About the Project

These web site entries are to help educators and college students make full use of the Nelson-Atkins’ ancient Egyptian collection. It is hoped that the information offered about specific works of art may serve as starting points for further research. The entries are not intended to introduce the reader to larger issues of Egyptian art and culture. The web site includes most of the Egyptian art currently displayed in the Nelson-Atkins galleries; a few objects currently in storage have also been included since they will eventually be placed on display.

Most of the references in these entries are to English language books that are readily accessible and intended in part for the nonspecialist. In the case of the objects’ bibliography, however, we have cited all publications, including foreign ones. Frequently Cited Sources contains specific information about commonly used abbreviations.

The chronology is based on William Murnane’s “History of Ancient Egypt: An Overview,” in Jack Sasson (ed.), Civilizations of the Ancient Near East II (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1995), 712-4.

Several scholars have come to Kansas City and commented on the materials in the Nelson-Atkins without subsequently publishing their remarks. Their comments as recorded here do not necessarily reflect long thought-out views; they may be suggestions made at the spur of the moment.

Entries were written by Robert Cohon (RC), Elly-Ann Miles (EAM), Carrie Morgan (CM), Caprice Stapley (CS), and Robin Trafton (RT). Alexandra O’Brien, of the University of Chicago, provided a good deal of guidance with several entries. The co-editors of this web site take full responsibility for all errors.

The last Egyptian entries were written in July 1999. Entries on the Greek collection will follow in summer 2001; the Roman and Near Eastern sections will be completed by summer 2003.

The University of Missouri-Kansas City, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and the Mellon-Frick-Rothschild-Sprint Fund generously financed this project. All photographs are from The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.