Mummies

March 20, 2017 — January 7, 2018

Painted sarcophagus
The Field

Mummies

For thousands of years, peoples around the world practiced mummification as a way of preserving and honoring their dead.

Mummies brings you face to face with some of these ancient individuals and reveals how scientists are using modern technology to glean stunning details about them and their cultures.

[MUSIC]

AUDIO DESCRIBER: An Egyptian sarcophogus appears. Text reads “Every mummy tells a story. Just look closely”.

Close-up images of an ornate sarcophagus decorated with Egyptian imagery flash by.

Text appears: “Technology reveals ancient mysteries”

A mummy is x-rayed and reconstructed.

Text appears: “From Egypt and Peru”

Peruvian burial artifacts flash by: a mask, a figurine, and three different jars.

The camera pans from the feet of an Egyptian sarcophagus all the way to the head.

Text appears: “See them like never before. Mummies. March 20^th, 2017 through January 7^th, 2018.”

Mummies was developed by The Field Museum, Chicago.

The Museum gratefully acknowledges the Richard and Karen LeFrak Exhibition and Education Fund.

Mummies is proudly sponsored by Chase Private Client.

Credits roll.

Discover when, how, and why ancient Egyptians and Peruvians were mummified and find out who they were in life. This show features an up-close look at rarely-exhibited mummies as well as interactive touch tables, rare artifacts, and cutting-edge imaging.

Mummies in Peru

Mummies in Egypt

Mummies Revealed

Resources For Educators: Mummies

Mummies is co-curated by David Hurst Thomas, curator of North American Archaeology in the Division of Anthropology and John J. Flynn, Frick Curator of Fossil Mammals in the Division of Paleontology.

Mummies was developed by The Field Museum, Chicago.

The Museum gratefully acknowledges the Richard and Karen LeFrak Exhibition and Education Fund.

Mummies is proudly supported by