Egyptian death and afterlife: mummies (Room 62)

The Roxie Walker Galleries

About 2686 BC- AD 395

Death and the afterlife held particular significance and meaning for the Ancient Egyptians. Complex funeral preparations and rites were thought to be needed to ensure the transition of the individual from earthly existence to immortality.

Mummification, magic and ritual are investigated through the objects on display in Rooms 62-63. These include coffins, mummies, funerary masks, portraits and other items designed to be buried with the deceased. Modern research methods such as x-rays and CT scans are used to examine the mummification process.

Image captions (clockwise from top left):

Mummy of a cat perhaps 1st century AD

Inner coffin of the priest Hornedjitef 3rd century BC

Mummy case and portrait of Artemidorus around AD 100-120

Wooden statue from the tomb of Ramesses I around 1300 BC

Inner coffin of Henutmehyt around 1250 BC

Page from the Book of the Dead of Hunefer; Weighing the heart around 1275 BC