Egypt is a country so ancient that scientists have long abandoned attempts to determine its age. The history of Egypt can be traced back to about 5 thousand years ago, these data are obtained from the results of archaeological excavations. It is known that the famous pyramids, the tombs of the Egyptian pharaohs, were built in the middle of the third millennium BC. e. The age of the pyramids is four and a half thousand years. And the whole culture of Egypt, architecture and art are covered with antiquity.
In order to systematize the archaeological values of Egypt and make the history of this country accessible to the general public, the Egyptian Hall of the Hermitage was created in St. Petersburg, designed for mass visits. This event took place on the initiative of the chief architect of the Hermitage A. V. Sivkov in 1940.
The hall is located on the first floor, at the end of the suite of the right wing. The exposition was based on rarities of Egyptian culture, brought to St. Petersburg by the curator of the Hermitage V. G. Bock in 1889 and 1898. Most of the ancient objects were found by the scientist in the monasteries of the city of Sohaga and in the Bagauat necropolis. In the monastery cellars, the museum's envoys found a lot oftreasures of historical value, and numerous household items of ordinary Egyptians were buried in the tombs of the necropolis.
A special certificate on behalf of the Egyptian government made it possible to take most of the exhibits to Russia, and thus the Egyptian Hall of the Hermitage received an interesting extensive exposition, which still attracts hundreds of tourists from all over the world.
The exposition was placed in the last three halls of the enfilade, according to the principle of ethnographic division. Separately, ancient Egypt is exhibited, then Egypt of the Ptolemaic period and, finally, Roman Egypt. Part of the Hermitage Museum - the Egyptian Hall, the photo of which is posted in this article, is dedicated to one of the most mysterious civilizations in the world. Museum visitors can trace the entire course of the development of the culture of the ancient country, the evolution of the dynasties of the pharaohs, the main historical milestones, wars and the peaceful creation of the Egyptian people.
For many centuries, the culture of Egypt was intertwined with the culture and art of other countries: Iran and Syria, Greece and Rome. The interconnection of all these mentally close countries is carried in its expositions by the Egyptian Hall of the Hermitage, and these expositions are periodically replenished from the museum's storerooms.
The period of Egypt being under the yoke of Byzantium is clearly visible. Hundreds of coins of Alexandrian minting are laid out under the glass, with the image of Byzantine rulers. Of particular value are papyrus scrolls on the issuance of benefits for the maintenance of Egyptian settlements, andother documents testifying to the exploitation of the Egyptians by the conquerors.
Various exhibits of the Egyptian Hall of the Hermitage allow us to trace the evolution of a great civilization in the period from the 4th millennium BC to the 4th millennium BC. e. and up to the III millennium of our era.
On the theme of the construction of the Egyptian pyramids, the museum presents photographs taken at different periods throughout the 20th century.
In fact, the Egyptian Hall of the Hermitage is a grandiose collection reflecting the centuries-old history of the whole country. Among the thematic expositions are household items, ancient works of art, women's jewelry, sculptures, as well as sarcophagi as a symbol of a special ritual accessory.
In the hall of Egypt there is one unique exhibit - this is a genuine mummy of the pharaoh. It is four thousand years old and is proof of the art of embalming. Also on display in the hall is a stone sarcophagus in which this mummy lay. The stone coffin carved from a single stone is a real work of art. Decorated with rich ornaments and intricate carvings, the lid of the sarcophagus testifies to the reverent attitude of the Egyptians towards the memory of the dead.
