A 2,500-year-old woman is visiting Winnipeg and she has a story to share.
WRAPPED: The Mummy of Pesed is the Manitoba Museum’s latest exhibit featuring, on display for the first time in 45 years, a real mummy.
Called, “The Shining One,” Pesed in her coffin, along with artifacts and CT scans, give visitors a glimpse into Egyptian life, thousands of years ago.
Her face mask gilded in gold and her body wrapped in resin and linen are all signs of her high status.
According to Elias, scientists believe Pesed lived and died in Egypt in 300 B.C. Her father was likely a temple priest. She was probably around 65-years-old when she died. She may have had osteoporosis and bad teeth.
She also had strong legs.
“It tells more about her than any other feature,” said exhibit curator, Dr. Jonathan Elias.
On loan from Westminster College, Pennsylvania, Manitoban researchers helped scientists to learn more about who Pesed was.
Forensic facial reconstructions showing what she may have looked like at her death were created in Manitoba.
“The skull that was developed at U of M was an early version of the 3D printing process,” said Elias. Her face was created based on that skull and includes details such as wrinkles.
Thousands of years after her mummification, Pesed was bought from the Egyptian government by two Westminster College missionaries for $5.00.
Beyond the story of Pesed, the exhibit also explores the Western fascination with mummies over the past 400 years, said exhibit curators.
“Ancient Egypt is absolutely fascinating,” said Anya Moodie-Foster, museum program developer. “It’s something that’s studied in Manitoba schools and so it’s really an unprecedented opportunity for me and also for the students that come to the museum.”
Students will also have the opportunity to practice mummification themselves – on a carrot.
The WRAPPED exhibit is on display from Oct. 25 and runs until April. For more information, visit the Manitoba Museum website.
