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Ibis Mummy

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

These four animal mummies are in ibis-related shapes but different wrapping styles. The CT scans and X-rays shown here reveal that two of these mummies are indeed ibises, as expected, but that of the two others, one contains snakes and the other contains shrews.

Scientific examination has revolutionized scholars’ understanding of the most basic data available in analyzing animal mummies.
MEDIUM Animal remains (female sacred ibis, Threskiornis aethiopicus), linen
  • Place Made: Egypt
  • DATES 740–380 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY Dynasty 22 to Dynasty 27
    PERIOD Third Intermediate Period to Late Period
    DIMENSIONS 16 × 5 3/4 × 4 3/4 in. (40.6 × 14.6 × 12.1 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 37.1382E
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Mummified female sacred ibis, relatively elaborately wrapped.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Ibis Mummy, 740–380 B.C.E. Animal remains (female sacred ibis, Threskiornis aethiopicus), linen, 16 × 5 3/4 × 4 3/4 in. (40.6 × 14.6 × 12.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.1382E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.1382E_PS9.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 37.1382E_PS9.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2015
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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