Gateway to Egypt: Public programs at the Australian Museum

11 December 2023: Ancient Egypt is coming back to life at the Australian Museum with the blockbuster summer exhibition Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs, featuring talks, activities and events designed to give visitors of all ages – children, teenagers, adults and families, a richer understanding of this fascinating era.

Events for 16+ include:

● Saturday Lectures – Exploring Ancient Egypt is a deep dive for lovers of all things Egypt: monthly from Saturday 25 November until 27 April 2024

● Tomb Talks include canapes, drinks and Q&A with an Egypt expert: the second Tuesday of the month from 12 December until 14 May 2024

● Egypt – in Conversation feature talks hosted by journalists: the second Wednesday of the month from 13 December until 8 May 2024

● Breakfast Behind the Scenes – Egypt Unearthed includes shakshuka, a talk and a VIP tour: the third Wednesday of every month from 17 January until 20 March 2024.

Series: Saturday Lectures– for true Egyptophiles!

• Journey to the Afterlife
  Archaeologist Dr Anna Latifa Mourad-Cizek, explores the spells and beliefs of the Ancient Egyptians, as they prepared for death and the afterlife.
  Date: Saturday 23 December 2023, Time: 10.30am - 11.30am, Ages: 16+, Location: UG Theatre, Australian Museum
  Cost: Member $28, non-Member $35, Concession $31.50 (price valid to 31/11)
• The Egyptian "Conquest" of Nubia
  Dr Aaron de Souza unpacks the tumultuous relationship between Egypt and Nubia that Ramses II inherited. Where did this tension come from and how did both sides exist under such long-term conflict? A fascinating and complex story of cooperation and coexistence.
  Date: Saturday 27 January 2024, Time: 10.30am - 11.30am, Ages: 16+, Location: UG Theatre, Australian Museum
  Cost: Member $28, non-Member $35, Concession $31.50 (price valid to 31/11)
• Monumental Architecture: The Egyptian Temple
  Macquarie University’s Dr Gillian Smith celebrates the architectural enormity of the Ramesside period with her exploration of Abu Simbel, the Ramesseum & Luxor’s Karnak Temple Complex.
  Date: Sat 24 Feb 2024, Time: 10.30am - 11.30am, Ages: 16+, Location: UG Theatre, Australian Museum
  Cost: Member $28, non-Member $35, Concession $31.50 (price valid to 31/11)
• Ramses Street: Ancient Egypt in Colonial Australia
  Join digital art historian Dr Alex Woods and archaeologist Candace Richards for the fifth of our Saturday Lecture Series, where we explore the entwined histories of Egypt and early modern Australia, in an effort to understand how Egypt’s cultural heritage found its way Down Under.
  Date: Sat 23 March 2024, Time: 10.30am - 11.30am, Ages: 16+, Location: UG Theatre, Australian Museum
  Cost: Member $28, non-Member $35, Concession $31.50 (price valid to 27/11)

Series: Egypt in Conversation – engaging talks hosted by journalists

• Introduction to Egypt
  Curator and Egyptologist Melanie Pitkin sits down with journalist and passionate Egyptophile Caroline Baum for a broad conversation about all things Ancient Egypt: the people, places and phases of history.
  Date: Wed 13 Dec 2023, Time: 12pm - 1pm, Ages: 16+, Location: UG Theatre, Australian Museum
  Cost: Member $28, non-Member $35, Concession $31.50 (price valid to 31/11)
• It’s Alive! Ancient Egypt in Popular Culture
  Travel with archaeologist Dr Craig Barker on a journey to Ancient Egypt…via Hollywood. Exploring everything from horror and sci-fi to romance and historic biopics. Did they reflect the “real” Egypt?
  Date: Wed 10 Jan 2024, Time: 12pm - 1pm, Ages: 16+, Location: UG Theatre, Australian Museum
  Cost: Member $28, non-Member $35, Concession $31.50 (price valid to 31/11)
• Solving a Museum Mystery
  Macquarie University bioarchaeologist Professor Ronika Power and Egyptologist Dr Conni Lord chat about uncovering the mystery of Mer-Neith-Ites, whose mummified remains were discovered in a sarcophagus at Sydney University.
  Date: Wed 14 Feb 2024, Time: 12pm - 1pm, Ages: 16+, Location: UG Theatre, Australian Museum
  Cost: Member $28, non-Member $35, Concession $31.50 (price valid to 31/11)
• Hieroglyphs: Preserving Identity for Eternity
  Self-confessed Egyptophile AJ Lamarque sits down with Macquarie University’s Dr Ellen Ryan to examine her insights into ancient Egyptians’ use of hieroglyphic texts to immortalise their identity for eternity. There will be Auslan interpretation provided for this event.
  Date: Wed 13 Mar 2024, Time: 12pm - 1pm, Ages: 16+, Location: UG Theatre, Australian Museum
  Cost: Member $28, non-Member $35, Concession $31.50 (price valid to 31/11)
• How to Excavate an Ancient Egyptian Tomb
  ABC broadcaster Simon Marnie chats with Egyptologist Professor Martin Bommas about the little- known aspects of archaeology and what it really takes to discover, excavate and restore a pyramid.
  Date: Wed 10 April 2024, Time: 12pm - 1pm, Ages: 16+, Location: UG Theatre, Australian Museum
  Cost: Member $28, non-Member $35, Concession $31.50 (price valid to 31/11)
• The Secrets of the World’s First Peace Treaty
  In the final of our Egypt - In Conversation series, join us for this fascinating conversation about the Treaty of Ramses II of Egypt and Hattušili II of Hatti featuring Macquarie University Egyptologist Dr Camilla Di-Biase Dyson.
  Date: Wed 8 May 2024, Time: 12pm - 1pm, Ages: 16+ Location: UG Theatre, Australian Museum
  Cost: Member $28, non-Member $35, Concession $31.50 (price valid to 31/11)

Series: Tomb Talks – chats, canapes and a spotlight tour

• The Nile High Club: Drinking, Drugs and the Divine
  Archaeologist Mary Hartley will talk about the Festival of Drunkenness – just one celebration where drinking was seen as a gateway to the divine! After a drink of your own, you’ll enjoy your own VIP tour with Egyptologist Natasha Baramillis.
  Date: Tues 12 Dec 2023, Time: 5.30pm - 7.30pm or 7pm - 9pm, Ages: 18+, Location: LG, Members Lounge, Australian Museum Cost: Member $140, non-Member $175, Concession $157.50
• Reuse & Recycling in Ancient Egypt
  The second event in the Tomb Talks series explores the age-old question - when is it acceptable to break up and reuse someone else's coffin for your own?
  Dates: Tues 9 Jan 2024, Time: 5.30pm - 7.30pm or 7pm - 9pm, Ages: 18+, Location: LG, Members Lounge, Australian Museum Cost: Member $140, non-Member $175, Concession $157.50
• CSI: Egypt
  Explore science facts and science fiction as bioarchaeologist Professor Ronika Power sits down with self-professed Egyptophile and comedian AJ Lamarque to explore life (and death) on the Nile.
  Dates: Tues 13 Feb 2024, Time: 5.30pm - 7.30pm or 7pm - 9pm, Ages: 18+, Location: LG, Members Lounge, Australian Museum Cost: Member $140, non-Member $175, Concession $157.50
• Jewels of the Nile
  Join Dr Aaron de Souza and Dr Julien Cooper as they chat with Chau Chak Wing Museum’s Dr Craig Barker in an attempt to unravel the political and economic webs that drove the pharaohs’ insatiable hunger for gold.
  Dates: Tues 12 March 2024, Time: 5.30pm - 7.30pm or 7pm - 9pm, Ages: 18+, Location: LG, Members Lounge, Australian Museum Cost: Member $140, non-Member $175, Concession $157.50
• Ramesside Love Songs and Poetry
  Dr Julia Hamilton sits down with award-winning poet and author Sara Saleh (Host) to celebrate the ancient art of love.
  Dates: Tues 9 April 2024, Time: 5.30pm - 7.30pm or 7pm - 9pm, Ages: 18+, Location: LG, Members Lounge, Australian Museum Cost: Member $140, non-Member $175, Concession $157.50
• Crypts and Robbers: Excavating the Tombs
  Discover the challenges of excavating the Tombs of Ramesside officials… and find out who got there first.
  Dates: Tues 14 May 2024, Time: 5.30pm - 7.30pm & 7pm - 9pm, Ages: 18+, Location: LG, Members Lounge, Australian Museum Cost: Member $140, non-Member $175, Concession $157.50

Series: Breakfast Behind the Scenes – for early risers!

• Lessons from the Dead: Tales of a Bioarcheologist
  After an Egyptian-inspired shakshuka breakfast, join charismatic bioarchaeologist Prof. Ronika Power as she provides unique reflections on research and ethics, and how dying in Ancient Egypt helps us to better understand the lived experience of people from the past, and connect with them as individuals.
  Date: Wed 17 Jan 2024, Time: 7.30am - 9am, Ages: 16+, Location: G, Brian Sherman Crystal Hall, Australian Museum Cost: Member $200, non-Member $250, Concession $225
• Ancient Egypt, Modern Curatorship
  Sit down for breakfast with Dr Melanie Pitkin, the Senior Curator at the Chau Chak Wing Museum, and explore the ethics of museums, provenance and ownership histories.
  Date: Wed 21 Feb 2024, Time: 7.30am - 9am, Ages: 16+, Location: G, Brian Sherman Crystal Hall, Australian Museum
  Cost: Member $200, non-Member $250, Concession $225
• Digging up the Past - The Tombs of the Pharaoh's Officials
  Discover Ancient Egypt with archaeologist and Director of the Australian Centre for Egyptology, Dr Karin Sowada, as she provides this exclusive behind the scenes glimpse of her life helping to unravel the mysteries of the past.
  Dates: Wed 20 March 2024, Time: 7.30am - 9am, Ages: 16+, Location: G, Brian Sherman Crystal Hall, Australian Museum
  Cost: Member $200, non-Member $250, Concession $225

Events for families and younger children:

• Egyptian Pottery
  Step into the shoes of an ancient Egyptian sculptor and craft your very own canopic jar from clay, guided by visual artist and art educator, Tamara Gulic Phoenix.
  Ages 5 - 8 years: Tue 9 Jan & Wed 10 Jan, 10am – 12pm Ages 9 - 12 years: Tues 9 Jan, 1.30pm – 3.30pm Ages 13 - 16 years: Wed 10 Jan, 1.30pm – 3.30pm
  Location: LG, Patricia McDonald Education Rooms, Australian Museum
  Cost: $52 Members, $65 non-Members Creative Kid Voucher accepted.
• Scientist for a Day: Archaeologist
  Embark on a journey into the world of archaeology, led by Honorary Associate Professor Dr. Judith Field. Discover the fascinating realm of archaeology and delve into the depths of history.
  Ages: 9-12 years, Dates: Thurs 11 January & Fri 12 Jan, Time: 9.30am - 3.30pm
  Location: LG, Patricia McDonald Education Rooms, Australian Museum
  Cost: $120 Members, $150 non-Members
• Building Blocks of History
  In this fun STEM-based workshop, learn through play about the fascinating world of pyramid building, ignite your creativity and get a deeper understanding of space and dimensions.
  Ages 5 - 8 years Mon 15 Jan & Tues 16 Jan, 10.30am – 12pm Ages 9 - 12 years Mon 15 Jan & Tues 16 Jan, 1pm – 2.30pm
  Location: LG, Patricia McDonald Education Rooms, Australian Museum
  Cost: $36 Members, $45 non-Members
• Readers Theatre: Ramses and Nefertari
  Explore Ramses the Great's world in an interactive dramatic play workshop, delving into Ancient Egypt's history for an engaging and enjoyable learning experience. This workshop is a perfect opportunity to strengthen teamwork skills as you collaborate with others to read, select props, and plan your performance.
  Ages 9 - 12 years: Thurs 18 Jan, 10am – 11.30am Ages 13 - 16 years: Thurs 18 Jan, 1pm – 2.30pm
  Location: LG, Patricia McDonald Education Rooms, Australian Museum
  Cost: $24 Members, $30 non-Members
• Scientist for a Day: Wildlife Geneticist
  Join us for an unforgettable exploration of the animal kingdom's DNA! In this hands-on workshop, journey into the world of wildlife genetics and unleash your inner wildlife detective through an interactive investigation. Explore the Wild Planet exhibition and uncover the wonders of the animal kingdom and its genetic mysteries. Go behind-the-scenes and meet real geneticists from the Australian Centre for Wildlife Genomics (ACWG), based at the Australian Museum Research Institute, where the real science happens.
  Ages: 9 - 12 years, Dates: Tues 23 Jan & Wed 24 Jan, Time: 9.30am - 3.30pm
  Location: LG, Patricia McDonald Education Rooms, Australian Museum
  Cost: $120 Members, $150 non-Members

Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs: Audio description - Free Audio Tour

Be transported back 3,300 years, across the sands of the Sahara Desert as you listen to this audio described guide about Ramses II, the most celebrated pharaoh in the country's storied history. For more details see here.

Accessible and inclusive events:

Did you know every Ramses programming talk offers an Auslan-interpretated session? The AM is proud to offer a range of onsite accessible programs for deaf and autistic people as well as online audio description guides to help assist blind and low vision visitors enjoy our permanent exhibitions and special events. To get the word out, the Digital and Programming teams have launched a dedicated accessible and inclusive events page on the AM’s website.

Bistro Gadi

From 18 November, Bistro Gadi, the AM’s new rooftop restaurant, will provide visitors with a casual but elegant dining experience on Level 4. With views overlooking Hyde Park, St Mary’s Cathedral and Woolloomooloo Bay, Bistro Gadi focusses on fresh seasonal produce with flavourful mains, vibrant salads and wraps prepared daily.

A $20,000 Travel Competition is also on offer, through Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs!

Visitors inspired by their Egyptian experience at the Australian Museum can venture event further afield by entering the travel competition courtesy our Major Exhibition Partner Adventure World. Walk in the footsteps of Ramses, visit the treasures of ancient Egypt, or find treasures in the many destinations the custom travel specialist, Adventure World, has on offer. One lucky winner will receive a $20,000 voucher to design their own trip to Egypt or any of Adventure World’s destinations and to explore the treasures of the world in person.

Competition opens at 9am on 16 November 2023 and closes at 9pm on 19 May 2024 (AEST). Visitors enter via a QR code which is found on a panel at the end of the exhibition and are asked to answer one question. Enter online at https://australian.museum/visit/whats-on/ramses/adventure-world-competition/.

Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs is presented in partnership with World Heritage Exhibitions, Neon/Global and the Houston Museum of Natural Science, with the support of Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Proudly supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW Blockbusters Funding initiative, Adventure World and Accor Hotels.

# ENDS #

Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs - exclusive to the Australian Museum.

● Date: 18 November 2023 until 19 May 2024

● Tickets: Adult from $38, Concession from $32, Child from $25. Book here: Ticketmaster

● Media: images, biographies, press releases can be found here

About the Australian Museum

The Australian Museum (AM) was founded in 1827 and is the nation’s first museum. It is internationally recognised as a natural science and culture institution focused on Australia and the Pacific. As custodian of more than 22 million objects and specimens, the AM is uniquely positioned to provide a greater understanding of the region through its scientific research, exhibitions, and public and education programs. Through the Australian Museum Research Institute (AMRI), the AM also plays a leading role in conserving Australia’s biodiversity through understanding the environmental impacts of climate change, potential bio-security threats and invasive species. Visit Australian Museum for more information.

About Neon

NEON, formerly Cityneon, is a global leader in creating and producing experiential entertainment. NEON enjoys worldwide partnerships with The Walt Disney Company and Marvel Entertainment for Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N.

and Marvel Avengers Station: Evolution, 20th Century Studios for AVATAR: The Exhibition, Hasbro for Transformers: The Experience, NBCUniversal for Jurassic World: The Exhibition, and Lionsgate for The Hunger Games: The Exhibition. It

also has a partnership with Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment to produce two brand-new, unique global touring-themed art experiences inspired by the Wizarding World set to debut in Cologne, Germany, in December 2023, and DC

slated to launch in 2024. The Company also partners with the governments of Egypt and Peru for their original artefact IP experiences, Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs and Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru, respectively,

plus authentic artefact tours Pompeii: The Exhibition, Mummies of the World: The Exhibition, and Victoria the T. Rex. The Group’s IP experiences are powered by ANIMAX, a fully owned subsidiary and a world-class creative animatronics powerhouse that specialises in research and development, engineering and entertainment robotics, with state-of-the-art facilities located in Nashville, US, Wuxi, China and the Middle East. NEON’s global partnerships have enabled the Group to bring compelling experiences that leave lasting memories to millions of visitors in more than 70 cities to date globally. For more information, please visit www.neonglobal.com.

About World Heritage Exhibitions

World Heritage Exhibitions (WHE) is renowned for producing, promoting, and designing the finest quality museum content on the globe. Their exhibitions have captivated, educated, and inspired visitors in virtually every major market on the planet. With a combined 150 years of exhibition experience, the WHE executive team has been responsible for touring many of the world’s most valuable treasures, including objects from King Tutankhamun’s tomb, relics from Cleopatra’s Royal Palace, artefacts from the Titanic, items from the discovery of Pompeii, and more. Their exhibitions have now been enjoyed by more than 30 million people spanning six continents, and their collective expertise has come together in one of the industry’s most influential touring exhibition companies.

About Adventure World

Adventure World is an established and passionate group of global adventurers.

With more than 40 years of experience, Adventure World has been curating authentic and sustainable travel experiences to guarantee its guests experience the lifeblood of a destination, with the flexibility of customisable itineraries. All Adventure World product is underpinned by its Travel with Purpose charter, to celebrate and conserve culture, create socio-economic benefits for communities, protect wildlife and restore marine life all the while creating authentic opportunities for like-minded travellers aid us in the mission. We work closely with our partners TreadRight Foundation, Animals Asia and the Australian Museum, and work towards meeting 11 of the United Nations’ Global Sustainable Development Goals and putting into action, our travel with purpose philosophy.