EGYPTIAN
MUMMIES:
EXPLORING
ANCIENT LIVES
September
14, 2019 – February 2, 2020
The
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) is hosting the North
American premiere of Egyptian
Mummies, an
exceptional exhibition that combines arts and science based on
research undertaken by the British Museum. Among a great number of ancient artefacts, it prominently features six
well preserved mummies. Until recently, very little was known
about who these people were, how they lived, and how they died. Thanks to the latest non-invasive technology, the viewer is
transported several thousand years back in time and discovers the
identity of these people who lived along the Nile river between 900
BC and 180 AD. The accompanying 240 objects displayed at the exhibition provide additional context about their lives, beliefs
and their deaths.
The
study of mummies in the past involved removing their multi-layered
wrappings. It was a highly destructive process, rejected by
the museums. Recently, thanks to the advanced medical imaging
techniques, it became possible to study the mummies quite minutely
without unwrapping them. The British Museum used three-dimensional
CT‑scanning technology to study the mummies displayed at this exhibition.
Co-Curator
of the exhibition and Curator of Bioarchaeology at The British
Museum, Daniel Antoine explained:
"The latest scanning technology has allowed us to virtually peel away the layers of wrappings so visitors can explore the carefully mummified remains of six unique individuals in unprecedented detail. Without unwrapping their remains, we have discovered new insights into life and death in ancient Egypt, such as the embalming methods used to preserve the bodies and their state of health at death. Using the latest science and technology, we can begin to understand the person behind the mask whilst ensuring their integrity remains."
CT scanners use a combination of x-rays and a computer to create an image. The x-ray beam circles around the body, creating thousands of transversal images. The data is then gathered by cutting-edge software, which creates detailed 3D visualizations that allow to view the mummies' internal structures without the need to unwrap their fragile remains.
These
technological advancements and 3 D imaging have clearly revealed the biological
information about each skeleton. By using scoring methods
developed by forensic archaeologists and physical anthropologists,
age at death could be estimated from dental or skeletal development.
The scans can also determine the individuals' sex and height, the
illnesses they suffered from, and the embalming process used to
preserve them. At this exhibition, the results of such scans are projected on a screen, pointing to different areas of interest.
The ancient Egyptians believed that proper treatment of the deceased was of crucial importance for ensuring the continuation of a person's existence into the afterlife. The aim was to preserve the entire body to safeguard it from animals and the elements and to give the person a safe passage into the eternity.
The mummies' examination went hand in hand with other areas of research to determine the type of lives these people lived in order to bring into focus the historical and cultural settings of those past times. The 240 additional objects and 3D digital images reveal the most recent discoveries in Egyptology.
The mummies' examination went hand in hand with other areas of research to determine the type of lives these people lived in order to bring into focus the historical and cultural settings of those past times. The 240 additional objects and 3D digital images reveal the most recent discoveries in Egyptology.
The artefacts that the exhibition presents make the past historical era more vivid and help to immerse the visitors into the Ancient Egiptian setting in which the mummified people on display live. On discovers the old Egyptian writing, habits, believes, objects they used, as well as pictorial images they made which give researchers an additional information about their lives.
Six Mummies, Six Lives
Each former inhabitant of the Nile leads the visitor along a path that retells their unique story. The exhibition is divided into six galleries that explore different themes: the mummification concept and techniques, beliefs and religions, diet and health, family life and cultural diversity.
Each former inhabitant of the Nile leads the visitor along a path that retells their unique story. The exhibition is divided into six galleries that explore different themes: the mummification concept and techniques, beliefs and religions, diet and health, family life and cultural diversity.
1
– The
exhibition opens with Nestawedjat,
a married woman from Thebes whose name means "the one who
belongs to the wedjat
eye."
She was probably between 35 and 49 years old at the time of her death
in about 700 BCE and had lived during the so-called Kushite Dynast
2
–Tamut,
a middle-aged woman, was for her part a chantress of Amun. Her mummy
reveals many amulets that were placed on her skin by the
embalmer-priests after applying cosmetic treatments. Tamut lived
during the Third Intermediate Period, early 22nd Dynasty, about 900
BCE.
3
–Irthorru
was a high stolist priest of Akhmin's temple in charge of dressing
the god Min, and was the master of secrets. His mummy bears witness
to a life spent in service of the gods as well as the power that
priests of his rank held in ancient Egypt. Irthorru was a middle-aged
adult (35-49 years) and lived at the Late Period, 26th Dynasty,
about 600 BCE.
4
–
An unnamed
priestess
takes us back to the temple of Amun, in Karnak. She appears to have
been a singer – a title considered to be highly prestigious from
the 22nd Dynasty onwards – and was probably between 35 and 49 years
old at the time of her death. She lived during the Third Intermediate
Period, 22nd Dynasty, about 800 BCE.
5
– The
young boy
from Hawara
lived during the Roman period. The care with which he was prepared
for the afterlife reflects the newly revered place children occupied
in Egypt at the time – mummification of children was rare before
then. He died around 40-60 CE.
6
–
Similar to hundreds of others found in the oasis of Faiyum, the last
mummy in the exhibition is decorated with a portrait. His identity is
unknown, but on the wooden slab, this young
man from Thebes
is portrayed with dark curly hair and wide eyes. Research has
revealed that he died at about 17 to 20 years of age and lived during
the Roman Period, about 140–180 CE.
Educational activities
To cap off the exhibition, an educational space was designed by Perrine Poiron, PhD candidate in History and Egyptology (UQAM and Université Paris-Sorbonne), in collaboration with Ubisoft. In it, visitors can explore ancient Egypt via a digital experience combining the Egyptian Pantheon and rituals observed for passing into the afterlife.
Educational activities
To cap off the exhibition, an educational space was designed by Perrine Poiron, PhD candidate in History and Egyptology (UQAM and Université Paris-Sorbonne), in collaboration with Ubisoft. In it, visitors can explore ancient Egypt via a digital experience combining the Egyptian Pantheon and rituals observed for passing into the afterlife.
Click on images to enlarge them.
All Photos in this article © Nadia Slejskova
Exhibition Location
The Montreal Museum
Michal and Renata Hornstein Pavilion – Level 2
For more information about the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts exhibitions and activities, visit the museum's website.
