Latest news with #Sekhmet
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Three ancient gods meet in London, with a little help from Mumbai
Three ancient gods—rarely seen side by side—are now quietly holding court at the in London. from India, from Egypt, and from the Roman-Greek world stand together in a compelling new display. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now They received some help finding their voice from a team thousands of kilometres away in part of an ongoing global partnership between the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) and the British Museum, this London showcase builds on last year's landmark 'Ancient Sculptures: India, Egypt, Assyria, Greece, Rome' exhibition at CSMVS. This exhibition posed fresh questions about the divine, beauty, and nature. The London exhibit picks up where it left off and takes those conversations to a wider global result is a small but compelling display co-curated by Joyoti Roy, assistant director (projects and public relations), and Vaidehi Savnal, curator (education and public programmes) of CSMVS, alongside Thorsten Opper of the British Museum. "From amongst the objects loaned by the British Museum for the exhibition in Mumbai, Dionysos and Sekhmet were most apt," say Roy and Savnal. "They are shining examples of sculptural traditions in their respective regions. To this mix, we added a beautiful sculpture of Vishnu from the Pallava period, which exemplifies some of the principles of Indian iconography and sculptural tradition." Together, the trio of sculptures go beyond the usual textbook comparisons of how different ancient societies imagined their Savnal puts it, "We explored how different cultures represented the human form, used animal features symbolically, or dressed their gods."The cross-institutional project was not just a long-distance handover. "After a few virtual meetings, our team travelled to London to view the sculptures in person," Savnal recalls. "We worked closely with the British Museum team on every detail—layout of the gallery, object placement, wall colours, graphic design, fonts, and even the choice of languages."What is also special about the exhibit is that it's bilingual in English and Hindi. This method—what they refer to as global co-curation—invites curators from different parts of the world to ask new questions of familiar objects and to rethink how stories are told. "Unlike Egypt and Greece, India's sacred sculpture tradition is still alive. That creates a different kind of engagement for both believers and non-believers," says a way of seeing that values curiosity over chronology. Instead of leading with history or academic context, the team started with what a visitor might instinctively wonder. "Why do Greek gods wear slippers? Why do Indian gods have so many heads and hands?" they ask. Many of these questions came up naturally during conversations between Indian and international curators, who were often looking at unfamiliar material for the first sense of exchange shapes the heart of the display. "We felt it was our responsibility to do three things. First, help visitors identify and acknowledge these sculptures as gods. Second, help them understand how these images were revered in other cultures. And third, show what's similar or different when seen beside Indian divine images," says how does this kind of partnership rebalance how stories of the ancient world are told? "For the last ten years or so, under the museum's director general Sabyasachi Mukherjee's leadership, the museum has been working hard to bring world art to Mumbai," says Roy. "We've made it happen through long-term—and often quite complex—partnerships with leading museums around the world." That effort, she adds, has made sure Indian audiences, especially in Mumbai, aren't left out of the global art conversation. "Most of these objects may still be in Western museums, but CSMVS has gone all out to bring important exhibitions here," she says. "It's taken serious fundraising, involvement of specialists, and the entire museum staff to make it happen."Their aim, the curators say, has always been to let audiences experience original world art up close because seeing the real thing, they believe, is what truly "transforms their understanding of world history." After all, as they put it, "Digital images alone can never do justice."
CairoScene
07-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Monochrome Monday: The Plum Caspia Edition
Think of this shade as purple's cooler, more mysterious older sister. If purple was once the colour of kings, Plum Caspia is its contemporary heir—less pomp, more polish. Historically a symbol of power and luxury, purple gained its prestige from the rarity of its dye. Today, Plum Caspia reimagines that legacy through a moody, refined lens: rich, wearable, and quietly commanding. Sitting somewhere between violet and dusty mauve, the shade carries weight without overwhelming. It adapts seamlessly—equally at home in sculptural silhouettes, soft knits, or standout accessories. Whether layered for day or styled for evening, Plum Caspia invites elegance with a modern edge. This Monochrome Monday, we spotlight a curated selection of standout pieces that embrace this cooler, more enigmatic side of purple—from flowing kaftans and architectural bags to high-shine stilettos and fluid silks. Advisory Board Crystals | Artist as Eudaemonia Shirt Faded plum with an art-school edge, this boxy tee features hand-painted typography and an oversized fit for effortless cool. Zomer | Look 12 in FW'25 Liquid satin in a sultry plum. Structured sleeves meet a softly draped skirt—balancing precision with movement. Sekhmet | The Ubaste Shoulder Bag In Purple Architectural and compact, this sharp leather bag in deep plum feels like wearable sculpture. Nora Al Shaikh | Purple Embroidered Kaftan Minimalist yet ornate, this floor-length kaftan in dusty violet is defined by clean lines and delicate sleeve embroidery. Duha World | BB in Ultra Violet Glossy, angular stilettos that bring bold structure in saturated violet—equal parts drama and design. Oud Paris | Kurt Dress Off-the-shoulder silk in deep plum, voluminous and weightless. A gathered bodice grounds the fluidity. Wear Fold | Bowie in Plum A deep, muted plum abaya with discreet floral embroidery—timeless, with a subtle romantic twist. Numero Ventuno | Ruffled Mini Skirt Playful meets sculptural: this plum mini's gathered shape brings a soft intensity and a perfect tailored contrast. Sterling King | Allegro Ribbon Drop Earrings Sculptural spirals in metallic plum. Light-catching, fluid, and striking without trying too hard.
CairoScene
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Fashion Disruptors ‘The Risky Boys' Take ‘Fashion Month' Into the City
The first runway show at El Obour's fish market featured a lineup of Egyptian brands, including Sekhmet, Al Camileon, Horra, Cocobelle, and Eleven Eleven. Mar 10, 2025 Risky Boys, a collective of models, stylists, art directors, and designers, and their sister project Born in Cairo have introduced Cairo Fashion Month, a new runway series that takes fashion outside conventional venues - in typical Risky Boys fashion - and into the city's public spaces. This year's edition moves through El Obour's fish market (March 6th), El Matareya (March 15th), a football court (March 20th), and a circus (March 30th), with each location selected to reflect a different aspect of Cairo's cultural landscape. The first runway show at El Obour's fish market featured a lineup of Egyptian brands, including Sekhmet, Al Camileon, Horra, Cocobelle, and Eleven Eleven. They brought together designers, creatives, and over 40 influencers and media platforms, integrating fashion into spaces that shape everyday life in Cairo. With each show, Born in Cairo and Risky Boys aim to explore new ways of presenting fashion in the city, moving away from the standard fashion week format and placing designers and their collections within environments that reflect Cairo's energy.
CairoScene
25-02-2025
- CairoScene
Uncover Sohag's Colourful History Through These 7 Stunning Sites
Uncover Sohag's Colourful History Through These 7 Stunning Sites Steeped in Pharaonic traditions and Coptic heritage, Sohag played a pivotal role in the development of Egypt's cultural and religious identity with a handful of historical sites to show for it. The seldom-visited governorate hugs Upper Egypt's stretch of the Nile and is located about 470 kilometres from Cairo. From Pharaonic-inspired monasteries and medieval mosques to ancient necropolises and lavishly decorated temples, Sohag is a unique cultural and spiritual experience that encapsulates the diversity of Egyptian heritage. SOHAG NATIONAL MUSEUM Housing all of Sohag's fragmented bits and pieces of history, from the Middle Kingdom to Greco-Roman times, the Sohag National Museum is a true testament to the governorate's long and checkered history. Almost a thousand relics are scattered among the two-story monument. Flanked by five towering sculptures of the revered goddess Sekhmet, the 8,700 square metre museum is reminiscent of ancient Egyptian temples, blending in seamlessly with its pharaonic surroundings. ANCIENT CITY OF ATHRIBIS This massive treasure trove sits 7 kilometres outside of Sohag. The Athribis archaeological site stretches over more than 30 hectares and has undergone major excavations. It houses an impressive array of Ptolemaic and Roman monuments including a temple dedicated to the ancient lion-goddess Repit, a huge gateway of Ptolemy VIII Euergetes, as well as a larger temple complex and necropolis. AL-HAWAWISH NECROPOLIS One of the most significant archaeological sites in Sohag, this massive necropolis for the ancient city of Akhmim houses more than 900 rock-cut tombs that date back to the Old Kingdom and the First Intermediate Period. 60 of these tombs are relatively well-preserved with numerous inscriptions and funerary scenes giving us a glimpse into the daily lives of ancient Egyptians as they're dancing, hunting and farming - with a few even showing their final days before death. THE RED MONASTERY Tucked away in a remote village, the Red Monastery is one of the most noteworthy Christian monuments in the country. The monastery was dedicated to St. Bishoi in the fifth century. Its bare exterior stands in contrast to its lavishly decorated interior, stupefying in vivid technicolor following a basilica style featuring a fresco-bordered altar and an ornate, hand-carved inner doorway. The monastery houses some of the world's oldest Coptic artwork, and has recently been restored by USAID to its former glory. WHITE MONASTERY Built from white limestone taken from Pharaonic temples around AD 400, some of the White Monastery's walls still bear inscriptions featuring ancient gods and hieroglyphs. Even the design of the exterior walls are reminiscent of ancient temples. Located six kilometres outside of Sohag, this monastery once boasted Egypt's largest libraries and catered to a massive community of monks. Although its interior is mostly ruins, it's easy to make out the basilica plan of the monastery. Its towering fortress walls, however, are still standing after all these centuries. SIDI ARIF MOSQUE In the south of Sohag, you'll find one of Egypt's largest mosques. The Sidi Arif mosque was initially constructed in the 14th century but underwent several reconstructions, once in 1968 and once in 1998. The five-nave mosque flaunts red granite-lined walls, an ornamentally painted ceiling, a dizzying array of chandeliers, an elongated light dome and two slender minarets at either side of the structure. AKHMIM A satellite town along Sohag's east bank, Akhmin spans the ruins of the ancient town of Epu dedicated to the god of fertility Min. In 1982, excavations unveiled an 11 metre tall statue of Meret Amun, the daughter of Ramses II, wife of Amenhotep and priestess of the Temple of Min. This is the tallest statue of an ancient queen to have been unearthed in Egypt. Now standing among the ruins of a Roman settlement, Meret Amun is depicted wearing a ceremonial headdress with flail in hand. Akhmin is known for more than just its archaeological marvels. In ancient times, the town was renowned for its textiles. This tradition still endures until this day. In fact, right across the statue of Meret Amun, there's a small weaving factory still manufacturing hand-spun goods and handmade items.
Al-Ahram Weekly
18-02-2025
- Science
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Bastetodon, a new 30-million-year-old species of predatory mammal unearthed in Egypt - Society
Mansoura University announced on Monday that a research team from the university's Vertebrate Paleontology Centre has discovered a new species of predatory mammals that lived in Egypt 30 million years ago. The team, led by renowned Egyptian paleontologist Dr Hesham Sallam, has also reclassified a group of predatory mammals that was first identified 120 years ago. The study, conducted by lead researcher Shorouq Al-Ashqar, was recently published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. Dr Sallam emphasized that this discovery highlights the critical role of climate change in shaping ancient ecosystems. The fossil was unearthed during a 2020 expedition by the Sallam Lab team in the Fayoum Depression. The excavation yielded an exceptionally well-preserved, three-dimensional skull, allowing for detailed anatomical and morphological studies. The team identified the newly discovered species as Bastetodon, named after the ancient Egyptian goddess Bastet. Additionally, a previously recognized group of lion-sized mammals, classified initially as Pterodon, has been renamed Sekhmetops in honour of the goddess Sekhmet. More about Bastetodon According to lead researcher Dr Al-Ashqar, Bastetodon was a formidable predator, weighing approximately 27 kilograms — comparable to a modern hyena or leopard. It possessed razor-sharp teeth and powerful jaw muscles, enabling it to prey on a diverse range of animals that roamed the region at the time, including early primates, ancestral hippos, elephants, and hyraxes. Al-Ashqar emphasized the significance of this discovery in providing new evidence for the evolution of predatory mammals in Africa. The findings challenge the long-held assumption that these creatures evolved elsewhere before migrating to the continent. Instead, the study supports the idea that Africa was the original homeland of these apex predators before they spread globally. More about Sekhmetops The study also reassessed the classification of Pterodon, which was previously thought to have existed in Europe and Africa. However, new analyses confirmed that its true origin was solely in Europe. As a result, the research team assigned the name Sekhmetops to another species discovered in the ancient forests of Fayoum from the same era. The suffix '-ops' derives from the Greek word for 'face,' further linking the name to the revered Egyptian warrior goddess Sekhmet. Dr Al-Ashqar noted that this change is not merely a renaming but a precise reclassification that reflects the accuracy of modern paleontological research in correcting historical errors. She added that such revisions contribute to a deeper understanding of the evolutionary relationships among species that lived millions of years ago. Morphological and statistical analyses utilizing phylogenetic techniques confirmed that Bastetodon and Sekhmetops belong to the family Hyainailourinae, a subgroup of hyaenodonts. Hyaenodonts were dominant mammalian predators in Africa following the extinction of the dinosaurs. The study further established that this family originated in the Afro-Arabian landmass and spread through multiple migration waves to Asia, Europe, India, and North America. Dr. Sallam stressed the immense scientific value of the Fayoum Depression in advancing the human understanding of mammalian evolution. He described the site as a "scientific treasure trove" that offers a window into Earth's biological history across different geological epochs. 'This discovery would not have been possible without the dedication and collaboration of our research team, who meticulously analyzed the fossil samples and conducted comprehensive classification studies,' Sallam stated. He added that the research focused on identifying new species and explored how environmental and climatic factors influenced their evolutionary pathways. Short link:
