Collection
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Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

Ibis-Form Snake Mummies

Egyptian

1 of 2

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

Egyptian. Ibis-Form Snake Mummies, 380–160 B.C.E.. Animal remains (Egyptian house snake, Psammophis sp.), linen, 4 1/2 × 2 1/2 × 12 5/8 in. (11.4 × 6.4 × 32.1 cm) mount (display dims on support board): 5 × 8 × 17 in. (12.7 × 20.3 × 43.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Museum Collection, X1183.2. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Gallery

Not on view

Culture

Egyptian

Title

Ibis-Form Snake Mummies

Date

380–160 B.C.E.

Dynasty

Dynasty 27, or later

Period

Late Period to Ptolemaic Period

Geography

Place made: Egypt

Medium

Animal remains (Egyptian house snake, Psammophis sp.), linen

Classification

Remains, Animal

Dimensions

4 1/2 × 2 1/2 × 12 5/8 in. (11.4 × 6.4 × 32.1 cm) mount (display dims on support board): 5 × 8 × 17 in. (12.7 × 20.3 × 43.2 cm)

Credit Line

Brooklyn Museum Collection

Accession Number

X1183.2

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Artists and makers

Egyptian

178 works in the collection