'Excavating Egypt': The Findings Of The Real Indiana Jones At Albany Institute

ALBANY, N.Y.

:With support from General Electric as presenting sponsor, the Albany Institute of History and Art will host a world-class traveling exhibition "Excavating Egypt," beginning January 21, showcasing important Egyptian treasures from the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology in London. Many of the artifacts in the exhibit's North American tour have never been seen by the public.

Wallace Altes, chair of the museum's board of trustees, said, "The American imagination has recently been seized by a new wave of interest in ancient Egypt. We are also enormously proud to be the first Northeast museum to present the exhibition."

"Excavating Egypt" tells the story of archaeologist William Matthew Flinders Petrie (1853-1942) and his exploration of ancient Egyptian civilization.

Petrie worked in Egypt for more than half a century and is considered the "Father of Egyptian Archaeology" for his innovations and contributions to the field. He was also the inspiration for the film hero "Indiana Jones."

"Excavating Egypt" features 221 of Petrie's most significant finds, including a fragment of mankind's first calendar (2900 BC); the earliest examples of metalwork in Egypt; the earliest examples of glazing; the oldest wills, written on papyrus; the first worked iron beads; the oldest bead-net dress; the earliest "cylinder seal" in Egypt (3500 BC); and Ancient Egyptian masons' models for pyramids.

Drawing upon archival material including photographs, excavation notes and personal journals, the exhibition brings to life the science of archaeology during its infancy and offers a window into the lives of ancient Egyptians, both royal and commoner. It also focuses on the history of archaeology in Egypt and showcases Petrie's innovative methods and theories.

The exhibition was organized by the Michael C. Carlos Museum of Emory University in cooperation with the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, University College London.

"Excavating Egypt" will run through June 4 at the Albany Institute, the only Northeast venue for the exhibition this year. The Albany Institute of History and Art is at 125 Washington Avenue. For information 518-463-4478 or www.albanyinstitute.org.