Mummy-Cloth

Mummy-Cloth

Object name: Mummy-Cloth
Date: 1500-1300 BC
Dimensions:
107 x 118 x 10 mm
Medium: Linen, wood, paper, glass, ink
Object number: C00479
DescriptionPiece of linen from the mummy of Horseiri, the son of Naspihiniegosi, an incense bearing priest in the Temple of Amun at Thebes. The mummy was unwrapped by Thomas Pettigrew at the Royal College of Surgeons on January 16th 1834. The linen has been framed under glass, and sealed with red silk.
The unwrapping of the mummy was a social event as much as a scientific one. Souvenirs of the event were distributed afterwards to the audience, the higher status individuals receiving more important parts of the mummy such as mummified body parts. Items such as this piece of wrapping were distributed to "less socially important" people.
Culture: Ancient Egyptian