Collection
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Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

Ibis Mummy

740–380 B.C.E.

Brooklyn Museum photograph

Object Label

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.

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. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Gallery

Not on view

Title

Ibis Mummy

Date

740–380 B.C.E.

Dynasty

Dynasty 22 to Dynasty 27

Period

Third Intermediate Period to Late Period

Geography

Place made: Egypt

Medium

Animal remains (female sacred ibis, Threskiornis aethiopicus), linen

Classification

Remains, Animal

Dimensions

16 × 5 3/4 × 4 3/4 in. (40.6 × 14.6 × 12.1 cm)

Credit Line

Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

Accession Number

37.1382E

Frequent Art Questions

  • The animal mummies are so fascinating! I was surprised to learn that the more elaborate the mummy's wrappings are, the less likely it is that there is a complete animal inside.

    Oh wow, that is interesting. Like this for example?
    This mummy contains a complete ibis. You can compare it to the extremely elaborate (and beautiful!) ibis mummy in the last room which has a resin mask and headdress, but only contains feathers!
    It appears that there may have been some corrupt priests working in the temples that sold these mummies to the public.
    Wow how rude! Corruption.

  • What is the ibis mummy

    Hi! An ibis is a type of water bird with a long, curved beak. The ancient Egyptians associated them with Thoth, the god of wisdom and writing.
    There were certain temples where the priests bred the birds specifically to be mummified and sold to the public for making donations to the god.
    Thank you!!

  • What did the ibis symbolize something that made them so popular?

    Their long beak resembled the reed pens used by scribes, which is how they came to be associated with the god Thoth.

  • Tell me more.

    This is a typical example of a votive mummy. The ancient Egyptians believed that animals has spirits that could carry messages to the gods. The ibis was associated with Thoth, the god of wisdom.
    Thank You

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