THE mysteries of ancient Egypt have been revealed by young archaeologists who have opened their own museum.

Youngsters at Clarendon Primary School came to be in possession of a real Shabti, inspiring them to step back in time to find out more.

The Great Lever school was lucky enough to have the artefact on loan from Manchester Museum.

Claire Coldwell, senior leader at the school, said: "The Shabti was brought in secret to the school one evening and displayed in a display case.

“Children were asked what they thought it was.

“They were so excited and giddy about what it could be.”

A Shabti is a funerary figurine used in Ancient Egyptian funeral rites which would act as servants for the deceased in the afterlife

So intrigued were they with the artefact, children, including reception pupils, set out on a journey to find out more about ancient Egypt.

The school held a creative history day in which children incorporated the Shabti into their writing, and researched the ancient beliefs of the afterlife.

They documented their fascinating findings through pieces of writing and art, by creating items including model pyramids, chariot jewellery, boats and scarab beetles.

Their exhibits were displayed in their very own museum, which was visited by parents and children at Bishop Bridgeman CE Primary School. They were served the food that would have been enjoyed by ancient Egyptians, including olives and bread, which children made at school.

Miss Coldwell said: “Each class had to nominate two representatives to speak to visitors about their display.

“They were so knowledgeable that one of the teachers visiting said one of five-year-olds would make a good curator.

“Parents and children from Bishop Bridgeman CE Primary School were blown away by the visit to the museum.”

She added: "The excitement in the school at the moment is still tangible. You can feel the giddiness from the children. They enjoyed doing their own research, working as a team.

“They applied what they learned to their writing, in art and verbally.”