Harry Ransom Center presents rare papyrus exhibition on ancient Egyptian daily life
The University of Texas at Austin's Harry Ransom Center has launched an exhibition titled 'Lives and Literacy in Ancient Egypt,' which will run until August 3, 2026. Created in collaboration with The John Rylands Library, this showcase presents unique papyrus manuscripts from Greco-Roman Egypt, encompassing personal correspondence, legal documents, magical charms, medical prescriptions, and ancient religious writings. Additionally, painted mummy masks are part of the display. Notably, the exhibition features one of the earliest fragments of the New Testament in existence.
Key facts
- Exhibition titled 'Lives and Literacy in Ancient Egypt'
- On view through August 3, 2026
- Developed in collaboration with The John Rylands Library
- Features rare papyrus manuscripts from Greco-Roman Egypt
- Includes personal letters, legal petitions, magical amulets, medical prescriptions, and early religious texts
- Also displays painted mummy masks
- Highlight is one of the world's earliest New Testament fragments
- Hosted at the Harry Ransom Center, University of Texas at Austin
Entities
Institutions
- Harry Ransom Center
- University of Texas at Austin
- The John Rylands Library
Locations
- Austin
- Texas
- United States