One of the most fascinating truths about ancient Egyptian artifacts is that they can almost be found everywhere in the world. The fascination with ancient Egypt is as ancient as its monuments and for years, museums have competed to become the most elaborate hosts of artifacts, although this has sparked criticism from locals and experts alike. Before the traffic of antiquities became regulated in 1983, European high figures and archeologists travelled through Egypt and collected a plethora of treasures, taking them back to their homelands where many are now permanently settled. The Rijksmuseum Van Oudheden, tucked in Leiden – the Netherland’s own version of Venice – is a humble home to a reputedly beautiful collection, which through my visit, became a convincing fact. “Over 1,400 objects from the world-renowned Egyptian collection of the National Museum of Antiquities are on display in the permanent exhibition Egypt,” reads the museum’s official website. “The highlights naturally include the museum’s fascinating mummies and their colourful cases. The exhibits tell the story of Egypt, one of the most imaginative cultures of ancient times.” A ticket to the museum is around € 12,50, it allows entry…
Dutch Affinity for Antiquities: The Egyptian Collection at Leiden’s Rijksmuseum
August 2, 2019
