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The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization: A Narrative Analysis of Nationalism

Kelsey, Jasperiah Kocaurek LU (2026) SIMZ41 20251
Master of Science in Middle Eastern Studies
Abstract
This thesis explores the narrative of the National Museum of Egyptian
Civilization in Cairo and seeks to expose the underlying nationalist ideology of
the Egyptian state. Through observations of the museums curated content, the
thesis employes the tools of narrative analysis to uncover the specific conception
of the nation that the state seeks to promote. Understanding the museum as an
ideological state apparatus, the research seeks to demonstrate how museums
utilize narratives of the past in order to achieve political goals of legitimacy and nation-building in the present. The research found that through the use of
architecture, strategic locating of the museum, and deliberate curation of cultural
and historical artifacts,... (More)
This thesis explores the narrative of the National Museum of Egyptian
Civilization in Cairo and seeks to expose the underlying nationalist ideology of
the Egyptian state. Through observations of the museums curated content, the
thesis employes the tools of narrative analysis to uncover the specific conception
of the nation that the state seeks to promote. Understanding the museum as an
ideological state apparatus, the research seeks to demonstrate how museums
utilize narratives of the past in order to achieve political goals of legitimacy and nation-building in the present. The research found that through the use of
architecture, strategic locating of the museum, and deliberate curation of cultural
and historical artifacts, the museum constructs a narrative of historical continuity, enduring sovereignty, and civilization glory. In addition, the museum constructs the nation of Egypt as Islamic, with origins in a glorious ancient past and the modern state as both the heir and steward to this history. (Less)
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author
Kelsey, Jasperiah Kocaurek LU
supervisor
organization
course
SIMZ41 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Egypt, Museums, Nationalism, Narrative, Narrative Analysis, Middle East, Ideology
language
English
id
9225331
date added to LUP
2026-06-25 10:38:01
date last changed
2026-06-25 10:38:01
@misc{9225331,
  abstract     = {{This thesis explores the narrative of the National Museum of Egyptian 
Civilization in Cairo and seeks to expose the underlying nationalist ideology of 
the Egyptian state. Through observations of the museums curated content, the 
thesis employes the tools of narrative analysis to uncover the specific conception 
of the nation that the state seeks to promote. Understanding the museum as an 
ideological state apparatus, the research seeks to demonstrate how museums
utilize narratives of the past in order to achieve political goals of legitimacy and nation-building in the present. The research found that through the use of 
architecture, strategic locating of the museum, and deliberate curation of cultural 
and historical artifacts, the museum constructs a narrative of historical continuity, enduring sovereignty, and civilization glory. In addition, the museum constructs the nation of Egypt as Islamic, with origins in a glorious ancient past and the modern state as both the heir and steward to this history.}},
  author       = {{Kelsey, Jasperiah Kocaurek}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization: A Narrative Analysis of Nationalism}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}