Crypts and Robbers: Excavating the Tombs

Recommended age: 18+ years

We wrap up our Tomb Talks series with archaeologist Dr Susanne Binder as she sits down with the Australian Museum’s Head of Exhibitions Fran Dorey, to explore the phenomenon of Ramesside tomb robberies.

Join us for a drink and a selection of Egyptian-inspired canapés as we explore archaeological evidence unearthed by the Macquarie Theban Tombs Project and compare it with the contents of the Tomb-Robbery Papyri, in an attempt to discover where the truth lies.

Following the chat, you’ll be guided to Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs where you’ll receive our exclusive object spotlight tour presented by Egyptologist Natasha Baramilis.

Your ticket includes:

• A drink on arrival and a chef’s selection of Egyptian-inspired canapés
• 45-minute talk + Q&A with a leading expert
• Ticket to Ramses & The Gold of the Pharaohs (valued at $52) and skip the queue for express entry
• Within the exhibition, enjoy an exclusive in-person spotlight tour by an expert as they share the stories behind their favourite objects
• Following your tour, enjoy access to Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs until the Museum closes at 9pm

Note: Ticket price does NOT include VR experience or exhibition audio guide.

Duration: Approximately 2 hours

Dr Susanne Binder is a member of the Australian Centre for Egyptology. Since the mid-1990s, she has participated regularly on the Macquarie Theban Tombs Project, conducting archaeological fieldwork on the West Bank in Luxor. She obtained a PhD in Egyptology from Macquarie University on “The Gold of Honour in New Kingdom Egypt”, a topic that explores material culture as well as historical, political and social issues of the ancient civilisation.

At MU, Susanne taught ancient Egyptian history, archaeology and language in the Department of History and Archaeology until 2022. Through her archival work on the 19th century expedition diary of Max Weidenbach, Susanne has developed her interest on pioneering European exploration of ancient Egypt and the early scientific documentation of its monuments.

Fran Dorey is Head of Exhibitions, at the Australian Museum, leading the Exhibition team responsible for the curation, design, preparation and maintenance of the Museum’s permanent, temporary and touring products.

She has co-curated and project managed some of the AM’s most ambitious exhibitions including 200 Treasures, Dinosaurs, Tyrannosaurs – Meet the Family, Aztecs, Alexander the Great, Life Beyond the Tomb, Art of the Pharaohs and Climate Change – our future our choice.

Fran has a BA (Honours) majoring in archaeology and ancient history from the University of Sydney and a Dip Ed (Secondary) from Charles Sturt University. She remains passionate about archaeology and history, as well as palaeontology and palaeoanthropology, and writes and maintains the AM’s popular Human Evolution webpages.

Natasha Baramilis has been studying Egyptology for over ten years and is intrigued by what tomb scenes reveal about their individual owners. Upon graduating from her Bachelor’s degree, she accompanied Professor Naguib Kanawati on his fieldwork trip to Egypt, working in Meir and Beni Hassan.

During this trip she truly understood how tomb scenes differed from one another, leading her to complete her Masters thesis on the ‘Individuality of Tomb Scenes in the Old and Middle Kingdom’. Presently, Natasha is completing her PhD research which focusses on understanding the connection between tomb scenes and the lives of their owner.

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