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History of the Egyptian collection

Liverpool is a centre for research into the archaeology of Egypt and the city’s collection is one of the most important in Britain. The leading Liverpool merchant families of the19th century funded the digs of pioneering Egyptologist Professor John Garstang of the University of Liverpool.

A thin curved string instrument made from wood

A wooden Middle Kingdom shoulder harp excavated by Professor Garstang from the tomb of Senuatef at Beni Hasan. Dynasty 11-12 (about 2055-1870 BC)

Garstang founded the Institute of Archaeology in 1904 – the first of its kind in Britain. Through agreement with the Egyptian government sponsors of his digs, including the museum, received a share of the artefacts discovered. Under the same arrangement the museum also benefited from other expeditions until the 1980s when the laws changed.

But at the heart of the collection is Joseph Mayer's gift of nearly 5000 artefacts. Mayer collected antiquities and in 1852 opened his own museum. Liverpool was one of the world’s busiest port cities and Mayer was able to build a large and important collection. In 1867 he donated his entire collection to the museum.