The Egyptian civilisation has long been admired and imitated, since
the Ancient times, but it seems that there is much more to be known, as
the show
[Ägyptens versunkene Schätze]
hosted at the
Kunst- und Ausstellungshalle der Bundesrepublik Deutschland
proves. This time, curators have focused on several pieces, most of them
real treasures, found underwater by the French archaeologist
Franck Goddio.
Over the years, Goddio explored the seabed near the coast of modern day
Alexandria and the Bay of Abukir. In ten years the passionate researcher
managed to recover an impressive number of artefacts, from 700 - 800 AD,
important testimonies of Egyptian culture. Some of these pieces have
been carefully prepared and exhibited in the show at the museum in
Bonn.
Most of this artworks and objects have sank into the sea due to
several natural disasters, and range from monumental statues to coins,
jewellery, cult items. Despite being in the water for centuries, some of
these have miraculously survived very well. The explorations of Franck
Goddio also led to the rediscovery and re-evaluation of important
historical places, such as the ancient port of Alexandria with it's
quarters, the city of Herakleion or the city of Canopus. In whole,
around 500 artefacts have been chosen for the Bonn exhibition, a huge
number for such rare and beautiful pieces, covering over 1500 years of
Egyptian history, from the last of the Pharaohs to the times of
Alexander the Great and the Greek and Roman eras. The quality of the
craftsmanship, the uniqueness of the works are representative for the
level achieved in the past by the three cities, which were major
cultural, trade and religious centres, influential throughout the
region. Also, the ancient Egyptian culture and art were deeply
influenced by the Greeks and the Romans, so the result was a new and
interesting way of living and creating, that in it's turn will change
the history and evolution of the region.
The show hosted by the museum in Bonn is a chance of discovering an
important and rather mysterious chapter in the history of Egypt, and so
far the number of visitors has proven it to be a success.
