An incredible exhibition is making its first-time appearance in the United States in the city of Mobile, Alabama. I highly recommend seeing this exciting traveling exhibit, “Egyptian Mummies and Eternal Life.” This exhibit from Italy has been all over the world and is about Ancient Egypt and their funerary rituals. It includes over 100 artifacts from 2,000 to 4,000 years ago. There are no reproductions. Did I mention it includes actual mummies? This exhibition will be on view at The History Museum of Mobile from February 25 thru June 27, 2021.
The exhibit will guide visitors through several shadowy rooms containing funeral trousseaus, sarcophagi, and votive objects. Visitors will also learn about the Egyptian culture, afterlife, and the mummification process. I want to warn the guests with weak constitutions that there is also a decapitated unwrapped mummy head and hand that are well preserved. I could not bring myself to take a photo of those ghastly objects. The decorated artwork on these funeral pieces is extraordinary. I can not believe how well preserved these antiquities remain today.
One of the things I learned was the person’s journey in the afterlife. Not only were they entombed with all the necessities such as food and personal items, but they were provided with a Book of the Dead containing magical spells to help them traverse the underworld. These spells helped a person overcome various obstacles such as monsters and gave one protection from dangerous forces on the way through the Duat (the Egyptian spirit realm) to the place where they would be judged to live among the gods. A page from the Book of the Dead is on display. Another interesting artifact was a long sleeve tunic with the underarm section cut out for ventilation. That was a clever design to keep one cool and protected from the Egyptian heat. Ahh…a Southern fashion opportunity given our hot and humid climate😊. Come and explore while you go back in time to the mysterious land of Ancient Egypt. It is well worth the $10 price of admission.
The History Museum of Mobile is open from 9 to 5 Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 on Sunday. The museum is free to the public on the first Sunday of every month. Due to the pandemic and high attendance on the free Sundays, visitors need to reserve a time slot to view the exhibition. The museum is located at 111 South Royal Street in downtown Mobile. This exhibition was organized by Contemporanae Progetti in Florence, Italy in collaboration with the National Archeological Museum of Florence.
For additional information or to reserve a spot for Free Sundays, please go to www.historymuseumofmobile.com
Another good blog again, Gwen.
Great story. I will definitely try to catch this while it’s here in Mobile!
Eric.
Thank you. It is a fascinating exhibit.