They are displayed alongside objects from our own important
collections which have contributed to the understanding of life,
death and the afterlife in Ancient Egypt. This will be the only
opportunity to see this intriguing exhibition in the UK.
Images © Rijksmuseum
van Oudheden (Leiden, the Netherlands).
Archaeology meets science
The Ancient Egyptian belief in the afterlife and their desire to
preserve the body after death has left a rich legacy for
archaeologists and scientists to study. Fascinating
Mummies reveals people from the past who lived, worked and
died over 2,000 years ago. That mummies should have survived
through so many centuries is almost miraculous. Once pillaged or
displayed as curios, mummies later became objects of discovery and
scientific examination.
Technology bringing the past to life
Modern technologies, often developed for the medical field, have
enabled scientists and archaeologists to develop their knowledge of
Egyptian illnesses, eating habits and living conditions. The
exhibition includes a very recent CT scan of a mummy from the
National Museums Scotland’s collection. The scan provided new
information, which cannot otherwise be seen, about the
mummification of the body and its condition, and reveals the
scarabs which were enclosed in the wrapping.
Ankhor, high priest of Thebes
One of the exhibition’s central stories is that of Ankhhor, a
high priest of Thebes who lived 650 years before Christ. The
Ankhhor mummy and its three coffins became part of the Rijksmuseum
van Oudheden collection in 1828. Unusually for that time, the
museum experts did not unwrap the mummy. Although much had been
learned from hieroglyphics and symbols on his three sarcophagi, it
is only recently that we have come to learn about Ankhhor and his
secrets. A CT scan gave an insight into his anatomy, age and
general health and showed how Ankhhor was mummified.
A fascinating glimpse into history
Ancient Egyptians believed that they died only to be born again.
Carefully preserved by the embalmer’s art for this new life,
mummies have become important witnesses to the past. The work of
archaeologists and scientists has helped reveal many new insights
into this fascinating civilisation.
About the exhibition
This concept was developed in partnership with the Rijksmuseum
van Oudheden, Leiden, the Netherlands and the Musée de la
civilisation, Québec, Canada.
The exhibition is supported by the Patrons of National Museums
Scotland.