit opens on February 18, 2009 and ends June 7, 2009.

Meanwhile, COSI will have its share of Egyptian fun. Its exhibit entitled "Lost Egypt" will include a human mummy and various animal mummies. Their artifacts are also on loan from the Brooklyn Museum, except for a mummy and coffin which came from the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences. The COSI exhibit will include an interactive virtual unwrapping of a mummy, various videos, and various activities such as "building a pyramid" and virtually packing for an excavation. Exhibits will include amulets, urns, hieroglyphics, and even a Rosetta stone reproduction. One thing that will most likely be a family favorite is a darkened hallway replicating the look of a tomb - the hallway will feature Egyptian artwork from actual tombs. Other exhibits will place an emphasis on how modern science helps us learn about Egyptian artifacts and mummies. Scientists and researchers will also share their knowledge. " Lost Egypt" runs from May 30, 2009 through September 7, 2009.

The Egyptian artifacts and exhibits are something that Columbus residents do not often get the chance to see in their area. Refer to the official "Egypt in Columbus" site to learn more and buy tickets to any of the above listed exhibits.