The Nile Valley and the relics of Ancient Egypt have fascinated generation upon generation. The afterlife, the gods, the pyramids, the catacombs. As Plato once said, “Compared with the Egyptians, the Greeks are childish mathematicians.” On view now at the Art Institute of Chicago are arresting Egyptian sculptures such as as the Statue of Shebenhor—a black, perfectly intact object marked with hieroglyphs—as well as funerary masks, containers, and statuettes. Everyday objects and video installations provide insight into Ancient Egyptians’ natural environment, their rituals, religion, and daily life. These relics trace 3,000 years of ancient history. —Elena Clavarino