Ancient Worlds
Due to open late Oct 2012
In 2012, to mark the centenary of the first Egypt gallery to be opened at the Museum, we are planning on opening Ancient Worlds - three new galleries highlighting our collections from Manchester and the region, and from ancient civilizations such as Greece, Rome and Egypt. It is 25 years since the galleries were last changed and it is time for an update. Ancient Worlds will showcase the best of our outstanding archaeology collections and reveal the people behind the objects: who made them, who used them, who lost and re-discovered them, who collected, classified and interpreted them. In order to make way for these new galleries Ancient Egypt is now closed. Objects have been removed from Archaeology but you can still walk through it to get to our other galleries. You’ll be able to see many of the removed objects in our temporary exhibition Unearthed: Ancient Egypt, which will run until 6 Sep 2012.
Discovering Archaeology
The first gallery, (currently Ancient Egypt Daily Life) will be about our relationship with the past, how we know about it through a wide range of archaeological techniques, and how our understanding is coloured by the world today. The feel will be one of discovery and exploration: a stimulating 'Resource Centre' full of intriguing information.
Egyptian World
The second gallery (currently Ancient Egypt Death and the Afterlife) will take visitors on a journey through the landscape, customs and practices of the ancient Egyptians. We know people are fascinated by ancient Egypt and the new displays will bring this key period and place to life in a dramatic and thought-provoking way.
Exploring Objects
The third gallery (upstairs - currently the Mediterranean Archaeology gallery) will reveal the full richness of our archaeology collections through 'visible storage' with a difference. Dense displays will allow a broader range of objects to be on show. Imaginative grouping of artefacts will invite visitors to consider new approaches to understanding the past.
Find out more
You can keep up to date about the redevelopment through our Ancient World blog and by asking our Visitor Services staff when you visit the Museum.
The new Ancient Worlds galleries are supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund, The Garfield Weston Foundation, The Monument Trust, The Headley Trust, The Stavros Niarchos Foundation, The Foundation for Sport and the Arts, The Barker Foundation, The Charlotte Bonham-Carter Charitable Trust and by the exhibition TUTANKHAMUN-HIS TOMB AND HIS TREASURES.
