There is a widely known comment of Herodotus goes, “Egypt is the gift from the Nile.” Abundant antiquities as the witness of this 4000-year brilliant civilization are left behind, allowing us to find and admire the history and culture of ancient Egypt. For the first 800 years of Pharaonic period, ancient Egyptians were able to develop their religion, art and political system independently, barely interrupted nor invaded by outside world. Great pyramids became the visible monuments of the power of Old Kingdom’s Pharaohs, as well as the grandeur of early Egyptian civilization. The Pharaohs from New Kingdom were enthusiastic for expanding the territories of the empire. But they attributed all their successes to the gods from Nile valley. These gods’ temples therefore became the main construction projects for almost all New Kingdom pharaohs. At the same time, numerous wealth was dedicated to these temples and gods resided in them. Temples consequently became the center of wealth, wisdom and culture. Another special development of religion in New Kingdom was popular religion, which is also the main subject of this exhibition.

Goddess Maat represented order, justice and harmony, the basic conception of Ancient Egyptian Philosophy. In Egyptians’ opinion, the most harmonious society required each individual behaving in accordance with the rules of Maat.

There are 36 items on display. Most of them are made from stone, the most “permanent” material ancient Egyptians ever knew. They believed that each spirit of deceased would become the attendant of sun god Re, who led them to rise on horizon every morning and to acquire eternal life. Preparing for the permanent afterlife was the biggest concern of ancient Egyptians. That’s why they exhausted their intellect and skills to produce pyramids, temples, coffins, statues, ushabtis, and numerous other great artworks.