SEGA Europe Limited and Creative Assembly have today announced they will be opening the ‘Ancient Legacies of Egypt’ exhibition, showcasing a series of sand sculptures, to celebrate the launch of the highly anticipated Total War: PHARAOH.

SEGA surveyed 2,000 adults across the UK and found that only one in four (24%) consider themselves to be knowledgeable about Ancient Egypt. Indeed, although three out of five (61%) Brits want to learn more about Ancient Egypt, half (49%) admit they have never visited an Ancient Egyptian exhibition or display in a museum. Meanwhile, less than half (45%) learned about Ancient Egypt in school and a third (32%) say their knowledge of the period has come from movies instead.

Following these findings, SEGA commissioned specialists Sand In Your Eye to bring to life some of the most iconic landmarks and pharaohs from Ancient Egypt, including the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Great Sphinx of Giza, and the bust of Ramesses III. Each of the sculptures weigh 800kg and will stand approximately 1.7m tall.

Bettany Hughes, the historian who has presented shows including Egypt’s Great River and Egypt’s Great Treasures, will open the ‘Ancient Legacies of Egypt’ exhibition at The Outernet London to the public on Wednesday 11th October.

Bettany Hughes, Historian and TV presenter, said: “I am delighted to team up with SEGA and Creative Assembly to open the ‘Ancient Legacies of Egypt’ exhibition at The Outernet London. The sand sculptures all look incredible with immense attention to detail. Ancient Egypt was such a fascinating period in history and it’s great to see some of its iconic landmarks brought to life in the heart of London to celebrate the launch of Total War: PHARAOH.”

Todor Nikolov, Game Director for Total War: PHARAOH, said: “We chose Ancient Egypt as the next chapter in our historical strategy series because it remains one of the most iconic periods in the history of humankind. Thousands of years after its downfall, its breath-taking architecture, charismatic leaders, and epic tales of warfare remain some of the most alluring to have ever existed. Sand In Your Eye have intricately recreated some of these architectural masterpieces, allowing us to bring the wonder of Ancient Egypt to the centre of London for all to see. We hope to welcome you at the ‘Desert of Ancient Egypt’ exhibition.”

As well as having the opportunity to check out the incredible sand sculptures, the ‘Ancient Legacies of Egypt’ exhibition will also be offering a selection of free Total War: PHARAOH-themed cupcakes and biscuits, as well as a range of hot drinks.

The ‘Ancient Legacies of Egypt’ Exhibition
Date: Wednesday 11th October
Time: 11:00 – 20:30
Location: Pop Up 1, The Outernet London, Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 8LH
Food and drink: Cupcakes, biscuits, and hot drinks
Cost: FREE
Total War: PHARAOH is the newest entry in the award-winning Total War strategy series, where players will immerse themselves in Ancient Egypt at the zenith of its power and experience the dramatic events that threaten its destruction.

Players will experience the invasions, political turmoil, and natural disasters that hit the Egyptian New Kingdom period, where they’ll fight for survival and determine the fate of three great cultures – the Egyptians, the Hittites, and the Canaanites – amid the cataclysmic Bronze Age Collapse.

Total War: PHARAOH is coming to PC on Wednesday 11th October and is available for pre-order