Oxford's Ashmolean Museum is to open six new galleries for its Ancient Egypt and Nubia collections tomorrow (26 November), following £5m development project.

Designed by Rick Mather Architects, the new facilities have been built by the Oxford-based contractor, Beard, and will present the attraction's collections under six broad themes.

The themes are: Egypt at its Origins; Dynastic Egypt and Nubia; Life after Death in Ancient Egypt; the Armarna 'Revolution; Egypt in the Age of Empires; and Egypt meets Greece and Rome.

It is the second phase of major redevelopment at the museum following an extension which opened in 2009 and will enable objects that have been stored for decades to go on show.

The pre-existing Egypt galleries have been revamped as part of the project, in addition to an extension into the restored Ruskin Gallery - formerly home to the museum shop.

Lord Sainsbury's Linbury Trust has helped fund the work, along with the Selz Foundation and other trusts, foundations and individuals.

Ashmolean Museum director Christopher Brown said: "Rick Mather's design for the galleries now allows us to display material that, for reasons of conservation, has not been seen for up to half a century."

Image: Dynastic Egypt and Nubia - (c) Richard Bryant and arcaid.co.uk