Temporarily CLOSED - January 2008
Due to the relocation of the Qurnawi to a new settlement further north, and the destruction of most of the properties, Qurna Discovery had to move out of its venue in January 2007.
When all the demolitions were going on we obtained permission to retain and restore a unique small group of buildings to use for historical exhibitions, see Articles and Links: The Four Properties Projects
A new organisation was formed to support the exhibitions and pay for the restoration and re-installation. We would love to welcome you as a Friend of Qurna Discovery.
Restoration and repair went ahead from February to October, and the exhibitions were remounted temporarily August to October. In October the restoration work was all finished and the exhibitions and lighting all properly installed in the zawyeh and adjacent buildings.
Formal written permission was obtained from Dr Zahi Hawass and on November 4th 2007 we had a small Opening party.
Very sadly, later in November the exhibitions had to close again. Due to some misunderstanding, the Ministry of Culture took over the buildings to use for Ateliers for modern artists. After many meetings and much discussion agreement has now been reached that they shall re-locate the artists, but an alternative venue is not yet available. As of mid January 2008 the exhibitions are not on view.
We apologise to our supporters and those visitors attempting to visit Qurna Discovery.
We hope to re-open very soon.
Qurna Discovery enables local people and visitors to understand and appreciate aspects of Qurna heritage and society.
Qurna Discovery is a small permanent venue in the Nobles Tombs area on Sheikh abd el Qurna, the area of the Theban Hills opposite the Ramesseum.
The exhibitions are permanent and entry is Free.
Free entry means that local people are encouraged to visit, school parties are welcome, and tourists can painlessly learn something about the Qurnawi community and might be encouraged to buy some local crafts or contribute in some way to the local economy.
How to get there:
- By car – park in the Nobles’ Tombs car park opposite the Ramesseum, walk towards the hillside, leaving the mosque on your right, Qurna Discovery is just along on the left.
- On foot – walk to the Nobles’ Tombs, then walk as if to the tomb of Nakht, to the left you will find Qurna Discovery. Sit on a verandah to admire the view and take your breath before you visit the exhibitions.
This small venue houses two main exhibitions.
Life on the Theban Hills 1826
The fascinating drawings of Robert Hay (2001)illustrates local history through the early 19th century drawings.
Robert Hay was an artist and draughtsman who worked in Egypt in the 1820s and 30s and who spent many years drawing the tombs and temples. He made a number of detailed drawings of the whole area, including the two stunning 360 degree panoramas. They are part of a huge collection, The Hay Manuscripts, which are mainly of Egyptological interest. However the drawings that form the content of this exhibition are every-day scenes of the 1820's in Qurna. For years the drawings have been hidden away, seen by very few people. Now the British Library, who keep the drawings, have given permission for an exhibition of the drawings to be held at the very place that they were drawn - Qurna in Egypt.
How did the project start?
The project co-ordinator, Caroline Simpson says:
"While researching the history of the village I came across these wonderful drawings and friends in Qurna asked if I could find a way for the Qurnawi to see them too. I decided to ask the British Library and take it from there."
The British Library generously donated a set of photographic copies of a selection of the Hay drawings to the people of Qurna. Then a venue had to be found, and money raised to make it all happen.
Click here for samples of the
Theban drawings
Why are they so special?
They form perhaps the most detailed record of village life of that period anywhere in the world, they are unpublished, and are now displayed in that village for locals and visitors to see. This is even more important in an area of such historical significance, where so much is known and taught about the ancient history. History does not stop at some given date in the Roman period. These records are as valid as wall paintings and papyrus - and as beautiful.
The second exhibition is - Gourna - living villages in the city of the dead
This exhibition looks at the current state and modern problems of the hillside ommunity. This exhibition was made in 1997 in answer to requests from people in Qurna to help them in their struggle to remain in their old houses on the hillside. It is designed as a tool to inform and encourage their own discussion amongst the families on the hillside, to use to explain the history of their problem when discussing it with the authorities, and to show to tourists so that they too understand the social history and problems that the people face in this world heritage site. In order to begin to analyse today's problems, it was necessary to research the past, and it was in this research that the whole Qurna History Project began, and the Hay drawings were found.
This exhibition has also been shown in Cairo at the American University, and in Cambridge University, England, at a conference of the Association for the Study of Travel in Egypt and the Near East.
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A new exhibit of November 2007
Zawyet bet Khalil
The family meeting houses - zawaya - were distinctive features of the built environmant. They also had important social and community functions. A new exhibit illustrates many of the various zawaya of Qurna and tells the history of this particular one.
Please click here to view the Zawyeh Exhibition Panel.
The English text can be found here
And outside the venue…
In May 2004 Qurna Discovery presented its new display, The Bogdadi sāqiya. A small display about water wheels alongside the 19th century Bogdadi sāqiya wheel.
The outside of our 2002-2007 venue. In May 2004, the well-known cartoonist Golo was commissioned to paint The Qurna Mural on the outside walls of Qurna Discovery.
Sadly this mural is no longer visible. In January 2007 the exhibitions had to move and the shop owners have repainted the building.
Qurna Discovery is open every day except Friday.
8am – 4.30pm .
Entry is free.