The Instituto de Egiptologia of Rio de Janeiro is a non-governmental and non-profit organisation founded in 1990 in order to promote the research, exploration and diffusion of ancient Egyptian culture. Since 1990, it has promoted a successful divulgation work on the ancient Egyptian culture and civilisation, as well as has published the results of its recent scientific researches.

Furthermore, since 1980, the main founder of the Institution have developed the original idea of making a didactic assemblage of pieces, including models, miniatures of archaeological objects, pieces in natural size, iconographic panels (paintings and reliefs) and many other items. From this selection of pieces the INE has organised many dynamic events at some of the most important cultural centres and museums in Brazil.

The existence of this Didactic Collection of Egyptology introduces a new concept of exhibition, since, this kind of Collection intends to offer a didactic “tour” to the history, aesthetics and material culture of Ancient Egypt, not showing real antiquities, but didactic items which can teach and show Ancient Egypt as it was in the days of the pharaohs, in a restored and new view. More precisely, our intention is to provide a meaningful portrait of Egyptian material culture, as it was seen by the Egyptians millennia ago, before time, nature and vandalism damage it, and in fact, showing its fresh colours and original forms.

One of the reasons that conducted the authors for a continued work for many years in the Didactic Collection was the encouragement and recognition by special people as Dr. Kenneth A. Kitchen (Liverpool), Dr. Geoffrey T. Martin (London) and Dr. Alain Zivie (Paris), three leading authorities in the Egyptological field.