Conservation for Kids

In the Tomb of the Pharaohs

"The Mummy"

Artlab has carried out a number of treatments on Egyptian artefacts, in particular in conjunction with the South Australian Museum. According to Kristen Phillips, our Senior Textiles Conservator, none quite as "spooky" as "the mummies..."

Due to renovations at the museum, the mummies were sent to a local funeral home. Kristin recalls visiting the mummies one day and having the eerie feeling that she wasn't alone. During the night a human corpse had been placed in the morgue as well!

High technology at an Adelaide hospital was used to attempt to unravel the secrets of the two ancient mummies. X-rays and CT scans were taken of a 2000 year old male Nubian mummy and a female Renpit-Nefert, "slightly" older by 500 years!

Like a scene from "CSI", the team at St. Andrew's hospital, assisted by Kristin, was able to use non-invasive MRI technology to study the mummies without unwrapping them.

Renpit and her companion have been in the South Australian Museum's possession for around 100 years and only now were able to pass on information about how they lived and died!

The University of Adelaide Medical School was very interested in the presence of any bacteria or viruses which may help to understand the evolution of diseases.

Initial test results show that the Nubian male was about 167cm tall and that Renpit was around 5cm shorter and had borne up to five children!

For more information on the mummies, go to: www.samuseum.sa.gov.au

Please note: Watch this site for information on Summer Holiday programs or contact Artlab Australia on 8207 7520 or email artlab@saugov.sa.gov.au.