2024
UCC confirms the return of historical objects to Egypt
A number of objects from UCC's Heritage Collection have been transported to Egypt, as part of a previously announced donation to the Egyptian State.
The items in question include mummified human remains, a sarcophagus, a set of four Canopic jars, and items of cartonnage (coverings) dating variously from about 500 AD to about 945 BCE. The accessioning of the donation is ongoing and the process is expected to formally conclude in 2025.
The donation of these objects by University College Cork to the Egyptian State is a multi-agency collaboration involving the University, the National Museum of Ireland, the Egyptian Ministry for Tourism and Antiquities, the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, and Embassy staff in Dublin and Cairo.
Professor John O’Halloran, UCC President, said: “We are pleased to confirm this significant development in the ongoing donation process. I wish to thank both embassies in Dublin and Cairo, the National Museum of Ireland, the Egyptian Ministry for Tourism and Antiquities, and the Department of Foreign Affairs for their collaboration. I wish to express particular thanks to Mark Poland, UCC Director of Buildings and Estates, Margaret Lantry, UCC Curator, and John FitzGerald for their hard work in bringing the process to this point.”
Analysis of the sarcophagus dates it at approximately 625 to 600 BCE. An inscription indicates that it belonged to a man named Hor. Painted decorations on the lid and sides depicts the procession of the gods to the table of offerings where the deceased, Hor, is presented by Thoth, Egyptian God of writing, wisdom and magic. Other illustrations depict gods and goddesses, while inscriptions pray that Hor will have eternal life with the gods, happiness, and plenty of food and drink.
The coffin was excavated by Ernesto Schiaparelli sometime between 1903 and 1904, from tombs in the Valley of the Queens. It is possible, though unconfirmed, that it was subsequently sold at the Salle de Vente in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
The mummified human remains are that of an adult male, estimated to be between 45 and 50 years old and measure 1.69m. The remains are not that of Hor, to whom the sarcophagus belonged. Testing done on the wrapping of the remains date it at around 305BCE to 500AD, meaning the sarcophagus pre-dates the human remains by several centuries.
The Four Canopic jars were purchased by UCC from the firm of J.E. and E.K. Preston, Antiquaries and Dealers in Works of Art in Harrogate, Yorkshire, England sometime between 1911 and 1912. These are believed to be the oldest of all the items being returned to the Egyptian State, with an estimated date of between 945-700BCE.
The set of cartonnage pieces in UCC’s collection are made of linen, plaster, and paint and date earlier than 100 AD. Cartonnage were placed on mummified remains at the time of burial. The set in UCC comprises of a chest covering, a lower body covering, a foot case and a head covering. It is not clear if these pieces are from the same original set. There are no records indicating how the set came in to UCC’s possession.