Located on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin, Lennox Gardens in the Australian capital Canberra has several distinct areas gifted to Australia by foreign governments. Additionally it contains several memorials while being a beautiful place to relax.
Nara Peace Park
Gifted to the people of Canberra by the Japanese city of Nara, this small garden contains many traditional elements particularly the large number of decorative trees. Throughout the park, are two stone lanterns and other sculptures.
The tranquility of the garden is wonderful and a great place to wander through.
Traditional wooden gate entrance to the Japanese GardensKasuga lantern in the Canberra Nara Peace Park
Beijing Garden
The Canberra Beijing Garden was a gift from the Beijing Municipal Council. Designed in the style of the Qing Dynasty it has a traditional Chinese gate to welcome visitors while meandering paths lead past sculptures and a pavilion.
Traditional Chinese gate to welcome visitors to the Canberra Beijing Garden Reverse side of the Chinese gate Replica statue of the Bronze Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying SwallowAzure Dragon representing east and spring
JNF Israel Garden
Memorial to the Centenary of Australia and the Centenary of the Jewish National Fund
Spanish Civil War Memorial
This is a small memorial to Australians who fought in the Spanish Civil War from 1936 to 139.
Spanish Civil War Memorial
Canberra Rotary Peace Bell
The Rotary Club of Canberra undertook a fund raising exercise to install a peace bell within the Nara Peace Park precinct. This was done in partnership with the World Peace Bell Association.
If you get tired of shopping, want a break or are waiting for someone, while at the Greenhills Shopping Centre in Maitland NSW Australia, the area outside the food hall is a great option. Not only are there places for the kids to play, and tables and chairs to sit and eat at but there are some great sculptures located there. Spread throughout the area Animal March Sculptures, represents local wildlife. Made by Gillie and Marc you can find them either in the garden beds or around the tables.
The largest ones are of wombats, koalas and kangaroos, but if you look closely, you will find birds, turtles and possums. A great addition to the centre, it certainly adds interest to the area while showing the native animals that we need to care for.
A Family of WombatsMother and Baby KoalaKoala FamilyKangaroos with a Joey in the Mother’s PouchWombat and KangarooPossumsTurtlesLost WombatKookaburras
Discover Ancient Egypt At The National Museum of Australia in Canberra
On display until 8 September 2024 at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra, Discover Ancient Egypt displays fascinating artifacts from the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities (Rijksmuseum van Oudheden).
What’s on Display
Entering the museum, you are greeting by a statue of Anubis, the Egyptian god of funerary rites, protector of graves, and guide to the underworld. From here, the displays take you through the lives of ancient Egyptians, with an emphasis on the funerary process.
Statue of Anubis at the Entrance to the Australian Museum
Stelae
Used for a variety of purposes, stelae are stone or wooden slabs containing information. Uses included burial markers placed outside tombs, monuments that commemorated special events, the marking of boundaries or made offerings to gods. As such they provide a great inside to the thinking of the Egyptians.
Funerary stela of Hor, Late period 26th Dynasty c.664-525 BCELimestone offering stela of Khu and his family, Middle Kingdom, 12th Dynasty, c.1878-1843 BCEStela of Pamaaf, showing Pamaaf making an offering to Re-Horakhty and a figure of Ptah-Sokar-OsirisLimestone offering stela, 12th Dynasty, c.2080-1940 BCE
Sarcophagi and Coffins
This was one of the largest parts of the display, with 10 coffins on display. The detail of the decorations used on them really has to be seen to be appreciated. Not only are the outsides covered, but the interior as well.
Also in this section, were several mummies. To demonstrate the latest scientific techniques used an interactive display allowed us to see what a 3D scan revealed. This meant that the interior and composition of the mummy could be determined without unwrapping and damaging the body inside.
Cartonnage of Nehemsu, 22 Dynasty, 943-746 BCEInner coffin of Amenhotep – High Priest of Amun, 21st Dynasty 1076-944 BCEDetail of the Inner coffin of Amenhotep 1076-944 BCEMummy cover of Khonsuhotep, Third Intermediate Period 1076-944 BCEInner coffin of Khonsuhotep, Third Intermediate Period 1076-944 BCECoffin of Haytemhat, Late Period, c.722-332 BCE
Canopic Jars
During the mummification process, the internal organs and brain were removed. As these would be needed in the afterlife, they were stored in canopic jars. On display, were a series of jars, showing how the designed changed from square boxes, to stone jars.
Canopic chest, Late Period, 722-322 BCEThree canopic jars
Burial Goods
To ensure the dead enjoyed the afterlife, the tombs contained objects they would need. This could be as simple as a model of a boat, or a complex diorama showing the making of bread and the brewing of beer, to ensure that these were is plentiful supply.
Winged scarab, representing the rising sunTomb statue of Hormin 19th Dynasty, 1290-1213 BCEPyramidion of Pauty, New Kingdom 1539-1077 BCEShip model 722-322 BCEModel Granary, Middle Kingdom 1980-1760 BCE
What Did We Think?
This was a fantastic exhibition and highly recommended to anyone who likes archaeology or ancient history. Laid out with plenty of detailed descriptions, the displays are amazing. If you’re in Canberra while it’s on, it’s a great way to see Egyptian artifacts without leaving the country.
Replica of the Rosetta Stone
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