New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art is shining new light on Ancient Egypt's Middle Kingdom with a new, in-depth exhibit that opened Sunday.
The Middle Kingdom, which is also known as the Reunification Period, was between the years of 2000 BC and 1700 BC leaving Osiris, the god of death, life, and resurrection, as the most prominent and famous deity in popular religion.
It was previously believed that the Middle Kingdom only consisted of two phases: The 11th Dynasty, which ruled from Thebes and the 12th Dynasty, which ruled from Lisht . Later studies and findings however, led many historians, Egyptologists, and archaeologists to believe that the 13th Dynasty was also part of the Middle Kingdom.
Holding the first ever in depth exhibition, with over 230 objects and artifacts dating back to the Middle Kingdom on display, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York brought history to life when it opened its doors Sunday to the general public.
The exhibition, which will be open until Jan. 24, has successfully transformed the historical era into something magical, leaving many praises, excitement and appreciation.
The exhibition's popularity continues to grow as it focuses more on arts and the daily lives of ancient Egyptians than the gold and never ending fortunes of gods, kings and queens.
Though artifacts were collected from more than 30 international collections for the exhibition, very little known has been about that era. It is known as an era of change. Everything from politics to art and everything in between, was altering.
Reality, as Egyptians knew at the time, was in a constant change.
Works of art such as models of a granary with scribes, cosmetic vessels, statues of guardian figures and shrines created in honor of kings and queens are beautifully exhibited in order to showcase Egypt's massive history.
Other objects such as this dog figurine and standing hippopotamus are eloquently displayed alongside jerboa and cat figurines.
The entire collection on display illuminates the realities of change in history.