Egypt. Three Millennia on the Nile – until October 15, 2023

Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal’s Archaeology and History Complex, presents

Egypt. Three Millennia on the Nile

All Photos: Caroline Thibault, © Pointe-à-Callière, Cité d’archéologie et d’histoire de Montréal

Covering 3,000 years of history on the shores of the Nile, from the civilization’s very beginning to the Roman conquest, the exhibition features 320 authentic objects — in a North American exclusive — from the collection of the Museo Egizio in Turin (Italy), one of the largest collections in the world. Visitors will learn that Egyptian civilization has not yet revealed all its mysteries… and still has many surprises in store!

“We are honoured and proud to share this historical journey with Montréal this summer, showcasing these exceptional masterpieces of the heritage of humankind. The exhibition Egypt. Three Millennia on the Nile paints an up-to-date portrait of ancient Egypt, putting a human face on this age-old society. This will also be an opportunity to reach out and get closer to Montrealers from the Egyptian community.” – Anne Élisabeth Thibault, Executive Director, Pointe-à-Callière

Life in Ancient Egypt

The history of ancient Egypt is not simply concerned with that of palaces and pharaohs but also focuses on the men and women who lived, loved, enjoyed themselves, worked, and died with the hope of a life beyond this one. A refined rural people, with good-natured customs and strong traditions, and a monogamous extended family at the heart of it all.

Learn about a few distinctive characteristics of this society, in which a child’s entry into the world was considered a gift from the gods… in which respect for one’s parents was a fundamental value… and in which women enjoyed greater freedom than most of their counterparts in the rest of the ancient world.

People, at the Heart of the Exhibition

This exhibit brings ancient Egyptian artisans, farmers, fishers, scribes, priests, and pharaohs back to life, shining a spotlight on how Egyptian society and power were organized, as well as on the key role that common people played in the emergence and perseverance of this remarkable civilization. Tools, everyday objects, and jewelry will be displayed alongside sculptures and monumental statues, sarcophagi, stelae, and mummies throughout the immersive exhibition layout.

Animals and Divinities

The Egyptians had a unique relationship with animals, which were omnipresent in their daily lives and religious beliefs. Practiced since the Predynastic Period, animal worship was one of the main characteristics of Egyptian religion. Animals, associated with divinities based on their physical or behavioural attributes, were not venerated for themselves. Rather, they were considered manifestations of the gods, acting as intermediaries between gods and humans.

This worship and the zoomorphic representation of gods distinguish the Egyptians from all other peoples, notably their Greek, Persian, and Roman conquerors.

Light-hearted

The pharaoh’s primary mission was to ensure justice, harmony, order, and balance. This concept was at the centre of the Egyptians’ understanding of the universe. As the foundation of social cohesion, the pharaoh encouraged people to live in peace and to contribute to the collective well-being. Egyptians hoped their hearts would be lighter than a feather when being judged by Osiris, after death. Their goal was to create a life worth living… for eternity.

Publication: Egypt. Three Millennia on the Nile
This lavishly illustrated, 64-page book-magazine will extend your immersion into the heart of ancient Egyptian society! It features magnificent objects from the Museo Egizio, in addition to several iconographic representations to accompany the text by eminent Egyptologists. The publication takes an accessible approach to the exhibition’s major themes.

Lecture: The role of animals in the Egyptian imagination
Held in French on October 1st at 11am and 1pm
Enter the Egyptian imagination with professor Jean Revez who will discuss the role that animals played.

For opening hours and ticket prices, visit: www.pacmusee.qc.ca