Egypt's secrets set to be revealed in Perth

• Secrets of the Afterlife from the British Museum is exclusive to Perth

• WA Museum draws another internationally renowned exhibition

• Artefacts include mummies, intricate coffins and ancient magical spells

Culture and the Arts Minister John Day today announced another international exclusive for Perth, with the Western Australian Museum securing the ancient Egyptian exhibition, Secrets of the Afterlife.

Mr Day said Secrets of the Afterlife would be on display at the Western Australian Museum - Perth from May 17, 2013 and was the second major international exhibition presented as part of the museum's special relationship with the British Museum.

"Following the success of the British Museum's Extraordinary Stories and the Victoria and Albert Museum's Unveiled, the WA Museum is again exhibiting significant collections alongside our own State collection," he said.

"Secrets of the Afterlife includes more than 100 ancient Egyptian artefacts from the British Museum, reflecting the journey ancient Egyptians believed they would take from death to attaining eternal paradise in the Field of Reeds.

"Highlights of the exhibition include four intricately decorated coffins, two mummies and a gilded mummy mask that are thousands of years old - the oldest artefact, a model set of tools used to open the mouth during the embalming process, is 4,500 years old.

"The exhibition also features beautifully illustrated magical spells on papyrus or linen, known as the Books of the Dead, which equipped the dead with the knowledge, power and protection to ensure eternal life."

The Minister said Secrets of the Afterlife would take the audience to the heart of the ancient Egyptian quest for eternal life through a stunning array of specially curated artefacts.

"This exhibition shows why ancient Egyptians took death so seriously and how - for more than 2,500 years - death was only the beginning of their journey," he said.

      Fact File

• Secrets of the Afterlife is on display at the WA Museum from May 17, 2013

• Liberal National Government supports culture and the arts in WA and has allocated $428.3million for a new State Museum in the Perth Cultural Centre

• Liberal National Government invested $34million to transform once neglected Perth Cultural Centre into vibrant, safe, and attractive area

• More information at http://www.museum.wa.gov.au  

Minister's office - 6552 6200