Made in Ancient Egypt

3 October 2025 – 12 April 2026

Tickets from £14.50 / Free for members / Concessions available

Head of a princess, 1353–1336 BCE, quartzite

From elaborately decorated coffins to the Books of the Dead, ancient Egyptians produced objects which remain iconic today. But who were the makers behind them and how were they made?

Revealing the untold stories of the Egyptian makers, technology and techniques behind these extraordinary objects, our exciting new exhibition is the first to explore ancient Egypt through the lives of its craftspeople, bringing together jewellery, ceramics, sculpture and more, including spectacular objects never before seen in the UK.

From the domestic to the divine, discover how these captivating artefacts were made and meet the makers behind them. Made in Ancient Egypt brings to life fascinating cutting-edge research which sheds new light on the ancient Egyptians’ technical processes, many of which are immediately recognisable today, as well as how they lived, worked and worshipped.

Supported by David and Molly Lowell Borthwick.

Stoneworkers finishing a granite statue of a king, copy of the original wall painting in the tomb of Rekhmire, Qurna, Egypt, 1479–1425 BCE, painted by Nina M. Davies (1881–1965) in 1927, paper and tempera paint. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Rogers Fund, 1930

Cartonnage mummy-case of a priest called Nakhtefmut, 924–889 BCE, cartonnage (linen and paste), wood, gold, paint and glass. Photograph © The Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge

Unfinished head of a princess, 1353–1336 BCE, quartzite. Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Ägyptisches Museum und Papyrussammlung, Berlin, bpk, Bildagentur für Kunst, Kultur und Geschichte, Berlin. Photo Scala, Florence

Beads in the shape of flies arranged back-to-back, 1550–1069 BCE, gold, glass and gemstone (jasper)  © The Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge

A guide for drawing animals, 664–332 BCE, limestone © Musée du Louvre, Dist. GrandPalaisRmn. Photo Christian Décamps

Glass vessel in the form of a fish, 1550–1292 BCE, glass. The Trustees of the British Museum

Exhibition Details

3 October 2025 – 12 April 2026

Exhibition entry timeslots are available from 10am – 4pm Tuesday – Saturday and 12– 4pm Sunday. Your chosen entry slot will appear on your e-ticket.

Tickets from £14.50 / Free for members / Concessions available

Step-free access is available to all floors. Large print guides are available. For more information, head to our Visit us page.

Galleries 11, 12 and 13

Membership

Become a Friend or Patron, enjoy free unlimited entry without needing to book

Pay what you can

Join us on the last Sunday of every month and pay what you can for your exhibition tickets. When booking, simply choose an amount you’d like to donate or book for free.

Find out more.

Students and 18 – 25s

If you’re aged 18 – 25 or a student of any age, join the Fitz List and enjoy free exhibitions tickets and more. Sign up today and use your benefits straight away.

Concessions

Half price concession tickets are available for National Art Pass (Art Fund) holders.

Free tickets are available for Under 18s, concessions (those in receipt of Universal or Pension Credit, Income Support, JSA, ESA or PIP) and the companion of a disabled visitor.

Booking a group visit

For group bookings of 10 people or more including UK school and university groups, commercial groups or tours, head to our Visit us page for more information.

Large print labels

Printed versions of large print labels are available within the exhibition. You can access a digital version here.

FAQ

Do I need a ticket to visit the exhibition?

A ticket is required to visit our exhibitions.

Is the exhibition free to visit?

Although entry to the Museum, our collection and displays remains free, a ticket is required to visit our exhibitions and there is an entry free. Standard adult tickets for ‘Made in Ancient Egypt’ start from £14.50, concessions are available and members go free. Read more about tickets.

What concessions are available for exhibition tickets?

Friends and Marlay Patrons enjoy free unlimited entry to all exhibitions without needing to pre-book. Find out more and join.
Half price concession tickets are available for National Art Pass (Art Fund) holders. Free tickets are available for Under 18s, concessions (those in receipt of Universal or Pension Credit, Income Support, JSA, ESA or PIP) and the companion of a disabled visitor. Read more about tickets.
Free tickets are also available for everyone who is part of Fitz List. Find out more and sign up.

How do I make a group booking?

For groups larger than 9 people, please visit the group booking section on our Visit Us page for more information.

How do I book a ticket?

Save time on arrival and pre-book your ticket through our website. Walk-up tickets can be booked at the Museum but are subject to availability.

Will I receive a physical exhibition ticket?

Visitors booking online will receive an e-ticket via email to present on a mobile device or print at home. Visitors booking in person will receive printed tickets.

How far in advance do I need to book tickets?

We recommend booking your tickets in advance online to avoid disappointment. Some exhibition tickets might be available to buy in the Museum on the day of your visit, but we cannot guarantee this.

Can I get tickets on the day?

Walk-up tickets are subject to availability and can be booked at the courtyard entrance (step-free access) or founder’s entrance on arrival. You may need to wait during busy times and book a later time slot.

Are exhibition tickets timed?

Yes – exhibition tickets grant entry within a 30-minute time slot. You will not be able to enter the exhibition before the time on your ticket but are welcome to stay in the exhibition for as long as you like (within Museum hours). We suggest you allow one to two hours to see most exhibitions. Once you leave the exhibition, re-admission is not permitted. Last entry for exhibitions is usually one hour before the Museum closes.

How many tickets can I book at once?

You can book a maximum of 15 tickets in one transaction. For groups larger than 15, please contact our Events team: events@fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk

Can I change the date of my booked ticket?

If you're no longer able to make the date and time you booked, please contact us by email: tickets@museums.cam.ac.uk

How do I book a school visit?

For school bookings, please contact our learning team: education@fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk

What are the exhibition opening times and when is last admission?

The exhibition is open during normal Museum opening hours. We’re open Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 5pm. Sundays and Bank Holidays, 12 – 5pm. The last ticketed timeslot is 4pm.

Can I take photographs in the exhibition?

You can take photographs in the exhibition for non-commercial, personal use only. Any artworks or objects which are not permitted to be photographed will be indicated as such by an accompanying notice.

How do I enter the Museum?

You can enter the Museum via the founder’s entrance (step access) or the courtyard entrance (step-free access) where you will be greeted by a member of our welcome team.

Where can I find information about accessibility?

Full details of our accessibility and facilities are provided on the Accessibility section of our Visit Us page. If you have any special access requirements, please contact us directly: enquiries@fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk or 01223 332900

Will you be giving out maps?

While general Museum maps are available at both entrances, we don’t have maps specific to ‘Made in Ancient Egypt’. The exhibition is located in galleries 11, 12 and 13.

How can I join as a new member?

Visit our Support Us page for details on becoming a member of the Fitzwilliam Museum.

What events are taking place?

We have a range of exhibition-related talks and events taking place at the Museum, you can view our what’s on programme.

I'm a member of the press, where can I find more information about exhibitions?

If you have a media enquiry about exhibitions, or want to request images and footage for use in the press, please contact our press team at press@fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk

I’m a journalist that wants to come and visit the exhibition

If you have a media enquiry about the exhibition, or want to request images and footage for use in the press, please contact our Press team: press@fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk