Egyptian Exhibits in Chicago

Egypt's ancient culture is fascinating to learn about. There are two great exhibitions in Chicago that can enlighten you about life in Egypt 5,000 years ago. The Field Museum has an ancient tomb, mummies, and artifacts, along with fascinating ancient mythology. The Alder Planetarium projects a simulation of the starry skies as they would have looked 5,000 years ago. Make a study of ancient Egypt by visiting these two Chicago landmarks.

The Field Museum
1400 South Lake shore Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60605
312-922-9410
Admission: Adult $12, Children $7

Inside Ancient Egypt
Inside Ancient Egypt studies the ancient culture of the Egyptians. In Paranoiac Egypt, there was a preoccupations with the Afterlife, which was revealed by their strong desire for a continuation of vitality. The exhibits takes visitors thought a study of the twin themes of death and life through architecture, art, technology, religion and daily existence. The Egyptian society was filled with contradictions. It was a society with elites, bureaucrats and slaves. Women and men were legally equal. Diverse religions and ethnic groups were welcomed and assimilated. The exhibit studies the evolution of burial customs as they reflect the transformation of Egyptian culture.

Explore an Ancient Tomb: The Tomb of Unis-Ankh.
Unis-Ankh was the royal son of King Unis, who was the last pharaoh of the Fifth dynasty ((ruling family) of Egypt. This royal son died in around 2,400 BC, more than 1,000 years before the famous King Tutankhamen was born. As a member of the royal family, Unis-Ankh was mummified and buried in a limestone Tomb. This type of tomb is called a mastaba. Mastaba means "bench" in Arabic. Mastabas have a unique bench shaped form, with a rectangular base, sloping sides, and flat roof. This tomb was originally located in the shadow of the pyramid of his father, who was the Pharaoh. This was customary at the time. The pyramid was located in the western desert, near what is now Cairo.