The Life of Meresamun, A Temple Singer in Ancient Egypt An Exhibition at the Oriental Institute Museum, University of Chicago

Is it possible for modern museum visitors to gain insights into an individual of the ancient past? "The Life of Meresamun: A Temple Singer in Ancient Egypt," currently on view at the Oriental Institute Museum until December 6th, 2009, is an intimate look at a stratum of society that is rarely the focus of Egyptological fascination, namely, elite women. The exhibit sets out to give this segment of ancient Egyptian society a face by focusing on a woman known as Meresamun. Throughout the exhibit the viewer is presented with some interesting information on the life this woman possibly led, and although not an articulated goal, the exhibit's attempt to put a face on the past implicitly raises issues of how one gains access to the ancient person.