Ancient Egyptian Mummies

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History has arranged its largest exhibition on ancient Egyptian mummies and artifacts in the history, “Eternal Life in Ancient Egypt”. The expanded exhibition include an additional eight cases focusing on the science behind studying mummies. In exhibition, a combination of rare artifacts and cutting-edge research tools illuminate how Smithsonian scientists have pieced together the lives of ancient Egyptians through their burial practices and rituals in preparation for their eternal life. Many of the objects going on display will be on view for the first time.

This new exhibition explores Ancient Egyptians obsession with life and with a quest to achieve an eternal life after death, showcasing more mummies and more of our remarkable collections of Egyptian artifacts than have ever been able to share with visitors. Moreover it took a unique perspective as it examined the lives of everyday Egyptians, their close relationship with their gods and the steps they took to assure everlasting life both before and after death.”

Two of the new cases focus specifically on mummy science. State of the art, scientific techniques like CT scanning and two different types of facial …show more content…
Animals were also mummified and included in burials in an attempt by the Egyptians to fulfill their after-life experience offerings to the gods as well as symbolic food and even pets. A variety of different species were mummified and will be presented in these three cases, including cats, ibises, raptors, crocodiles and snakes. One of the most impressive specimens is a bull mummy that was specially chosen for mummification because certain bulls were believed to be the living representation of the sun god. Some animals were in such high demand for mummification that they became extinct due to the practice, which had a serious impact on the Egyptian