The Secrets of Tomb 10A: Egypt 2000 BC

In a 1915 excavation, archaeologists from the Harvard University–Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition discovered the entrance to a tomb at the picturesque site of Deir el-Bersha in Egypt. Inside, the MFA team found, in jumbled array, the largest burial assemblage of the Middle Kingdom (2040-1640 BC) ever discovered. The tomb, designated Tomb 10A, was filled with the funerary equipment of a local governor by the name of Djehutynakht and his wife, also named Djehutynakht. Robbers had stolen the finest jewels but left everything else, including the severed (but nicely wrapped and painted) head of one of the Djehutynakhts. The tomb contained four beautifully painted coffins, one of which, the famous "Bersha coffin" (the outer coffin of the governor), is arguably the finest painted coffin Egypt produced and a masterpiece of panel painting. Additionally, the tomb included the Djehutynakhts’ walking sticks, pottery, canopic jar, and miniature wooden models that were made for the burial but reflect life on Djehutynakht’s estate, including some 58 model boats and nearly three dozen models of daily life such as individual shops for carpenters, weavers, brick-makers, bakers, and brewers. Of these, the best known is the exquisitely carved "Bersha procession" of a male priest leading female offering bearers.

The contents of the Djehutynakhts’ tomb were awarded to the MFA by the Egyptian government and transported to Boston in 1920. En route, they nearly met with disaster when the ship that was carrying them caught fire. Thankfully, the crew averted disaster, and the material suffered only slight water damage. Following their arrival in Boston, the Museum put the Deir el-Bersha coffin and procession on view in the galleries, but most of the other objects have never been displayed before. Many of the models, in fact, were never fully conserved prior to the preparations for this exhibition.

"The Secrets of Tomb 10A: Egypt 2000 BC" introduces visitors to the concepts of the afterlife in the Middle Kingdom by taking a journey through the remarkable tomb of the Djehutynakhts and its many objects. It also offers an opportunity to gain insight into the fascinating era in which the couple lived by viewing sculptures, jewelry, furniture and other objects representing the high officials of their time.

The exhibition is sponsored by Bank of America.
The exhibition is supported by The Calderwood Charitable Foundation.
Additional support for the exhibition is provided by the Institute for Museum and Library Services.


Sunday, October 18, 2009 - Sunday, May 16, 2010

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The Secrets of Tomb 10A : Egypt 2000 BC
Hardcover
Secrets of Tomb 10A:
Egypt 2000 BC Softcover Catalogue
The Secrets of Tomb 10A: Egypt 2000 BC
Exhibition Poster
Egyptian Cat (Bastet) Sculpture
Relief of Akhenaten as a Sphinx
Hieroglyphics Tile
Heron of the Nile Art Tile
Eye of Horus Art Tile
Egyptian Cat Art Tile
Egypt Tea Towel
Egypt Stone Coaster Set/2
Egypt Stone Trivet
Egypt Exhibition Mug
Egyptian Couple Mug
Egyptian King, Queen and Dog Mug
Egyptian King and Two Gods Mug
Winged Isis Mug
Blue Small Falcon T-Shirt
Black Falcon T-Shirt
MEMBERS' DEAL OF THE WEEK
Blue Lotus Tie
MEMBERS' DEAL OF THE WEEK
Green Coffin Detail Tie
MEMBERS' DEAL OF THE WEEK
Blue Coffin Detail Tie
Lady of Neby Scarf
Green Eye of Horus Scarf
Red Eye of Horus Scarf
Blue Eye of Horus Scarf
Natural Eye of Horus Scarf
Egyptian Pattern Small Coin Purse
Egyptian Pattern Large Coin Purse
Egyptian Pattern Eyeglass Case
Lapis, Red and Green Aventurine Necklace
Green Aventurine Earrings
Lapis Tube Necklace
Lapis Tube Earrings
Egyptian Collar Necklace
Egyptian Triple Strand Bracelet
Egyptian Triple Strand Earrings
Egyptian Single Strand Necklace
Life, Health, Prosperity Necklace
Eye of Horus Necklace
Eye of Horus Earrings
Seba Star Necklace
Seba Star Earrings
Turquoise and Carnelian Lotus Necklace
Turquoise and Carnelian Lotus Bracelet
Turquoise and Carnelian Lotus Earrings
Red and Black Ellipse Necklace
Black Vintage Glass Necklace with Snake Clasp
Carnelian Scarab Pin
Egypt Embossed Ruled Journal
Art of Egypt Postcard Book
Egypt To Live Forever Note Card Folio
Egyptian Stories Note Cards
Egyptian Hieroglyphic Alphabet Mousemat
Eye of Horus Mousemat
Kids Yellow Egyptian Hieroglyphics T-Shirt
Kids Green Egyptian Hieroglyphics T-Shirt
3-D Egyptian Pyramid Puzzle
Egyptian Writing Set
Egyptian Tomb
Small Wooden Puzzle
3-D Egyptian Mysteries of the Pyramid Puzzle
MFA Pharoahs Art Cube
Egyptian Animals Art Cube
Ancient Egypt Playing Cards
The Art of Ancient Egypt Collectibles Playing Cards
Mystic Egyptian Dig and Play
Amazing Mummy Kit
Ancient Pyramid Kit
Egyptian Memory Game
Egyptian Stamp Set
Mummy in Sarcophagus
Egyptian Tut Bender
Egyptian Queen Doll
Egyptian God Anubis Doll
Egyptian Stick Umbrella
Egyptian Mini Umbrella
MFA Highlights
Arts of Ancient Egypt
World Architecture - Egypt
SPECIAL EDITION
Green Logo Egypt Reusable Tote
Black Logo Egypt Recyclable Tote
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