At last the long awaited Mummy exhibition has hit the Queensland Museum in Brisbane and it is fantastic! The British Museum has over 120 Mummies in their collection from Egypt, and six individual Mummies from Egypt between 3000 and 1800 years ago are now on display here in Brisbane, with more than 200 artefacts from the World famous Egyptian collection.
The thought provoking display gives an insight into the lives of six individuals ranging from only 2-3 years old to middle aged. Each Mummy is accompanied by funerary ornaments and fascinating CT scans illustrating the skeletal form underneath, and explaining the embalming and wrapping process for physical preservation into the next life. The opportunity to hear the stories whilst viewing the body has a personal touch, allowing the visitor be a witness to the life and death of each Mummy. This transforms them from a museum artefact to the body of a real person, creating a poignant reminder of our own mortality.
The plethora of artefacts accompanying the Mummy exhibit are entrancing. With items from everyday life such as sandals and musical instruments, to wine jars and coptic jars as vessels for the organs of the deceased. There are also many detailed Stelae, limestone tombstones that accompany the bodies, with hieroglyphics and carvings depicting the life of the individual, and of their journey into the afterlife.
As you progress through the exhibition rooms the visitor is guided through the complicated process of mummification of the body for preservation, even including how the sarcophagi were painted and the significance of the beautiful illustrations.
A favourite of the exhibition are the artefacts highlighting a magical use, including the Wedjat eye and scarab amulets for protection, and an intricately carved ivory wand known to be used in protection rituals. One of the exhibits also highlights the pantheon of the Egyptian Gods with accompanying carved statues.
Another popular interactive exhibit allows you to manipulate the CT scans of the Mummies and examine in closer detail the skeletal remains, highlighting injuries and the invasive results of the mummification process when the brains and major organs are removed prior to embalming.
The six Mummies include:
Nestawedjat – Lady of the House, circa 700 BC, Tamut – Chantress of Amun, circa 900 BC, Irthorru – Priest at Akhmim, circa 600 BC, Priestess, a singer of the Anterior of Amun – circa 900 BC, A 2-3 year Old Child – circa 40-60 AD and a Young Man – circa 100-200 AD
There is also an ‘Adult only’ opportunity to attend the exhibition on Friday evening, the 23rd March, with more evenings to be announced. Here you can browse the exhibitions in a sedate and relaxed manor, free from the distractions of children, with a beer or a glass of wine. There are also additional science demonstrations and displays, live music, and talk on how to Brew like an Egyptian: Ancient Egyptian Beer Making with Dr Serena Love and tickets also include access to the World Science Festival.
Bookings are recommended to view the exhibition due to its popularity via the Queensland Museum website, although limited tickets are available at the Museum.
Despite the Egyptian Mummies: Exploring Ancient Lives exhibition running until August, I recommend you visit sooner rather than later, as you will definitely want to attend more than once!
By Dr Gemma Regan
Egyptian Mummies: Exploring Ancient Lives Exhibition, Queensland Museum, Brisbane
16 March 2018 - 26 August 2018