Jedinečnost Abúsíru v kontextu Egypta: českoslovenští egyptologové a egyptské památky
Displaying Egypt, showcasing Abusir: Czechoslovak Egyptology and Egyptian artefacts

Summary/Abstract: In 2020, the Czechoslovak and Czech excavations at Abusir celebrate their 60th anniversary. A presentation of Egyptological activities in temporary exhibitions and museum displays has become an essential follow-up of archaeological work. However, artefacts located in former Czechoslovakia and present Czech Republic have travelled from Egypt in several groups, being only in part directly connected to the excavation work. Nonetheless, all the artefacts have become a part of the public presentation of Egyptology and have a role in a more generalised interest in Egypt. The complex history of travelling artefacts is almost always intertwined with cultural, political, and social histories, and the Egyptian artefacts in Central Europe are no exception. Although the history of Egyptology is not limited and should not be reduced to its political aspect, artefacts have often played the role of being accessories to diplomacy, alongside their cultural message, aesthetic impact and prestige connected to their ownership. This paper outlines the complex corpus of Egyptian artefacts in the historical Czech lands, the history of exhibitions, and the role of excavations at Abusir in the long history of presenting Egypt to Czech audiences.

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