Sarcophagus of Ramses II to be star attraction in Australian Museum exhibition

The sarcophagus of Ramses II - one of the most impressive royal coffins from ancient Egypt ever to be discovered - will be included in the upcoming Australian Museum exhibition, Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs, opening in Sydney on 18th November.

Exclusive to the Australian Museum and on direct loan from Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, Ramses’ coffin is rarely permitted to leave Egypt and Sydney will become only the second city in the world, after Paris, to showcase the extremely valuable artefact.

Australian Museum Director and Chief Executive, Kim McKay shared “the beautiful sarcophagus of Ramses II will be the star attraction in the Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs exhibition and is a wonderful opportunity for Australian audiences to see this rare, fragile artefact in real life. Ramses’ coffin is a work of inestimable value and a powerful symbol of one of the greatest leaders of the ancient world. Egyptians worshipped their Pharaohs, and their devotion to Ramses II can be seen through the craftsmanship of the coffin.”

This exceptional loan is the result of a long-standing working relationship between McKay and the curator of Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs, Dr Zahi Hawass, the former head of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, as well as the exhibition partners, Neon Global and World Heritage Exhibitions.

Dating from the late 18th Dynasty, the carved cedar coffin of Ramses II and its occupant was discovered in 1811 within the Royal Cache at Deir el-Bahari – an Egyptian archaeological site located on the west bank of the Nile River, opposite the city of Luxor and east of the Valley of the Kings. The cedar coffin was not originally designed for the pharaoh. Probably dating from the late Eighteenth Dynasty, it would have once been overlain with gilding and inlays in precious stones or glass. The surface was then stripped and painted yellow, with a handful of details highlighted in bright colours and the eyes outlined in black.

The recumbent king is represented as Osiris, one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt: arms crossed on his chest, he holds two royal sceptres and wears the Nemes headdress decorated with the erect cobra and false beard braided beneath his chin. A number of inscriptions can be found on the coffin: on its lid, two large cartouches recall his birth name of 'Ramses, beloved of Amun' and throne name 'Powerful is the Maat of Ra, he whom Ra has chosen'.

McKay added “we are honoured, and extremely grateful, to the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities, Neon Global, World Heritage Exhibitions and renowned archaeologist, Dr Zahi Hawass for their support and generosity to secure the coffin for Sydney audiences.

“I have known Zahi for over two decades and when I visited the exhibition in Paris in April this year and saw the reaction of the crowds to this incredible artefact, I knew we had to have the coffin in Sydney. This international collaboration between two countries, as well as our exhibition partners, World Heritage Exhibitions and Neon Global, marks a new chapter in the way we share culture with our visitors and is an opportunity for the Australian Museum to enhance its international reputation.”

World Heritage Exhibitions Chief Executive, John Norman advised “The coffin of Ramses II was one of the most popular objects in Ramses & The Gold of the Pharaohs in Paris, so we anticipate Australian audiences will find this priceless artefact equally enthralling. Shown in Australia for the very first time, Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs and the extraordinary loan of the coffin direct from Egypt, highlights how dynamic international relationships develop across the globe.”

The coffin of Ramses II joins over 180 priceless artefacts and ornate golden treasures in Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs, including one-of-a-kind relics such as sarcophagi, animal mummies, magnificent jewellery, spectacular royal masks, exquisite amulets – many of which have never left Egypt before. All of the objects in the exhibition have come from museums and historical sites in Egypt and are on loan from Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities.

Exclusive to Sydney, Ramses & The Gold of the Pharaohs is an interactive museum experience that provides visitors with a window into the life and accomplishments of King Ramses II, more commonly known as Ramses the Great, who ruled Egypt for nearly 67 years - the second longest reign of any pharaoh in Ancient Egyptian history. Ramses was known as a mighty warrior who secured peace with his neighbours, led an extensive building campaign that included scores of gigantic monuments to himself, and is believed to have fathered over 100 children. The exhibition also features a virtual reality experience that takes visitors on a whirlwind tour of two of Ramses' most impressive monuments: the Tomb of Queen Nefertari, his favourite Royal Consort, and the temples of Abu Simbel.

Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs comes to Sydney after successful seasons in Houston, San Francisco and Paris.

Sydney will be the fourth of 10 cities in the world to receive the exhibition.

Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs - exclusive to Australian Museum - 18th November 2023 until 19th May 2024.
Tickets: Adult from $38, Concession from $32, Child from $25.
Book now: through Ticketmaster  

For more information australian.museum/exhibition/ramses/

Image. The sarcophagus of Ramses II. Credit: Sandro Vannini/Yvan Lebert, World Heritage Exhibitions.