WORLD-RENOWNED Egyptologist Joann Fletcher has curated a number of exhibitions but she says the recently-opened Cleopatra and the Queens of Egypt in her hometown is the one she’s most proud of.

Joann, a world authority on ancient Egypt, from its pharaohs to mummification, and has published nine books, made numerous television appearances, won a BAFTA and wrote and presented ‘Immortal Egypt’ on BBC2 which saw her dubbed as Barnsley’s Cleopatra.

Her most recent exhibition opened at the Experience Barnsley Museum on Saturday and is set to run for the next 12 months.

She told the Chronicle: “For me, this is the best it could ever be because this is 5,000 years of female history, Egyptian history, but mainly female history.

“We’ve got the world’s first named woman.

“She was a queen of Egypt in 3,000 BC and that takes us right through another 3,000 years to the great Cleopatra herself.

“But then we’ve got the last 2,000 years of us looking back at Cleopatra, how her story came down the generations.

“Everybody knows the Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra play.

“But also then how Hollywood has interpreted Cleopatra.

“And it’s that wonderful, wonderful story, how each generation has its own take on Cleopatra and all the queens of Egypt that inspired her.

“It’s a way for us to plug in in this modern world and look back at what women can achieve, as not just as queens, but as female pharaohs.

“These women were at the very top of the tree.

“So for me to be able to tell parts of their story as much as I possibly can is an immense privilege.

“To do it in my hometown is a bonus, an utter bonus, and an absolute joy.”

There’s a number of lesser-known Barnsley links to ancient Egypt included in the exhibition.

These links include/ coins minted by Cleopatra and Mark Antony found in Darfield after being buried for safety almost 1,700 years ago,/ and artwork by Barnsley-born Egyptologist Harold Jones, a colleague of Howard Carter who discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun.

Joann said curating the exhibition was a proud moment - showcasing Barnsley’s links whilst also bringing artefacts from around the world to her hometown.

She added: “I think the most rewarding part of all has been bringing all this knowledge about these fabulous queens of Egypt that so many brilliant international colleagues have been working on for so long here.

“Because this isn’t just an exhibition I’ve been putting together.

“We’ve been so lucky to work with colleagues in Cairo, Barcelona, London and all the wonderful associates here in Barnsley.

“This has literally been over three years in the making.

“I wanted very much to tell this amazing story of these great women going back 5,000 years, culminating with the great Cleopatra, but also very much rooted in our part of the world because there’s a lot of Barnsley content in this.

“People might not think of ancient Egypt and Barnsley in the same sentence but they’re closely mixed and I’ve brought that together in this exhibition.”

Some of the most influential people in the sphere are set to arrive in Barnsley to view the exhibition - and Joann admits she has a couple of favourite pieces.

She said: “We’ve got people coming up from around Yorkshire and London.

“A couple have come over for the preview from Barcelona and next month a couple of colleagues from Cairo are coming.

“They came for the Tut 22 exhibition and they were really impressed by that and by Barnsley, by the cultural wealth we’ve got in our town.

“But that’s what makes Barnsley so special - it’s all these hidden gems.

“It’s an honour and a privilege to share this with everybody.

“Favourite artefact? It has to be this superb head of Cleopatra - but it’s also a signed photograph of Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra.

“To have all that in this room where the content is so rich is great.

“It’s been a labour of love in the best possible way.”

Joann has worked tirelessly on the exhibition and added: “I’m feeling very, very tired, but very, very relieved that we’re able to actually realise the way I’ve seen it in my head.

“And you’re trying to get things out there and make them look as good as they possibly could.

“So I’m relieved but thrilled to bits.

“And to be here in Experience Barnsley, which is such a jewel in the town’s crown, it really brings everything together.”