Museum of Fine Arts
Boston, MA
2025
Background
In June 2025 our team was granted permission to analyze predynastic and early dynastic artifacts from the Museum of Fine Arts' extensive collection - one of the largest in the United States.
We would like to thank the museum staff, including Lawrence Berman and Maarten Praet.​​
The Museum's Egyptian collection began in 1872 with 5,000 objects and was expanded with artifacts excavated in the early 1900s by George A. Reisner. Collaborations with Harvard University in the early 20th century further enhanced the collection, particularly with respect to Nubian artifacts, resulting in the largest collection of its kind outside of Sudan. Today the MFA is considered to hold one of the most comprehensive Egyptian and Sudanese collections in the world. As with most major museums, there are far too many pieces to display at any one time.
An unknown type of stone jar dated to Dynasty 1 or 2 (2960 - 2649 BC)
Old Kingdom Alabaster vessels and bowls (2649- 2100 BC)
Diorite, Basalt, Limestone, and Alabaster vessels spanning nearly 1,300 years (3850 - 2575 BC)
Analysis
Our analysis included data capture via laser scanning, photogrammetry, and endoscopy.
Results
... coming soon