Shabti (funerary statuette)
Source: National Museum of Antiquities, Netherlands
Mummies: Ancient Egypt and the Afterlife is the next major exhibition for the Touring Hall at Melbourne Museum.
Shopping for your own funeral may seem rather bizarre to us, but to the ancient Egyptians it was an essential part of preparation for the afterlife.
Mummies traces the story of the death of Keku, a young woman who lived in Thebes 2550-2700 years ago, during the Late Period (664-332 BCE). Her wealthy father describes the processes of preparation; buying the goods required, embalming, the techniques used in mummification; the funeral, burial and the journey to paradise.
The exhibition displays over 200 objects, including mummified human and animal remains, coffins, statues, ancient papyrus, bowls, vases, jugs, tools, statues and jewellery.
It also includes a scientific approach to archaeology. X-rays of Keku’s remains confirm she died in her early twenties and CT scans show details of her body’s mummification were somewhat unusual, leading to speculation that the embalmers took shortcuts.
Organised by the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden, the Netherlands, and the Australian Museum, Sydney, Mummies: Ancient Egypt and the Afterlife opens on 24 June 2005, and follows the highly successful Dinosaurs from China exhibition.