The Manchester Museum has welcomed a new exhibition titled ‘Golden Mummies of Egypt’, which celebrates the intricate casings that the Egyptians crafted for their dead.
The exhibition, which had previously toured North America and China, chose not to include any X-rays or CT scans of the human remains below the wrappings, instead, choosing to refocus attention onto the outside of the casings, as opposed to the inside.
The exhibition’s curator, Campbell Price, hoped to change the conversation about mummies by debunking the myth that mummification was only about preserving the dead.
Price believes that mummification was about transforming the dead into gods by using iconography associated with funerary gods. By offering reassurance that the person inside is ready for the afterlife, the Egyptians sought to ensure the dead were sent off in grandeur.
The show aims to show the external deification of mummies rather than simply focusing on biomedical interpretations of the bodies.
Price believes that the long-term physical preservation of the body was always less significant than the ritual act of preparing the body for the afterlife. Looking at the exhibition, it is clear that these later-period mummies were meant to be publicly displayed and admired for years, possibly even generations, following their death, as a kind of “divine statue.” The exhibition features several mummies that fit the classic image that most people have, with their gold and blue, heavy-eyed ‘death masks.’
The Manchester Museum has done an excellent job in showcasing the intricate and artistic skills of the ancient Egyptians in the ‘Golden Mummies of Egypt’ exhibition. By shifting the focus from the biomedical interpretations of mummies to external deification, the exhibition provides a unique and fascinating insight into the ancient Egyptian beliefs and customs regarding the afterlife.
The exhibition’s curator, Campbell Price, has successfully debunked the myth that mummification was only about preserving the dead and has highlighted the importance of the ritual act of preparing the body for the afterlife. By displaying the beautifully crafted casings and iconic funerary symbols used by the Egyptians, the exhibition has showcased the ancient Egyptians’ devotion and reverence towards their dead.
Overall, the ‘Golden Mummies of Egypt’ exhibition at the Manchester Museum is a must-see for anyone interested in ancient Egyptian history and culture.
