Mummy Hermione among revelatory treasures as Girton College Museum opens its
doors
Rarely-seen treasures from Anglo-Saxon England, Ancient Egypt and the
Mediterranean are being opened up to public view following the refurbishment of
the small museum of Girton College Cambridge.
The Lawrence Room at Girton contains a range of unique pieces including
Anglo-Saxon treasures recovered on the college site in 1881 and, perhaps most
importantly, Hermione Grammatike, a named portrait mummy of a young female
classics teacher from the Fayum city of Roman-era Egypt.
Excavated by William Flinders Petrie during the winter season of 1910/1911 in
the Roman cemetery at Hawara, on the eastern edge of the Fayum, Hermione has
become something of a Girton icon.
The subject of poems and a couple of college plays, she returned to England
as a complete mummy, with her portrait still in place, featuring fine wrappings
which were considered equally noteworthy.
Writing in 1911, Petrie described how rare it was for the names of the people
mummified had been preserved. "The most important of these is that of Hermione
the Grammatike, or teacher of the classics, whose name and title are painted in
white on the ground of the portrait," he explained.
"This is the only instance known of a mummy or portrait of a woman teacher;
it now rests in the library of Girton College."
Several primary school women teachers are known from Roman Egypt but, as a
female teacher at a more advanced level, Hermione Grammmatike is unique.Visitors to the college can discover more about her unique story together
with a wide range of important artefacts and antiquities in state-of-the-art
display cases, with fully-supporting information.
"We are delighted to now be able to provide regular public access to the
Lawrence Room," says College Curator Frances Gaudy. "It is a truly fascinating
collection and quite a hidden treasure.
"It is already of great interest to researchers and academics and we hope
that its new, regular open hours will mean that a far wider audience will be
able to enjoy these pieces."
The Lawrence Room is open to the public every Thursday between
2pm and 4pm, other times by appointment only (please allow at least 24 hours).
For all enquiries and appointments email
http://www.culture24.org.uk/history+%26+heritage/archaeology/art77212
doors
Rarely-seen treasures from Anglo-Saxon England, Ancient Egypt and the
Mediterranean are being opened up to public view following the refurbishment of
the small museum of Girton College Cambridge.
The Lawrence Room at Girton contains a range of unique pieces including
Anglo-Saxon treasures recovered on the college site in 1881 and, perhaps most
importantly, Hermione Grammatike, a named portrait mummy of a young female
classics teacher from the Fayum city of Roman-era Egypt.
Excavated by William Flinders Petrie during the winter season of 1910/1911 in
the Roman cemetery at Hawara, on the eastern edge of the Fayum, Hermione has
become something of a Girton icon.
The subject of poems and a couple of college plays, she returned to England
as a complete mummy, with her portrait still in place, featuring fine wrappings
which were considered equally noteworthy.
Writing in 1911, Petrie described how rare it was for the names of the people
mummified had been preserved. "The most important of these is that of Hermione
the Grammatike, or teacher of the classics, whose name and title are painted in
white on the ground of the portrait," he explained.
"This is the only instance known of a mummy or portrait of a woman teacher;
it now rests in the library of Girton College."
Several primary school women teachers are known from Roman Egypt but, as a
female teacher at a more advanced level, Hermione Grammmatike is unique.Visitors to the college can discover more about her unique story together
with a wide range of important artefacts and antiquities in state-of-the-art
display cases, with fully-supporting information.
"We are delighted to now be able to provide regular public access to the
Lawrence Room," says College Curator Frances Gaudy. "It is a truly fascinating
collection and quite a hidden treasure.
"It is already of great interest to researchers and academics and we hope
that its new, regular open hours will mean that a far wider audience will be
able to enjoy these pieces."
The Lawrence Room is open to the public every Thursday between
2pm and 4pm, other times by appointment only (please allow at least 24 hours).
For all enquiries and appointments email
http://www.culture24.org.uk/history+%26+heritage/archaeology/art77212
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