‘Unlocking Collections’ is a project that took place at the Warwickshire Museum Service. It ran for 18 months until March 2025 and was a huge success. The project focused on the Founding Collection, which is the name for the items that were acquired by the WNHAS during the 19th century. The WNHAS was established in 1936, amid increased interest in natural science. The main aim was to try and collect specimen samples from across different areas, presenting them in the Warwick Market Hall.
A Piece of Egyptian Stonework was Amongst the Collection
Although many specimens were collected, a lot of them remain in the care of the Warwickshire Museum. The Unlocking Collections project has the aim of exploring these artefacts further, with one of the most interesting pieces being a piece of Egyptian stonework. You can find out more about the collection here. The display focuses on geological specimens from across Warwickshire, while helping to explore some of the deep historical roots of the area.
Britain has had a long-standing fascination with Egypt for quite some time, especially during the 19th century. Egyptology captured the imagination of the British public very quickly, with archaeological discoveries helping to drive this. One of the biggest finds was the Rosetta Stone. As time went on, the number of Egyptian antiquities stored by British museums grew, as did private collections. ‘Unlocking Collections’ in particular is a great way to explore this and provides a great deal of insight into the colonial era.
The Egyptian Collection at the Warwickshire Museum
The Warwickshire Museum holds several Egyptian artifacts, including stone tools that were donated by Reverend J.M. Mello. There’s also a hieroglyphic stone that was once part of the Leamington Spa Art Gallery. Modern media is helping to put a spotlight on Egypt as well, by showcasing its rich history as well as the advancements that have been made over the years in regard to excavation and preservation.
A new television series, Egypt’s Cosmic Code, for example, shows Bradley Walsh as he takes a trip to the monuments of Egypt. Netflix also has a series called Catalog, which is set in Egypt. Numerous games also pay homage to ancient Egypt, notably Builders of Egypt, which takes place in the protodynastic period. In the game, you observe the birth of the Egyptian Civilisation, along with the fall of the Ptolemaic Kingdom. Numerous slots online also showcase Egypt, including the Reign of Anubis and the Eye of Horus – the Golden Tablet. Games like this showcase Egyptian iconography, along with falcons, scarabs, and hieroglyphics, all of which represent the history and lore of Ancient Egypt.
With Egypt having such a rich history, and with Egypt as a whole having such a prominent theme across different aspects of modern media, the Warwickshire Museum and the Warwickshire Museum Service hope to raise awareness of this era in history, while preserving artefacts for years to come. With digital image banks, a series of workshops being hosted, and a co-curated exhibition, they managed to draw locals as well as people outside the local area, which created something well and truly special.
Written by Ben Spencer
