January 10 - February 14, 2026
The ancient world will come to life as we explore the rise of the earliest civilizations across the globe! Join us for special events, programs, and merchandise celebrating the exhibit Crossroads of Civilization, which highlights ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, and Persia.
Special Events
The Intro: Ancient Civilizations
Saturday, January 10, 2026
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
During this kickoff celebration of MPM's Ancient Civilizations Greatest Hit, visitors can stop by the below interactive stations as we share how archaeology can teach us about the fascinating lifeways of Ancient Egyptians and the Maya.
Mummification Wrap
Explore how and why Ancient Egyptians mummified their dead using life-size models in this hands-on demonstration. Each step provides insight into the time and care needed in mummification as well as Ancient Egyptians' understanding of the afterlife.
Located in Crossroads of Civilization on the Third Floor
Maya Masters
The Maya mastered many things from hieroglyphs and architecture to math, astronomy, and so much more! Learn about what we know, how we know it, and what we can continue to learn from their many great works.
Located in Sense of Wonder on the First Floor
Storytimes and Activities for Early Learners
Families with young children (recommended for ages 3-6) are invited to join Museum Educators for hands-on activities and storytimes about ancient civilizations. Storytimes will take place at selected times throughout the day. Kids can also try to recreate some of the most famous ancient Maya structures using blocks. The Maya built massive cities we can still see today!
Located in the First Floor Butterfly Wing play area
Ancient Appetites
Thursday, January 29, 2026
7-9:30 p.m.
Take a global culinary exploration of the past during this after-hours adults-only event!
Throughout the evening, guests can wander through a series of table stops, each focused on a different region that looks at the flavors and food traditions that have shaped cultures across time. Samples at each station will help bring these stories, and their ingredients, to life. Stations will also feature alcoholic drink samples tied to global traditions.
Located in the Second and Third Floor exhibit galleries
Tasting Menu
- Stuffed dates: pistachios, pecorino, black pepper, honey (vegetarian, GF)
- Lentil daal with rice coconut milk and cilantro (vegan)
- Pozole verde soup shooters (vegetarian)
- Braised mutton and barley
- Charred squash with pipian (vegetarian)
- Honey sesame cookies
- Hawaiian butter mochi
Cost and Reservations
$55 per person
Sustainer+ presale: December 10; public sale December 15
This is a 21+ event. IDs will be checked at the door.
The Finale: Ancient Civilizations
Saturday, February 14, 2026
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
During our closeout celebration of the Ancient Civilizations Greatest Hit, stop by the below interactive stations as we share rare insight into MPM's two Egyptian mummies on display and explore the foodways that sustained people long ago.
Mummification and Memory
Learn about Padi-Heru and Djed-Hor, the two people mummified in our Crossroads of Civilization exhibit. We'll feature their stories and offer a sneak peek of how Egyptian mummification will be showcased in the Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin.
Located in Crossroads of Civilization on the Third Floor
Ancient Foods
Feed your curiosity (metaphorically) as you discover a few of the fundamental foods that fueled ancient civilizations. Some will be familiar favorites, but some might come as a surprise!
Located in the Third Floor elevator lobby
Storytimes and Activities for Early Learners
Families with young children (recommended for ages 3-6) are invited to join Museum Educators for hands-on activities and storytimes about ancient civilizations. Storytimes will take place at selected times throughout the day. Kids can also try to recreate some of the most famous ancient Maya structures using blocks. The Maya built massive cities we can still see today!
Located in the First Floor Butterfly Wing play area
Education Stations
Weekdays, January 12-February 13, 2026
During the week, Museum Educators will be at one or more of the following hands-on learning stations. Programming based on daily availability, times may vary.
Mummification Wrap
Explore how and why Ancient Egyptians mummified their dead using life-sized models in this hands-on demonstration. Each step provides insight into the time and care needed in mummification as well as Ancient Egyptians' understanding of the afterlife.
King Tut's Dagger from Outer Space
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a... Dagger? Stop by to learn about King Tut's “iron from the sky” dagger as well as a little science about meteorites.
Spilling the Tea (On Tea)
Since ancient times, people have looked for a way to put a pep in their step. Explore what tea is, where it comes from, and why this revolutionary plant became so popular.
Building Histories: Maya Arches
Learn about the many tools and techniques the Maya used to build their cities and what still stands today.
Artifact Vs. Specimen
When do objects become artifacts? And what stories can they tell archaeologists? Find out what artifacts can teach us about the ancient (and not so ancient) past!
Self-Guided Activity
Stop Spots: Trade of the Ancient Crossroads
January 10-February 14, 2026
The ancient trade routes helped spread goods, ideas, and connect people and cultures thousands of miles apart. Go on this self-led activity through the Museum's exhibits, and find the artifacts that civilizations traded for, used as money, and were found thousands of miles from their origin.
School Programs and Resources
Reserve an Educator: Ancient Egypt
January 22 and 30, and February 12, 2026
Schedule this school group-only program with two adaptable modules, both which will be available as a drop-in program across these days.
- Tour Crossroads: Educators will lead you through the Crossroads of Civilization exhibit, exploring the major themes of the exhibit and how archaeology lets us know what we know.
- Mummification Demonstration: See the steps and learn about the care and significance behind Ancient Egyptian mummification in this hands-on demonstration.
Ancient Civilizations Reading List
We've curated a list of books about ancient civilizations around the world for both young and adult readers! Download here.
Exhibit Spotlight
Crossroads of Civilization
Crossroads of Civilization explores how the ancient civilizations of Africa, Europe, and Asia came together to form an epicenter of complex culture, creating not just a physical crossroads, but an intellectual one as well.
Drawing on decades of Museum-led excavations, research, and exhibit-building expertise, Crossroads of Civilization brings the ancient world to life by presenting more than 200 artifacts from the Museum's collections alongside dynamic interactive technologies based on emerging research. Below are a few exhibit highlights:
- Mummies: MPM's two Egyptian mummies, Padi-Heru and Djed-Hor, have been part of MPM's collection since 1887. Using the latest technology, visitors can now peer inside MPM's two Egyptian mummies through CT scan imagery.
- King Tut and his chariot: Witness a life-size recreation of the boy king driving a magnificent chariot, featuring a forensic reconstruction of Tut's facial features based on CT scans performed on his mummy.
- Medinet Habu: See a circa-1960s MPM-created scale model of the first courtyard of the temple of Pharaoh Ramesses III. This visitor favorite is supplemented with a digital fly-through of inner rooms of the temple.
- Interactive Timeline: Explore 4,000 years of history from the rise of the earliest civilizations of Egypt and Mesopotamia to the fall of the Western Roman Empire using a wall-sized interactive timeline.
- Maps: Flanked by life-size figures of Greek and Persian warriors from 500 BCE, a large video screen depicts the growth, expansion, and decline of dozens of civilizations, kingdoms, and empires throughout a span of 5,000 years.
MPM's Greatest Hits features a lineup of five different month-long celebrations of special events and programs highlighting MPM's most popular and impactful exhibits—or “greatest hits.”
Check out the full list of Greatest Hits.
The last day of operation at the current location will be January 3, 2027. An official opening date for the Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin is still being determined. Stay updated on our monumental move.