The Institute of Egyptian Art & Archaeology (IEAA) manages the Egyptian antiquities housed and displayed in the Art Museum. This permanent exhibition is open when the Art Museum is open and closed when AMUM is changing exhibitions.

Statue of Nedjemu. Old Kingdom, Dynasty V (c. 2500-2350 B.C.E.). Limestone with traces of black, yellow and red paint. Giza, debris outside mastaba 242. Inv. no.: 1987.2.1

The IEAA was established in 1984 under the directorship of Carol Crown, professor of art history at the University of Memphis.

The IEAA is a Tennessee Center of Excellence operating within the Department of Art at the University of Memphis. As a teaching and research center, a major responsibility of the IEAA is the care and display of one of the largest public collections of Egyptian antiquities in the South. The initial collection of 44 objects was chosen by William Kelly Simpson and Edward J. Brovarski. It was acquired for the University from the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston in 1975. Bringing the collection to Memphis was only possible through a grant provided by E. H. Little, former chairman of the board of Colgate Palmolive, and with the guidance of Charles Allgood and Dana D. Johnson. These objects, representing the full range of Egyptian history, have been supplemented by gifts from individuals and other, supportive institutions.

Please direct questions about the collection of Egyptian Antiquities to the IEAA.