Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale / Her infinite variety
—Shakespeare
The quote, above, summarized how I felt, walking like a proud Egyptian, as I traveled in Time, at the museum. Admiring the many marvels of Ancient Egyptian culture on display — I understand the global fascination with our glorious history and why Egypt is called the Cradle of Civilizations.
Stepping closer to examine the awe-inspiring art and relics featured, I find myself thinking: O, those wily pharaohs! They got their wish, after all, and achieved life after death...
Here we are, thousands of years later, and we're still visiting them and inspired by their ancient wisdom and "infinite variety" as the Bard put it. They knew that in Beauty there is Divinity and the artworks on display make these long-gone people come alive, revealing their humanity and refinement.
Humbling stuff...
As an Egyptian, did I feel that I was in the presence of my ancestors?
Yes, strange to say, I did! When I stood before the Fayoum mummy portraits —with their large haunting eyes—time collapsed & I might have been flipping through a family photo album.
Fascinating to learn that most of these Fayoum portraits were, actually, painted while the persons were still alive and then the portraits were attached to the faces of bodies that were mummified for burial (so that the deceased might recognize their body & return to it in the afterlife).
I do hope you enjoy the virtual tour, below, of our great, fabled Past:
As a companion piece to this, in order to delve deeper into the mind, heart and soul of Ancient Egyptians, I invite you to read my post about: Ancient & Contemporary Egyptian Wit & Wisdom featuring their timeless proverbs and sayings found in the outer and inner temples of Luxor, on the walls as well as monuments.
Here's a little peek:
