British Museum To Exhibit Artefacts From Lost, Sunken Egyptian Cities
The Sunken Cities exhibition, opening this week at the British Museum, has more than a touch of Antlantian myhtology to it. The show collects together a series of artefacts from two lost ancient Egyptian cities; Thonis-Heracleion and Canopus. Submerged by the Mediterranean for thousands of years, these two cities lay at the mouth of the River Nile, and were a trade hub for the ancient world, a place where cultures from across the globe would mingle, barter and gossip.
The cities have been excavated by archelogist Franck Goddio over the last 20 years, Goddio finding incredible discoveries buried deep in the ocean. From the British Museum website –
"the stunning objects in the exhibition range from magnificent colossal statues to intricate gold jewellery. Sacred offerings and ritual objects reveal the cult of Osiris – the god of the underworld who held the promise of eternal life. They tell stories of political power and popular belief, myth and migration, gods and kings. Journey through centuries of encounters between two celebrated cultures, meeting iconic historical figures such as Alexander the Great, Cleopatra, Hadrian and Antinous on the way."
Sunken Cities runs from 19 May – 27 November 2016, with tickets costing £16.50 for an adult, or £13 concessions. Check out the goosebump enducing trailer below…