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Mummy! |
This is one of a number of fascinating Egyptian exhibits which can be seen at Haslemere Museum. These also include The Mummy With Toes.
In 1912 Haslemere Museum was presented with one of its most popular exhibits today. Pa-Er-Abu, affectionately known as the museum's 'oldest inhabitant' was donated by the Church of England Sunday School Institute in a glazed case. The mummy dates from the Ptolemaic period of about 300 BC and is of particular interest because the linen wrappings have fallen away from its feet to reveal a set of rather brown and crusty-looking toes!
In 1960 the mummy was X-rayed on television as part of a publicity campaign for a firm of medical equipment suppliers who had just bought a portable X-ray machine. One Friday evening in June, Pa-Er-Abu was seen in all his glory in a five minute slot on the Tonight programme, presented by Alan Whicker.
However, the filming of this slot did not run according to plan when the senior camera-man fell ill and had to be taken to hospital. Questions were raised as to whether this was the curse of the Pharaohs. Others suggested it was evidence of a well-known superstition that exhuming the dead in order to discover the secrets of their lives can only result in bad fortune for those involved.
There was great hope that the X-ray pictures would show the mummy wearing amulets and other jewellery typical of the period. This would not have been unusual as it was Egyptian belief that the dead were setting out on a long journey and therefore needed to be suitably furnished. Unfortunately nothing was found. Despite this disappointment, useful information was gleaned from the X-ray. Examination of the skeleton revealed that the mummy was male, no older than 26 and showed no signs of organic diseases. The possible cause of death was also brought to light. Injured ribs, a crushed thumb and damage to his teeth which suggests a broken jaw indicate that he met with a rather violent and untimely end. Whilst no definite conclusions can be drawn about the circumstances surrounding his death, there is reasoned speculation that Pa-Er-Abu was a priest killed defending his Temple.
Today Pa-Er-Abu has the exciting opportunity of contributing to the development of medical research. New technologies now enable the detection of certain diseases in small samples of tissue. This would aid scientific research on diseases and DNA studies. As part of this project, tissues from Egyptian mummies in museums world-wide (outside Egypt) would be collected and examined for their evidence. As a result, Manchester University, who are the co-ordinators of this project have requested a tissue sample from our very own Pa-Er-Abu who may yield valuable information.
See these and many other exciting exhibits at Haslemere Educational Museum.
Gardens/grounds; interactive displays; gift shop with access for visitors in wheelchairs; toilets; parking for disabled visitors; special events; holiday activities for children; evening events/lectures.
Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm. Closed on Bank Holidays. Guided tours, school parties and coach parties welcome (please book in advance). Adults £1.00, concessions £1.00, children 50p.
Road: High Street, Haslemere GU27 2LA. 2 minutes from town centre car park. Bus: Within 15 minutes walk. Train: Haslemere Station, within 15 minutes walk.
Telephone: 01428 642112.
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Copyright © Stuart Holm. |
Page last updated 16th June1999 |
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