EXHIBITION GUIDEBOOK EXHIBITION OPEN MAR 1–SEPT 2 exhibition opens nov 15, 2017 17TH & M STREETS NW | WASHINGTON, DC | 17TH & M STREETS NW | natgeomuseum.org | NATGEOMUSEUM.ORG NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MUSEUM STAFF CONTENTS Tracy R. Wolstencroft, President and CEO Mike Ulica, Chief Operations and Financial Officer Kathryn Keane, Director of the Museum Fredrik Hiebert, Curator and Archaeologist-in-Residence 5 6 Alan Parente, Creative Director, Exhibitions WELCOME FROM THE MEET THE Greg McGruder, Vice President of Live Events and Experiences MUSEUM QUEENS Tibor Acs, Multimedia and AV Manager DIRECTOR Erin Branigan, Exhibition Content Specialist Austin Braswell, Senior Graphic Designer Kallie Brennan, Visitor Experience Supervisor Ivan (Spanky) Campbell, Technical Coordinator 8 10 Catherine Clark, Exhibitions Coordinator NEFERTARI’S LIFE IN THE Seth de Matties, Traveling Exhibitions Manager HAREM Brianna DeOrsey, Group Sales Specialist TOMB Cynthia Doumbia, International Traveling Exhibitions Director Cole Fiala, Manager, International Traveling Exhibitions Kyle Garber, Visitorphoto Experience Manager 14 Charlette Hove, Exhibitions Designer 12 Lauren Ippolito, Exhibitions Manager THE LISTICLE OF MAJOR DEIR EL-MEDINA Lindsay Marcus, Museum and Ticketing Operations Manager GODDESSES THE CRAFTSMEN’S Edward Mooney, Exhibition Development Manager VILLAGE Ivo Morales, Museum Operations Manager Joel Persels, Technical Coordinator Allison Shelly, Visitor Experience Supervisor Brit Shoaf, Lead Exhibition Designer 18 Jeff Thomas, Print Production Technician 16 Q & A WITH Ellen Tozer, Store Manager DEATH & Jennifer Wallace, Museum Partnerships Director KARA COONEY MUMMIES EGYPTOLOGIST AND Special thanks to the Marketing and Engagement team, Wesley Della Volla, Gillian NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER Willman, Sonya Edelman, Vanessa Serrao, Daniella Thompson, and our Visitor Experience team. “Queens of Egypt” is an exhibition produced by Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Archaeology and History Complex and Museo Egizio, Turin, in partnership with the 20 National Geographic Society. We are grateful for the support of the Italian Embassy 22 and the Egyptian Embassy in Washington, D.C. IN THE FIELD WITH ABOUT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OUR PARTNERS GEOGRAPHIC Cover photo: Mark Thiessen MEDIA PARTNER HOSPITALITY PARTNER Nefertari makes offerings to gods Osiris and Atum, Tomb of Nefertari, Valley of the Queens, Thebes Photo: DeA Picture Library/Art Resource 2 BUY TICKETS TODAY NATGEOMUSEUM.ORG QUEENS OF EGYPT 3 Photo: Shutterstock Photo: Photo: Caroline Thibault Caroline Photo: | TRAVEL BEYOND THE EXHIBIT | Hale Rebecca Photo: WELCOME FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE MUSEUM For centuries, the world has been fascinated with the pharaohs of Egypt. The discovery of the intact tomb of Tutankhamun, nearly a century ago, ignited an obsession with ancient Egypt that continues to grow as increasingly sophisticated technologies allow us to explore even more about this incredible culture. The National Geographic Society has a long history of supporting the groundbreaking research of archaeologists, technologists, and conservationists working in the country. But despite decades of extraordinary findings in Egypt, not a single intact tomb of a royal woman has ever been located. There were many queens of Egypt—some of them with very familiar names like Nefertiti and Cleopatra—and yet little was widely known about them—until now. This immersive exhibition highlights the women of Egypt with a focus on the New Kingdom through the last queen, and pharaoh, Cleopatra VII. You will travel through over 1,400 years of history brought to life and learn from National Geographic Explorers about the discoveries that are changing what we know about this important ancient civilization. The exhibition features more than 300 artifacts from impressive collections like that of the renowned Museo Egizio in Turin, Italy. It also includes maps, images, multimedia, and an immersive 3-D theater that will transport you on a virtual journey through Queen Nefertari’s tomb. Though looted in antiquity, it is still one of the most elaborate tombs ever discovered in Egypt. Special thanks to the fine museums that are sharing their collections in this exhibition. These include the Museo Egizio in Turin, the Pointe-à-Callière Museum in Montreal, the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden in Leiden, Musées Royaux d’Art et WE CAN’T BRING THE SPHINX TO YOU, BUT WE CAN BRING YOU TO THE SPHINX. d’Histoire in Brussels, and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Additional thanks Navigate the timeless Nile on an all-inclusive National Geographic river cruise, and to the Italian Embassy and the Egyptian Embassy in Washington and to Kimpton explore some of the greatest wonders of the ancient world alongside our experts. Hotels for their support. Gaze up at the Pyramids of Giza, puzzle out hieroglyphics in the Valley of the Kings, meet National Geographic archaeologists working in the field, and more. We hope this exhibition inspires you to study and learn more about the past, which has so much to teach us about our shared human journey. Enjoy! Kathryn Keane DIRECTOR OF THE MUSEUM NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY For more information or to request a FREE catalog NATGEOEXPEDITIONS.COM | 1-888-966-8687 © 2019 National Geographic Partners, LLC. National Geographic EXPEDITIONS and the Yellow Border Design are trademarks of the National Geographic Society, used under license. QUEENS OF EGYPT 5 THE BEAUTIFUL ONE (1353–1332 B.C.) Nefertiti was married to Amenhotep IV, who later changed his name to Akhenaten. He was the 10th pharaoh of the 18th dynasty. MEET THE During his reign, Akhenaten radically altered Egypt’s polytheistic religion and established a new capital city called Amarna. Nefertiti played an important role in both the religious and political spheres QUEENS OF EGYPT and was regarded as the equal feminine counterpart of the king. AHMOSENEFERTARI HATSHEPSUT NEFERTITITHE BELOVED ONEISETNOFRET (1279-1255 B.C.) TIYE NEFETARI CLEOPATRA VII THE DIVINE ONE (1539–1514 B.C.) Nefertari was the first and most beloved queen of Ramses II, Ahmose-Nefertari was the first queen of the 18th dynasty and of the third pharaoh of the 19th dynasty. When she passed away the New Kingdom. She was a powerful and influential queen who after 20 years of marriage, Ramses wrote “Just by passing, she enjoyed widespread acclaim. After her death, she and her son has stolen away my heart.” He built her a temple at Abu Simbel, were deified in Deir el-Medina, where she was worshipped as a where several colossal standing statues of the queen decorate goddess of resurrection. its façade. Her tomb is one of the largest and most lavishly painted in the Valley of the Queens. THE PHARAOH (1479–1425 B.C.)AHMOSENEFERTARI HATSHEPSUT NEFERTITI ISETNOFRET TIYE NEFETARI CLEOPATRA VII (51-30 B.C.) AHMOSENEFERTARIHatshepsut reignedHATSHEPSUT as the fifth pharaoh of the 18th NEFERTITIdynasty. THEISETNOFRET LAST QUEEN TIYE NEFETARI CLEOPATRA VII Cleopatra VII was the last queen of ancient Egypt. In 47 B.C., she became Roman After her husband, Thutmose II, died, she became queen General Julius Caesar’s political ally and lover. When he was assassinated three years regent for her infant stepson. Within five years, Hatshepsut later, Cleopatra sought to strengthen Egypt’s position by allying herself was crowned pharaoh. To reinforce her power, she was with Roman General Mark Antony, who became her new lover. Roman often portrayed with masculine clothing and characteristics, ruler Octavian viewed the alliance as a growing threat. In 30 B.C., including a false beard. She ruled Egypt for 22 years and is he cornered Mark Antony and Cleopatra in the city of Alexandria, considered one of Egypt’s most successful pharaohs. where the pair committed suicide. Egypt lost its independence and became part of the Roman Empire. AHMOSENEFERTARI HATSHEPSUT NEFERTITI ISETNOFRET TIYE NEFETARI CLEOPATRA VII THE DIPLOMAT (1390–1340 B.C.) Illustrations: Austin Braswell Tiye was married to Amenhotep III, the ninth pharaoh of the 18th dynasty. She played a powerful role in diplomatic relations CLEOPATRA is the most iconic Egyptian queen represented in pop and gained a reputation as the true power behind the throne. culture. The list of leading ladies who have portrayed Cleopatra on film is AHMOSENEFERTARI HATSHEPSUT NEFERTITI ISETNOFRET TIYE NEFETARI CLEOPATRA VII Depictions of Tiye show that she was not a conventional beauty, a veritable who’s who of Hollywood stars but the actress that stands apart but she had a powerful physical presence. Her mummified from the crowd is Elizabeth Taylor, who played the role of Cleopatra in 1963. The film in which she starred, titled Cleopatra, is spectacular, with remains were found in the Valley of the Kings. huge sets, lavish costumes, and thousands of extras. It nearly bankrupted the studio, costing a whopping $44 million to make—more than $350 million today—making it one of the most expensive films of all time. AHMOSENEFERTARI HATSHEPSUT NEFERTITI ISETNOFRET TIYE NEFETARI CLEOPATRA VII 6 BUY TICKETS TODAY NATGEOMUSEUM.ORG Photo: Getty/Bettmann Archive NEFERTARI’S TOMB NEFERTARI’S NAME MEANS “BEAUTIFUL COMPANION,” and her husband, Pharaoh Ramses II, was clearly entranced by her beauty, calling her “she for whom the sun shines.” When she died around 1255 B.C., the pharaoh honored her by dedicating a temple to her at Abu Simbel, a massive temple complex along ancient Egypt’s southern border. He also had one of the largest and most elaborate royal tombs in the Valley of the Queens built