March 2017 – January 2018: Mummies at the American Museum of Natural History
Reach history of the mummies from pre-Columbian Peru to ancient Egypt
The custom of preserving the bodies of dead humans and animals was practiced by people from ancient times. The most well-preserved objects are usually found in dry and hot climates where nature provides the most suitable environment for the mummification. Due to their geography both Egypt and Peru had very elaborate embalming traditions and associated religious rituals. The exhibition at the American Museum of Natural History brings on view the mummies from these two countries located on opposite sides of the globe.
Photographs by Corrado Serra.
via Mummies at American Museum of Natural History, through January 7, 2018 — Arts Summary
While many think that the oldest mummies came from Egypt, its actually Peru where the oldest mummies were found. The ancient people living in hot and dry areas of nowadays Peru, started making mummies 7,000 years ago. While Egypt’s mummies are better known, its oldest is 3,500 years old.
The show at the American Museum of Natural History comes from the Fields museum in Chicago. Some of the objects on view were not exhibited from 1893 when the World’s Columbian Exposition took place in Chicago.
Current exhibition goes into history, techniques and practices of mummifications with many interactive tables to learn and explore. Even a CT scanner is prominently on view as its a staple of modern exploration of the artifacts. The New York Times review explores various method used by archeologists to glean inside and reconstruct the objects and how they lived.
Find out more about the exhibition here.
John Lindberg book Ancient Egypt and National Geographic documentary Inca Mummies:Secrets of the Lost World are absolutely fascinating journeys into the history, traditions and art of these rich cultures.
Enjoy your free visit to American Museum of Natural History with your NewYorkPass!
Venue: American Museum of Natural History, NY
Dates: March 20, 2017 – January 7, 2018