Nile in the North

Exploring Ancient Egypt's legacy in Northern England

THE PROJECT

Ancient Egypt is closer than you think.

Across Northern England, museums care for extraordinary collections of ancient Egyptian objects, each with stories stretching thousands of years and thousands of miles.

Nile in the North is a proposed creative heritage project exploring these collections, their histories and the people and places connected to them.Through photography, film and collaborative storytelling, the project aims to bring these remarkable collections to new audiences.

Bringing ancient collections to life.

Three creative approaches. One shared story.

Photography

Carefully considered photography that reveals the craftsmanship, intricate details and character of ancient Egyptian objects.Working alongside museums and collections teams, the project will create a distinctive visual record that can support exhibitions, interpretation and public engagement.

Film

Short, engaging films bringing collections and their stories to life.Through conversations with curators, researchers and museum professionals, we'll explore the objects, their significance and the people who care for them today.

Storytelling

Every object has a story that reaches far beyond its museum display.Through research and collaboration, we'll explore where these objects came from, how they arrived in Northern England and what they can tell us about both ancient Egypt and our own regional history.

THE PROPOSED PILOT · 2027

Starting in the North. Thinking bigger.

The initial phase of Nile in the North will focus on developing a collaborative pilot with a small number of museums across Northern England.Working with participating institutions, we'll identify selected objects and stories, develop photography and short films, and explore opportunities for public engagement.The pilot will establish a foundation for future partnerships, potential exhibitions and a wider regional project, subject to funding and museum participation.

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BEHIND THE PROJECT

A lifelong fascination. A creative vision.

I'm Scott van der Zanden, a professional photographer, filmmaker and creative project lead based in West Yorkshire.I've spent over ten years working professionally in photography and filmmaking, alongside a personal interest in ancient Egyptian history that stretches back around three decades.Nile in the North brings those two worlds together, combining my creative experience with a genuine passion for exploring and sharing the stories behind these remarkable collections.

Conceived and creatively directed by Scott van der Zanden, with specialist research, interpretation and project delivery developed collaboratively with participating institutions and creative professionals.

COLLABORATION & PARTNERSHIPS

Let's uncover these stories together.

Nile in the North is currently in development, and I'm looking to connect with museums, curators, heritage professionals and potential funding partners interested in helping shape the project.

Get in touch