Special thanks to Dr Campbell Price and North Carolina Museum of Art for sharing my critical review of Golden Mummies of Egypt
Graduation
I am extremely happy to announce that I have graduated from the University of Manchester. I have been awarded the degree BA (Hons) Ancient History and Archaeology. Besides this, I have also been awarded the prestigious Stellify Award.
My placement at the Museum of Medicine and Health (The University of Manchester)
A brief summary
This blog post represents my views and not those of the Museum. Due to COVID and remote learning this placement was conducted online.
My work during my placement at the Museum of Medicine and Health of The University of Manchester has been part of a broader review of the collection, which the Museum is undertaking in response to current debates around the idea of 'decolonising' collections.
The institutions of The University of Manchester have been engaging with repatriation since 2003. The Manchester Museum has repatriated several sacred and ceremonial objects to Australian aboriginals and research has been done by the John Rylands collections in order to give a voice to racial minorities (see The University of Manchester. Manchester Museum, 2021) (see The University of Manchester Rylands Blog, 2021). This project has been realised by Alba Carrasco Beldad, a graduate in Ancient History and Archaeology from The University of Manchester. During this placement I have been working with The Museum of Medicine and Health.
In this placement the head models of different ethnicities which are part of the collection of The Museum of Medicine and Health have been researched. The photograph copyright remains with University of Manchester therefore I am unable to share the images. This research has a focus on these objects. These seven Ethnographic teaching models were given to the museum by the Anatomy department of The University of Manchester in 2010. These head models are originally from Germany. In German, ethnographic mannequins were used for exotic shows named Völkerschauen during the late 19th century and early 20th century (see Weber (2018) pp.298-332).
Bibliography used during the research
Australian Dictionary of Bibliography (2021). Jones, Frederic Wood (1879-1954). Available at: https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/jones-frederic-wood-6872 (Accessed 19-6-2021).
BBC (202O). The medical school trying to become anti-resist, 17 August, p. 1.
Evans, A.D. (2008). Race Made Visible: The Transformation of Museum Exhibits in Early-Twentieth-Century German Anthropology. German studies review, 31(1), pp.87-108.
The University of Manchester. Manchester Museum (2021). Manchester Museum Returns Ceremonial and Secret Sacred Material Back to Traditional Custodians. Available at: https://www.museum.manchester.ac.uk/about/repatriation/ (Accessed: 02/06/2021).
The University of Manchester. Rylands Blog (2021). Diversifying special collections: reflect on our decolonisation research projects so far (part 1). Available at: https://rylandscollections.com/2021/05/10/diversifying-special-collections-reflecting-on-our-decolonisation-research-project-so-far-part-1/ (Accessed: 02/06/2021).
The University of Manchester. Rylands Blog (2021). Diversifying special collections: reflect on our decolonisation research projects so far (part 2). Available at: https://rylandscollections.com/2021/05/12/diversifying-special-collections-reflecting-on-our-decolonisation-research-project-so-far-part-2/ (Accessed: 02/06/2021).
Weber, A.D. (2018). Vivifying the Uncanny: Ethnographic Mannequins and Exotic Performers in Nineteenth-century German Exhibition Culture. In Fact and Fiction. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, pp. 298-332.
Wikipedia (2021). Grafton Elliot Smith. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grafton_Elliot_Smith (Accessed 19-6-2021).
Golden Mummies of Egypt
A critical review by Alba Carrasco Beldad
Golden Mummies of Egypt is a touring exhibition organised by the Manchester Museum and Nomad Exhibitions. It presents 8 mummies from the Greco-Roman period of Egypt (c. 300 BC-200 AD) found in Hawara, among other over 100 items connected to the Egyptian belief of the afterlife, like masks and jewellery. All of these proceeding from the Manchester Collections (see North Carolina Museum of Art (2021)). This exhibition will have an US tour during 2020 and 2021 (see Tetisheri (2020)). It will be a temporary exhibition in diverse museums such as the North Carolina Museum of Art or the Buffalo Museum of Science.
The ethics of displaying human remains is presented in this exhibition. Even if they were once living human beings, the general public sees mummies as "mysteries" instead of people. This process de-humanises mummies which are transformed into an attraction. In fact, the name of the exhibition "Golden Mummies" is a clear reference for this and is also an example of public views on mummies. The "flashy" title it is indeed a way to attract visitors due to the fascination with mummies, but it is important to challenge this idea of heritage being golden treasures. Quoting Manchester Museum´s curator Campbell Price, the exhibition and its book are "a serious attempt to unpack Manchester Museum´s considerable entanglement with mummies" (see Price, 2020). In fact, one of the mummies exhibited, the mummy No. 20638 Isaious, daughter of Demetrios (1st century CE), was part of a pioneering research project conducted by the previous curator of the Manchester Museum, Rosalie David. Isaious is an example of Manchester Museum´s long history of researching Egyptian mummies and she is in fact the promotional picture for the touring exhibition, as seen in the figure 01 (see David (1979) 1-137).
Figure 01. The mummy of Isaious as a promotional image (Source: Egypt at the Manchester Museum, 2020).
However, there is a contrast between the previous approach of Rosalie David to mummies at Manchester, which included their forensic examination, autopsy and dissection, to the one found in Golden Mummies. The Golden Mummies exhibition is more of an attempt to explore belief than "health" or the mummification practices. This exhibition also takes a new approach which takes a post-colonial or critical perspective on previous approaches.
One of the main issues of exhibiting mummies to the public is how they are presented, if they are unwrapped or not. This issue has been previously addressed by the Manchester Museum which decided to cover several mummies for a more respectful treatment (see Egypt at the Manchester Museum (2008)). The 8 mummies of the exhibition were presented inside their respective sarcophagus, however thanks to the use of interactive CT-scans the public had the chance to see the digital unwrapping of these mummies, as seen on the figure 02. The story of these mummies was presented in this exhibition with translations of ancient texts which allow and insight of how their lives were and humanises them (see Nomad Exhibitions (2020)). This exhibition did a great job by giving a proper and respectful treatment of these mummies, which were presented as human remains rather than "mysterious objects".
Figure 02. Exhibition Golden Mummies of Egypt (Source: Teo. Exhibitions, 2021).
Even if mummies are the most outstanding part of the exhibition other over 100 items were also presented. This exhibit presents a critical assessment of these materials which proceed from Petrie´s excavation, dated back to 1888-90 and 1911 at Hawara, Egypt (see Price (2020) pp. 10-14). These objects from Graeco-Roman Egypt, which belonged to the elite, are examined and so are their significance to their original owners and how they shaped identity formation (see Egypt at the Manchester Museum (2008)). An example of this are Egyptian Pharaonic funerary face-coverings and Graeco-Roman influenced panel paintings. Even if both had the same function, of afterlife, Egyptian face-coverings are traditionally called "masks" meanwhile Graeco-Roman paintings are called "portraits". This is indeed a modern-day perception, nevertheless it can be questioned if these objects, which served the same purpose of the eternal life of the deceased, were also seen as different in Graeco-Roman Egypt.
In conclusion, Golden Mummies of Egypt is a touring and temporary exhibition which deals with issues such as the ethical treatment of mummies, their presentation to the public and their humanisation. This exhibition also examines the importance of several other objects, like mummy portraits, that belonged to the elite and how they shaped identity.
Special thanks to Dr Campbell Price, curator of Egypt and Sudan, Manchester Museum.
Bibliography
David, A. R. (ed.) (1979). The Manchester Museum Mummy Project. Multidisciplinary Research on Ancient Egyptian Mummified Remains. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
Egypt at the Manchester Museum (2008). Covering the mummies. Available at:
https://egyptmanchester.wordpress.com/2008/05/06/covering-the-mummies/ (Accessed: 6-01-2021).
Egypt at the Manchester Museum (2020). 'Golden Mummies of Egypt' - Manchester Museum´s First International Touring Exhibition. Available at:
https://egyptmanchester.wordpress.com/2019/10/30/golden-mummies-of-egypt-manchester-museums-first-international-touring-exhibition/ (Accessed: 6-01-2021).
Nomad Exhibitions (2020). Golden Mummies of Egypt. Available at:
https://www.nomadexhibitions.com/golden-mummies-of-egypt (Accessed: 6-01-2021).
North Carolina Museum of Art (2021). Golden Mummies of Egypt. Available at:
https://ncartmuseum.org/exhibitions/view/52345 (Accessed: 6-01-2021).
Price, C (2020). [Twitter] 20 November. Available at:
https://twitter.com/EgyptMcr/status/1329714878328807427 (Accessed: 6-01-2021).
Price, C. (2020). Golden Mummies of Egypt. Interpreting Identities from the Graeco-Roman Period. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
Teo Exhibitions (2021). Golden Mummies of Egypt. Available at: https://www.teo-exhibitions.com/touring-exhibitions/exhibition/golden-mummies-of-egypt/ (Accessed: 6-01-2021).
Tetisheri (2020). Golden Mummies of Egypt Exhibition. Available at: https://tetisheri.co.uk/photographic-projects/golden-mummies-of-egypt-exhibition/ (Accessed: 6-01-2021).
Las Momias Doradas de Egipto
Crítica de Alba Carrasco Beldad
Golden Mummies of Egypt es una exposición itinerante organizada por el Museo de Manchester y Nomad Exhibitions. Presenta 8 momias del período grecorromano de Egipto (c. 300 a. C.-200 d. C.) encontradas en Hawara y otros más de 100 artículos relacionados con la creencia egipcia del más allá, como máscaras y joyas. Todos estos proceden de las colecciones de Manchester (North Carolina Museum of Art (2021)). Esta exposición tendrá una gira por Estados Unidos durante 2020 y 2021 (Tetisheri (2020)). Será una exposición temporal en diversos museos como el Museo de Arte de Carolina del Norte o el Museo de Ciencias de Buffalo.
La ética de la exhibición de restos humanos se presenta en esta exposición. Incluso si alguna vez fueron seres humanos vivos, el público en general ve a las momias como seres "misterios" en lugar de personas. Este proceso deshumaniza a las momias que se convierten en atracciones fantásticas. De hecho, el nombre de la exposición "Las Momias Doradas" es una clara referencia a esto y también es un ejemplo de la opinión pública sobre las momias. El llamativo título es de hecho una forma de atraer visitantes debido a la fascinación por las momias, pero es importante desafiar la idea de que el patrimonio es un tesoro hecho oro. Citando al conservador del Manchester Museum, Campbell Price, la exposición y su libro son "un serio intento de desentrañar el papel del Manchester Museum en la historia de las momias" (Price, 2020). De hecho, una de las momias expuestas, la momia No. 20638 Isaious, hija de Demetrios (siglo I d.C.), fue parte de un proyecto de investigación pionero realizado por la anterior conservadora del Museo de Mánchester, Rosalie David. Isaious es un ejemplo de la larga trayectoria del Museo de Mánchester en la investigación de las momias egipcias y esta es de hecho la imagen promocional de la exposición itinerante, como se ve en la imagen 01 (David (1979) 1-137).
Imagen 01. La momia de Isaious como imagen promocional (Fuente: Egypt at the Manchester Museum, 2020).
Sin embargo, existe una gran diferencia entre el anterior proyecto de Rosalie David sobre las momias en Manchester, el cual incluía su examen forense y autopsia, en contraste con el de Golden Mummies. La exposición Las Momias Doradas de Egipto es más bien un intento de explorar las creencias que la "salud" o las prácticas de momificación. Esta exposición también adopta un nuevo enfoque que adopta una perspectiva poscolonial y crítica sobre enfoques anteriores.
Uno de los principales problemas de exhibir momias es cómo se presentan, si están desenvueltas o no. Este tema ha sido abordado previamente por el Museo de Manchester que decidió cubrir varias momias para un tratamiento más respetuoso (Egypt at the Manchester Museum (2008)). Las 8 momias de la exposición fueron presentadas dentro de sus respectivos sarcófagos, sin embargo, gracias al uso de tomografías computarizadas el público tuvo la oportunidad de ver el desenvolvimiento digital de estas momias, como se ve en la imagen 02. La historia de estas momias fue presentada en esta exposición con traducciones de textos antiguos que permiten conocer cómo eran sus vidas y las humanizan (Nomad Exhibitions (2020)). Esta exposición hizo un gran trabajo al brindar un trato adecuado y respetuoso a estas momias, que fueron presentadas como restos humanos en lugar de "objetos misteriosos". Si bien las momias son la parte más destacada de la exposición, también se presentaron más de 100 artículos.
Imagen 02. Exposición Las Momias Doradas de Egipto (Source: Teo. Exhibitions, 2021).
Esta exhibición presenta una evaluación crítica de estos materiales que proceden de la excavación de Petrie, que data de 1888-90 y 1911 en Hawara, Egipto (Price (2020) pp. 10-14). Estos objetos del Egipto grecorromano, que pertenecían a la élite son examinados en la exposición y también es examinada su importancia para sus propietarios originales y cómo dieron forma a la formación de la identidad (Egypt at the Manchester Museum (2008)). Un ejemplo de esto son las máscaras faraónicas egipcias y las pinturas sobre tablas de influencia grecorromana. Incluso si ambas tenían la misma función para la vida después de la muerte, las máscaras egipcias se denominan tradicionalmente "máscaras", mientras que las pinturas grecorromanas se denominan "retratos". Esta es de hecho una percepción moderna, sin embargo, se puede cuestionar si estos objetos, que sirvieron al mismo propósito de la vida eterna del difunto, también fueron vistos como diferentes en el Egipto grecorromano.
En conclusión, Las Momias Doradas de Egipto es una exposición itinerante y temporal que aborda temas como el trato ético de las momias, su presentación al público y su humanización. Esta exposición también examina la importancia de varios objetos, como los retratos y máscaras de las momias, que pertenecieron a la élite y cómo dieron forma a la identidad.
Un agradecimiento especial al Dr Campbell Price, conservador de Egipto y Sudán, Museo de Mánchester.
Bibliografía
David, A. R. (ed.) (1979). The Manchester Museum Mummy Project. Multidisciplinary Research on Ancient Egyptian Mummified Remains. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
Egypt at the Manchester Museum (2008). Covering the mummies. Disponible en:
https://egyptmanchester.wordpress.com/2008/05/06/covering-the-mummies/ (Fecha en la que se accedió a la web: 6-01-2021).
Egypt at the Manchester Museum (2020). 'Golden Mummies of Egypt' - Manchester Museum´s First International Touring Exhibition. Dispobible en:
https://egyptmanchester.wordpress.com/2019/10/30/golden-mummies-of-egypt-manchester-museums-first-international-touring-exhibition/ (Fecha en la que se accedió a la web: 6-01-2021).
Nomad Exhibitions (2020). Golden Mummies of Egypt. Dispible en:
https://www.nomadexhibitions.com/golden-mummies-of-egypt (Fecha en la que se accedió a la web : 6-01-2021).
North Carolina Museum of Art (2021). Golden Mummies of Egypt. Disponible en:
https://ncartmuseum.org/exhibitions/view/52345 (Fecha en la que se accedió a la web : 6-01-2021).
Price, C (2020). [Twitter] 20 November. Disponible en:
https://twitter.com/EgyptMcr/status/1329714878328807427 (Fecha en la que se accedió a la web: 6-01-2021).
Price, C. (2020). Golden Mummies of Egypt. Interpreting Identities from the Graeco-Roman Period. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
Teo Exhibitions (2021). Golden Mummies of Egypt. Dispobible en: https://www.teo-exhibitions.com/touring-exhibitions/exhibition/golden-mummies-of-egypt/ (Fecha en la que se accedió a la web: 6-01-2021).
Tetisheri (2020). Golden Mummies of Egypt Exhibition. Disponibel en: https://tetisheri.co.uk/photographic-projects/golden-mummies-of-egypt-exhibition/ (Fecha en la que se accedió a la web: 6-01-2021).