UNESCO will showcase the project for a National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) in a stand at the exhibition of Egyptian antiquities from underwater excavations, Trésors engloutis d’Égypte, that opens at the Grand Palais in Paris on 9 December [2006]. Due to open in Old Cairo in 2009, the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization will cover all of Egyptian civilization from prehistoric times to the present through a multidisciplinary approach that will highlight both tangible and intangible heritage.

Situated in a park featuring archaeological remains and an open air auditorium, the museum, designed by a team led by Egyptian architect El Ghazzali Kosseiba, overlooks the Ain Al Seera Lake.

The museum collections will be displayed in a core exhibition of the principle achievements of Egyptian civilization; six thematic galleries (Dawn of Civilization, The Nile, Writing; State and Society, Material Culture, Beliefs and Thinking) and the Gallery of Royal Mummies. Cultural events and festivals will be organized in galleries for temporary exhibitions, and the museum will also serve as an education and research centre...

This is the exhibition that was, until recently, at the Martin-Gropius-Bau Museum, Berlin. The exhibition catalogue can be obtained from Amazon here: , Franck Goddio, Prestel, 2006.

UNESCO presents project for National Museum of Egyptian Civilization at exhibition of Egyptian antiquities in Paris, Isabelle Le Fournis, UNESCO, France, December 05, 2006.

After 24 years of research, [Necia Desiree] Harkless presents a comprehensive history of the great forgotten civilizations of Africa. This important history is significant to all Americans as it will help readers "understand the contributions of the civilization of Africa and Asia as a continuous historical entity," she says.

The rich history of this culture began in 2500 B.C. with the kingdom of Kerma. Harkless tracks its origins as well as its thriving success through 750 B.C., when the Nubian Pharaohs conquered Egypt. They ruled for 100 years until the Assyrians conquered Egypt and forced them to retreat to their Kingdom of Napatan.

Harkless shares their complete history through the Meroe, the last empire of the Kush. The Meroitic dynasties reigned for 40 generations as a people separate from Egyptian culture, developing their own language and script. Through research of recent archaeological campaigns, including the investigations of more than 200 pyramids and cemeteries, Harkless shares new information about the architecture, art and politics of the civilization. Many of their accomplishments surpassed those of Egypt, she says. "It is an epic that will long be remembered..."

, Necia Desiree Harkless, AuthorHouse, USA, 2006, pp. 232 (paperback).

History of a Lost Civilization: African Kingdoms of Kush Explored in New Book, PRNewswire, USA, December 05, 2006.

cf. The author's website: Necia Desiree Harkless.