Lectures and Events Related to
THE QUEST FOR IMMORTALITY: TREASURES OF ANCIENT EGYPT September 10, 2004-January 23, 2005
Museum Field Trips
Schools may take advantage of an incredible opportunity for students to see real Egyptian artifacts. This exhibition offers lessons in science, history, and geography. A complete teacher’s guide can be found at www.dmns.org this fall. Some scholarships are available for low-income schools within the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD).
9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday
Special rates for school groups are $6 per student and $3 per adult chaperone of 10 students.
Programs at Schools
The assembly program “Unraveling Ancient Egypt” for grades 2–8 will travel to schools this fall. The program serves up to 150 students at a time.
$195 and up
Night of the Pharaohs, A Museum Benefit
Experience an evening you’ll never forget while supporting education programs at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Marvel at The Quest for Immortality on opening night at this gala made possible thanks to the generosity of Qwest Communications. Honorary pharaohs include Denver Mayor and honorary chair John Hickenlooper, event chair Nancy Sevo, and corporate chair Jim Ruh. For information or to make a reservation, call (303) 370-6319.
Friday, September 10, 6:30-11 p.m.
Tickets: $250 and up, corporate packages available
Burial Customs in Ancient Egypt: IMAX Film and Lecture
Gayle Gibson, Egyptologist, Royal Ontario Museum First view the IMAX film Mysteries of Egypt. Then in her lecture, Gibson focuses on ancient Egyptian burial customs and attitudes regarding death, providing excellent background for the exhibition.
Friday, September 17, 11:30 a.m.
Ricketson Auditorium
$10 member, $13 nonmember, $8 student
Teacher Professional Development Class: Ancient Egyptian Life Through Death
(Most appropriate for teachers of grades 4 and up)
Teachers experience the exhibition firsthand as they tour with Museum experts. Guest speakers highlight the nuances of life and death for the ancient Egyptians. Educators gain insights into the netherworld of ancient Egypt while participating in hands-on activities using real Egyptian artifacts.
Saturday, September 18, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
$55 noncredit, $80 credit (Registration begins mid-June)
How to Read an Egyptian Coffin
Gayle Gibson, Egyptologist, Royal Ontario Museum
The secrets of beautifully decorated mummy coffins are explored in this daylong workshop. Learn about the elements of coffins, coffin decorations, and changing artistic styles and how these relate to the wrapping of mummies, prayers, deities, historical events, and changes in religion. By the end of the day, you’ll know how to read, date and appreciate an ancient Egyptian coffin.
Saturday, September 18, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Classroom 301
$40 member, $50 nonmember
Major Themes of The Quest for Immortality: Treasures of Ancient Egypt
Dr. Betsy Bryan, professor of Egyptian art and archaeology, Johns Hopkins University, and curator of the exhibition
The Egyptians visualized their afterlife as a better version of their life on Earth, but they also knew that anything worth having was attained through struggle. The story of how the sun god triumphed over his evil enemies in the netherworld is the inspiration for The Quest for Immortality. This overview presents Egyptian art that illustrates the story and how it motivated the Egyptians to prepare for their next great journey—to eternity.
Tuesday, September 21, 7:00 p.m.
Phipps IMAX Theater
$10 member, $13 nonmember, $8 student
Egypt and Amelia Peabody
Dr. Barbara Mertz, Egyptologist, also known as novelist Elizabeth Peters
Mertz always intended to be an archaeologist. She holds a doctorate in Egyptology from the famed Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago. But the times were not favorable for women in the archaeology profession, and life got in the way. While raising her children, Mertz began to write popular books on Egypt under her own name, and mystery novels under the pseudonyms Barbara Michaels and Elizabeth Peters. In this lecture, she discusses her most popular series, about Victorian archaeologist Amelia Peabody and her adventures in Egypt.
Monday, September 27, 7:00 p.m.
Phipps IMAX Theater
$18 member, $22 nonmember
Family Museum Camp-in: Mysteries of Egypt
Bring your sleeping bag, toothbrush, comb and a change of clothes and be prepared for a memorable family experience. During your camp-in adventure, explore the exhibition The Quest for Immortality: Treasures of Ancient Egypt, enjoy the Mysteries of Egypt IMAX film, and participate in interesting activities and workshops. Then camp out by the Museum dioramas!
September 25–26 or October 30–November 1
$30 per person
Women in the New Kingdom
Dr. Emily Teeter, research associate, The Oriental Institute, University of Chicago
Women played an important part in Egyptian society more than 4,000 years ago. They were wives and mothers, but they also had essentially the same legal status as men, with rights that were unknown to women elsewhere in the ancient world. This slide-illustrated lecture describes the life of women in ancient Egypt, regarding education, legal rights and lifestyle.
Tuesday, October 5, 7:00 p.m.
Phipps IMAX Theater
$10 member, $13 nonmember, $8 student
The Valley of the Kings Since Tutankhamun
Ibrahim Soliman, director of Karnak and former chief inspector, Valley of the Kings
Most people believe that excavation in the Valley of the Kings ceased with the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun by Howard Carter in 1922. However, archaeological activity continues throughout the Valley of the Kings as new excavations, restorations and consolidations are undertaken. Soliman discusses his many years as chief inspector in the Valley of the Kings and the discoveries made there since Tutankhamun.
Monday, October 11, 7:00 p.m.
Phipps IMAX Theater
$12 member, $15 nonmember
Introduction to Ancient Egypt
Dennis McDonald, Bill Petty, and David Pepper, Egyptian Study Society
Learn the history of ancient Egypt beginning with the unification of Egypt and the Archaic period and concluding with Cleopatra’s suicide and the onset of Roman rule. Additional topics include the Egyptian calendar, hieroglyphics, mummification, and funerary practices.
Mondays & Wednesdays, October 25-November 8, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Classroom 301
$90 member, $105 nonmember
A Forgotten Queen’s Quest for Immortality
Dr. Richard Wilkinson, professor and director, University of Arizona Egyptian Expedition
More than 3,000 years ago—long before Cleopatra—a mysterious Egyptian queen who ruled as a king began to build a memorial temple to immortalize herself, according to ancient Egyptian beliefs. But the temple has been forgotten over the centuries and little is known of this powerful queen. This talk is the first public lecture to discuss very recent excavations of Ta-usert’s Memorial Temple in Thebes, which are throwing new light on one of Egypt’s most fascinating queens and her desire to gain immortality.
Tuesday, October 26, 7:00 p.m.
Phipps IMAX Theater
$10 member, $13 nonmember, $8 student
The British Museum, Adventures in Egypt, and a Roving Commission
T.G.H. James, Egyptologist and former keeper of antiquities, The British Museum
James’s whole adult career has been spent on activities related to ancient Egypt. Within a few months of graduating from university, he was engaged in fieldwork in Egypt. From 1951-1988, he served in the Egyptian Department of The British Museum and had exceptional opportunities to encounter the serious—and crazy—concerns of colleagues and members of the public. Since retirement he has been actively engaged in writing and lecturing about Egypt. No one has more good Egypt stories than this witty, wise and very popular storyteller.
Tuesday, November 9, 7:00 p.m.
Phipps IMAX Theater
$12 member, $15 nonmember
Mummification: Resurrection of an Ancient Art
Dr. Bob Brier, author, TV commentator, and professor of philosophy, Long Island University
In 1994, Brier made international headlines as the first person in 2,000 years to create a modern mummy using ancient Egyptian methods, with tools and materials acquired in Egypt. Brier discusses what he has learned about the purposes and procedures of the ancient art of mummification.
Wednesday, November 10, 7:00 p.m.
Phipps IMAX Theater
$12 member, $15 nonmember
The Legacy of the Pharaohs
Dr. James Jankowski, professor emeritus in history, University of Colorado
What meaning does the pharaonic legacy have for modern Egyptians? How have the archaeological finds of the 19th and 20th centuries influenced the sense of identity of today’s Egyptians? What role does the past play in the contested issue of Egyptian nationalism? This lecture explores the relevance of the ancient past to today’s culture.
Tuesday, November 30, 7:00 p.m.
Ricketson Auditorium
$10 member, $13 nonmember, $8 student
The Life and Times of Thutmose III
Dr. Bill Petty, president, Museum Tours
Before Cleopatra, before Ramesses II, before Tutankhamun, there was Thutmose III. While not as famous as some of his successors, he is generally regarded by Egyptologists as Egypt’s greatest pharaoh. Petty explains that although Thutmose III was not born to rule, he assumed the throne as a young child, ruled for 54 years, and was revered as a scholar, a warrior and a benevolent king.
Monday, December 6, 7 p.m.
Phipps IMAX Theater
$10 member, $13 nonmember, $8 student
New Year’s Eve Camp-In Bash: Mysteries of Egypt
Ring in the new year at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science in a unique overnight program—for kids only. Bring your sleeping bag, toothbrush, comb, and a change of clothes and be prepared for a great time. Explore the exhibition The Quest for Immortality: Treasures of Ancient Egypt, enjoy the Mysteries of Egypt IMAX film, and participate in interesting activities and workshops. Watch fireworks from the Anschutz Family Sky Terrace. Then camp out by the Museum dioramas!
December 31–January 1
For children 8–12 years old, $45 per child
To register for any of these programs, call 303.322.7009.
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