Above: What Howard Carter Saw

When Lord Carnarvon asked “Can you see anything?” Carter replied with the immortal words: “Yes, wonderful things!”

Below: What you see at MoAW

Canopic Caskets . 

Made of beaten gold inlaid with cloisonné rishi (or feather patterns), these 4 miniature anthropoid coffins held the mummified internal organs of the pharaoh. Appropriated from leftovers of another burial and refashioned for Tutankhamun’s funeral, the caskets were housed in the alabaster Canopic chest. Magic inscriptions chased on the gold interiors of the coffins revealed cartouches originally representing the names of Ankhkheprure Nefernefruaton (Nefertiti) which had been reinscribed for Tutankhamun. Another small wooden casket found in the Treasury revealed the sentimental offering of a pleated lock of hair from the pharaoh’s grandmother, Queen Tiye. Nearby, a pair of small coffins of a less ornate design contained the mummies of the 2 stillborn daughters of Ankhesenamun and Tutankhamun, one pitifully deformed by congenital spina bifida and scoliosis. “Had one of those babes lived,” Howard Carter was to speculate, “there might never have been a Ramesses.”

Selket . An oversized reproduction of Selket to show detail, part of MoAW's collection:

Of the 4 stunning tutelary goddesses, Howard Carter was to write:  Gracious figures with outstretched protective arms, so natural and lifelike in their pose, so pitiful and compassionate the expressions on their faces, that one felt it almost sacrilege to look at them.  Second only to Isis in her connection with divine magic and escorted by scorpions (whose emblem adorns her head), the enchanting goddess Selket (or Selkis) is associated with childbirth and nursing as well as with the magical treatment of scorpion stings. She was guardian of the genie (or angel) Qebhsenuef, who was identified with the pharaoh’s intestines. Made of gilt wood and gesso, she is portrayed with her hair gathered into a linen kerchief. Over her pleated shawl and gown she wears an ornamental broad collar. The soft curves of her hips and stomach are distinctive of the Amarna style, but the sideways turn of her head, which faces a different direction that those of her 3 companion goddesses, defies the fundamental tradition of frontality in ancient Egyptian art. Her painted eyes, with their lifelike gaze, convey an eternal warning to anyone who dares to approach.

A Special Thank You to our Photographer, Dean Keefer:

The amazing photos you see in our emails were taken by Dean Keefer, one of our board members who has gone above and beyond helping us in many ways. Amazing photographer, amazing board member, amazing realtor in the desert and in NYC, and an amazing friend to MoAW.

The Latest MoAW

In the News:

We had no new press this week but want to re-share a wonderful article that was in Palm Springs Life digital edition on November 10, 2019 and written by Susan Myrland.

MoAW is quickly becoming a popular place for groups to meet. We have had seniors from Bella Villagio visit as well as teachers scheduling class trips. This Saturday we will be hosting the Desert Hot Springs Historic Society and the ARC of Riverside County will bring a group of their clients in February. Recently, we hosted a gathering of Gamma Mu fellows. MoAW will host an evening mixer for the Desert Business Association and the Gay Men's Dinner Club is scheduled for a guided tour before their monthly dinner. If you are a member of a group, or know a group who would enjoy visiting MoAW please let us know.

New Programs at MoAW:

Each month we will be changing the smaller images in the front windows with a new series of catch phrases designed to get the attention of people walking by. Our January catch phrase is " Come In and Learn." If you have not seen them, walk on by and Come In and Learn.

From a press release being distributed next week:

After opening in October 2019, MoAW is working to begin community-based programs to build relationships with partners and donors. A program to help students pay for class field trips and transportation is at the top of the list. Being the only natural history and ancient civilizations museum in the Valley it is important for students at all levels to be able to visit and learn, Alberto Acosta, Executive Director, stated he does not want admission or transportation, which is often the issue in class trips, to keep any students from coming to MoAW. A second program to fund and grow for the community is Creative Aging, working with local seniors, especially those with memory issues . Creative Aging programs are being implemented in museums worldwide with much success in sparking recognition and creativity. The third program is for Valley residents of all ages who have disabilities, specifically autism and downs syndrome, to be able to visit the museum before opening hours to provide a safe, quiet space for them to experience everything the museum offers. Acosta envisions these programs to help meet educational, health and mental needs of area residents. He states, to fully implement these, and do them successfully, additional funding is needed to support students, hire and train staff to work with seniors and to expand museums hours. To learn more about these programs, or to help fund them, you can reach Acosta at the museum.

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