A new exhibit of artefacts from ancient Egypt is now open to the public in Lisburn.
Egyptian Hieroglyphs: Unlock The Mystery brings some of the biggest discoveries in ancient Egyptian linguistics in the British Museum to the Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum.
The exhibition consists of nine artefacts, including an extract from the Book of the Dead, which belonged to the priestess Nestanebetisheru, which is a collection of spells used to protect and guide recently deceased people into the afterlife.
Another artefact on display is a 3,000-year-old limestone lintel revealing the name of Pharaoh (King of Ancient Egypt) Ramses III.
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Ramses III is one of the more well-known Egyptian monarchs, having defended Egypt from three invasions and founded the 20th dynasty of Ancient Egypt.
His death is another reason for his fame, as he was killed by one of his secondary wives in a failed attempt to put her son on the throne of Egypt.
This was only revealed in 2012 when a CT scan of the king's 'mummy' revealed a deep stab wound in the throat.
Linen from King Tutankhamun's tomb is also included in the artefacts, which is fitting considering Lisburn's long-standing history with the linen industry in Ireland.
Hartwig Fischer, Director of the British Museum, said: “We are committed to working with a wide range of partnership museums and galleries to create a positive educational, social and economic impact".
"Last year the museum lent over 1,000 objects to 95 venues outside London, which benefited over three million visitors.”
There are also 21 workshops available for visitors to interact with, along with a self-guided hieroglyphics trail and a schools programme.
Councillor Thomas Beckett of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council said: "We are delighted our museum has partnered with the British Museum to bring this incredible exhibition to Lisburn and Castlereagh.
"It is fantastic to be one of only three UK venues to host this British Museum Touring Exhibition."
Ilona Regulski, Curator of Egyptian Written Culture at the British Museum, added: “The decipherment of hieroglyphs, which came about 200 years ago, marked the turning point in a study that continues to reveal secrets of the past.
“This ground-breaking achievement provided an unprecedented window into the ancient Egyptian people and their way of life.
"We could suddenly understand the letters they wrote, the shopping lists they hastily created and the rituals they left behind on tomb and temple walls.”
Running until October 12, the free exhibition will have expert speakers deliver talks about hieroglyphics and Egypt as well as on the life and times of the Egyptian woman Takabuti, whose mummified body is currently on display at the Ulster Museum in Belfast.
