Wednesday, May 21, 2008

R is for Rosicrusian Museum on ABC Wednesday



Did I go to Egypt? I wish...
In the middle of Silicon Valley is this interesting Egyptian museum called the Rosicrusian Museum. It has been here since 1928 when the founder of the Rosicrusian Order decided to have the headquarter here. To read more about its history, click here.



This is the recreation of King Tutankhamun's coffin. He became king at 9 years-old and died about 18. The two emblems held in the king's hands are symbols of kingship, showing his dominion over the lands of Upper and Lower Egypt. His false beard was added as a sign of royal power. It is curved at the end to indicate that the young pharaoh has become a god in the afterlife.



This is a tomb replica based on actual examples at Beni Hasan, Egypt. It includes elements from tombs of both the Middle Kingdom (2066-1659 BC) and the New Kingdom (1549-1069 BC).Beni Hasan is an important site because it contains burials of many regional governors. This reproduction was created from the photographs and measurements taken during the 1939 Rosicrucian Order Camera Expedition.
One can take the self-guided tour or the guided tour through the "tomb". I chose the guided tour so all the hieroglyphics and paintings could be explained.



You will see the Thutmosis III statue if you enter the museum from the garden. He ruled Egypt for almost 54 years and established himself as a great builder responsible for over 50 temples.


To see more ABC Wednesday photos, go to Mrs. Nesbitt's blog.

- AV

19 comments:

Lynette said...

This is so neat. Museums are such wonders.

Juliana RW said...

wow..you have great shots on that R museum...

Will you visit mine Thanks

photowannabe said...

Its been years since I visited that meuseum. Its the closest I will probably get to Egypt.
Great shots and good information.

FO - 2 said...

Great R post!
Interesting. Egypt in the middle of Silicon Valley.
Good shots as well.

My R

Miss_Yves said...

Very original post !
Miss Yves

Liz Hinds said...

Very interesting post. What a short life Tut had.

dot said...

Very nice shots from the museum. Sounds like a really interesting place.

TwD said...

Interesting...I haven't been in Egipt even it's not so far away from Sweden; they say that there is crowdy, noisy and smells urin near the pyramids. So may-be it's better to come to US and visit that museum ? LOL

Unknown said...

Very interesting post and lovely pictures too! Great R post.

Rune Eide said...

Makes me want to go to Egypr for the real Tut! Thank you for the accompanying history!

Paulie said...

What an educational tour! I enjoyed learning a little more and seeing the photos.

Petunia said...

Great R post!

Petunia's ABC

Leslie: said...

Gee, I never would have thought there'd be something like this in the middle of the Silicon Valley. Wow! You can learn a lot even through replicas. Well done! :D

Mrs Mac said...

My partner went to the Tutankhamen exhibition in London last month (with a coach load of kids- he's a junior-school teacher)- I was very jealous. I love history and spend hours whenever I go to a museum.

Is that the hippo god in the top picture?

kml said...

You have some great shots - the coffin came out really good!

Anonymous said...

Those are beautiful and humbling photographs. you have caught the majesty and importance of the statues.

Alan said...

Well, that is quite interesting. Who knew? I'll have to visit if I'm ever out that way, we love Egyptian history and artifacts.

mrsnesbitt said...

I learn so much each Wednesday!
Totally fascinating!

Neva said...

I find it amazing that they all died out and nothing but tombs and Hieroglyphics are left....wonder what happened to all that knowledge?
Mine ishere
As well as here