If you've been lucky enough to have strolled through the British Museum in London, you probably know that there is very little British culture within its walls. In fact, the Museum might have only the Louvre to contend with for the title of largest colonial loot repository. Ancient Egypt was one of the cultures from which the British stole mercilessly, thus making the collection in London the best spot for viewing Egyptian relics outside of Egypt itself.

Well, it is no longer necessary to risk warm beer, the tube and football hooliganism to see some of the most valued and studied treasures from the banks of the Nile.

The Eternal Egypt exhibit, now showing at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts through March 16, is a delightful glimpse into ancient Egyptian culture.

The exhibit displays artifacts from Egypt's archaic roots to the Old, Middle and New Kingdoms, to its decline and subsequent incorporation into a series of foreign empire—tracing the evolution of art forms throughout the three millenia of ancient Egyptian dominance.

The exhibition is in the middle of its tour of eight U.S. cities before the artifacts head back to London, their home for the last few centuries.

Organized chronologically, the exposition includes some of the best preserved Egyptian sculptures, paintings and papyri in existence.

The MIA normally has a paltry selection of Egyptian artifacts as part of their regular collection, so this should be a special treat for Egyptian-inclined Minnesotans.

One of the main attractions on display are, naturally, two mummies, (I guess the British Museum didn't want to relinquish the extended mummy collection which also includes the Ark of the Covenant, some Nazis and Harrison Ford) which has been set aside in a special 'mummy room' that plays appropriately creepy oriental music. The room also has an unusual X-ray of one of the mummies.

Even if your knowledge of Egyptian art, culture and history is limited, the exhibit does a great job in explaining the significance and function of all the works, and the historical and social setting in which they were produced.

Some of the most impressive pieces on display include the huge granite 'Lion of Amenhotep III,' a Theban papyrus with painted images and hieroglyphics from the Book of the Dead, and a Roman period funerary painting, all of which are in mint condition.

These are just the scene-stealers; there are also hundreds of smaller intricate designs such as figurines, jewelry and pottery.

As I overheard an elderly woman tell her equally elderly companion, "They sure had some talented folks back then."

Yes, old lady, they did.

(On the way out, for the sake of entertainment if nothing else, check out the gift shop. It certainly redefines one's definition of kitsch.)

Eternal Egypt is on display through March 16. The Minneapolis Institute of Arts is located at 2400 Third Avenue So., Mpls. It is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tues., Wed., Thurs., Sat., and Sun. It is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays, and is closed on Sat.

Tickets are $8 for students from Tuesday to Friday, and $10 on the weekend. Audio tours cost an extra $4.

For more information about the exhibit and tickets, check out the MIA website at http://www.artsmia.org/eternal-egypt or call (612) 870-3131.