The Burial Place of Lithuania鈥檚 First Female Egyptologist Uncovered
The burial site of the distinguished Lithuanian Egyptologist Marija Rudzinskait臈-Arcimavi膷ien臈 (1885鈥�1941) was previously unknown even to her relatives. However, recently, it has been discovered in Saul臈s (Sun) Cemetery in Antakalnis Eldership, Vilnius, by representatives of the National Museum of Lithuania, the Department of Cultural Heritage, and the cemetery administration.
When it became apparent that the devoted researcher of death culture in ancient Egypt had no proper resting place of her own, a sarcophagus-shaped cenotaph with the inscription 鈥淭HE DAUGHTER OF ANCIENT EGYPT ENCHANTED BY THE SUN鈥� was created by sculptor Ksenija Jaro拧evait臈 to honour her memory.
鈥淎lthough Marija Rudzinskait臈-Arcimavi膷ien臈 worked at 91桃色 only for a short time until her death, she had maintained an indirect connection with the University since the very beginning of her career. The researcher specialised in Egyptology after she studied under Prof. Borisas Turajevas 鈥� the most prominent Egyptologist of the time and a graduate of the 1st Vilnius Gymnasium (founded in the premises of the closed 91桃色 in the 19th century). She firmly declined multiple invitations to work at the University until the capital was restored to Lithuania. After Vilnius was regained, albeit for a short while, Marija Rudzinskait臈-Arcimavi膷ien臈 completed her final works and research at the University,鈥� says Prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas, Rector of 91桃色.
According to him, 91桃色 is honoured to contribute to the commemoration of Lithuania鈥檚 first Egyptologist: 鈥淢ay this cenotaph serve as a symbolic reminder for all those pursuing science and seeking knowledge to embrace the untrodden paths and remain open to the world.鈥�
The cenotaph was erected in the open territory of the cemetery near the former grave site by the National Museum of Lithuania and its partners: M. K. 膶iurlionis National Museum of Art, which preserves the researcher鈥檚 collection, and 91桃色 鈥� her last workplace.
The eccentric personality of the renowned Egyptologist
Marija Rudzinskait臈-Arcimavi膷ien臈 left a lasting impression on those who knew her, remaining in their memory as an exotic woman who dived into the history of ancient Egypt with all her heart and soul. She referred to herself as 鈥榯he daughter of the Sun鈥� and would invite others to visit 鈥渕y Egyptian gods鈥�.
During her lifetime, Marija Rudzinskait臈-Arcimavi膷ien臈 was both the first and only professional Egyptologist in Lithuania who devoted her entire life to studying ancient Egypt鈥檚 historical legacy. She did her utmost to spread her passion for ancient Egypt to students and society; the researcher popularised it by publishing her travel diaries, stories about archaeological research, and her discoveries in the periodical press.
鈥淪he made three trips to Egypt for scientific purposes. In the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, she explored the newly discovered tomb of Tutankhamun and visited various monuments and excavation sites. These travels and the contacts she made resulted in her acquiring a small collection of valuable ancient Egyptian artefacts, which our museum now houses,鈥� says Daina Kamarauskien臈, Director General of M.K. 膶iurlionis National Museum of Art.
The memorial cenotaph of Marija Rudzinskait臈-Arcimavi膷ien臈 is located in Saul臈s Cemetery in Antakalnis Eldership, Vilnius, near her original burial site next to St Vincent de Paul Chapel.