Ancient Egypt
magic and medicine
Exhibition
The Egypt Centre, Swansea
18 June – 20 September 2026
An ancient Egyptian stela (carved stone) covered in hieroglyphs will travel to Swansea in June 2026 as part of the British Museum Spotlight Loan Ancient Egypt: magic and medicine display at The Egypt Centre.
The stela, known as a cippus, will also travel to two local primary schools for a day as part of a special collaborative project which began in January 2026 to introduce Swansea school children to ancient Egyptian life.
The display will also feature a limestone ostracon (a pottery sherd used like scrap paper to write or draw on) from The Egypt Centre alongside work produced by local school children and will be on display until 20 September 2026.
The cippus was believed to be a magical artefact, inscribed with spells and a depiction of the god Horus triumphing over the dangers of the natural world. The ancient Egyptians thought that by reciting the spells they would be protected against wild animals such as lions and crocodiles.
Supported by the Dorset Foundation in memory of Harry M Weinrebe.
British Museum in your classroom
This spotlight loan is part of the British Museum in your classroom (BMIYC) programme and was developed in partnership with The Egypt Centre.
BMIYC works with school children and teachers, bringing British Museum objects directly into schools.
In 2026, the programme has partnered with Terrace Road Primary School and St Helen's Primary School in Swansea, offering children the opportunity to go on an educational journey to ancient Egypt through virtual lessons and hands-on experiences.
