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Unwrapping the meanings behind the mummies

Technology such at CAT scans helps scientists at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History learn more about the Egyptian practice and attempt facial reconstructions.

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Nov. 10, 2011

The museum has two rare bull mummies, and this one had been in storage. The linen-wrapped remains of this bull date to between 300 B.C. and A.D. 400. The bull was a sacred animal to the temple priests because they considered the animal to be the living representative of the sun god, museum scientists say. He was preserved after death to guarantee eternal life.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Fancier new displays have replaced the rather musty cases in what was an outdated exhibit hall. At left is the inner coffin of Tentkhonsu, dating from between 1025 and 980 B.C. Tentkhonsu was among noble women who sang praises to the gods. Her coffin is richly decorated with panels telling the story of her journey through the underworld to her judgment and resurrection, museum officials say.

Nov. 10, 2011

Fancier new displays have replaced the rather musty cases in what was an outdated exhibit hall. At left is the inner coffin of Tentkhonsu, dating from between 1025 and 980 B.C. Tentkhonsu was among noble women who sang praises to the gods. Her coffin is richly decorated with panels telling the story of her journey through the underworld to her judgment and resurrection, museum officials say.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

To learn more about this mummified cat, from between 332 and 30 B.C., scientists took an X-ray image, shown in the background.

Nov. 10, 2011

To learn more about this mummified cat, from between 332 and 30 B.C., scientists took an X-ray image, shown in the background.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Based on his tooth eruption and long bone growth, this young male's age was put at about 3 1/2 years. The simple shroud and lack of elaborate wrapping indicate that he was a commoner. Based on skull features, he was likely to have had Mediterranean and African ancestry. To see what his face may have looked like, see the next photo.

Nov. 10, 2011

Based on his tooth eruption and long bone growth, this young male's age was put at about 3 1/2 years. The simple shroud and lack of elaborate wrapping indicate that he was a commoner. Based on skull features, he was likely to have had Mediterranean and African ancestry. To see what his face may have looked like, see the next photo.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

A facial reconstruction, through the use of CAT scans and other new technology, of the young male.

Nov. 10, 2011

A facial reconstruction, through the use of CAT scans and other new technology, of the young male.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Studies indicate that this mummy was a male about 40 years old and most likely dating to about 500 B.C. The wrappings signify that he was an individual of some means but not a royal personage. 'Eternal Life in Ancient Egypt' now shows four human mummies, double the previous number.

Nov. 11, 2011

Studies indicate that this mummy was a male about 40 years old and most likely dating to about 500 B.C. The wrappings signify that he was an individual of some means but not a royal personage. "Eternal Life in Ancient Egypt" now shows four human mummies, double the previous number.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

A mummified group of crocodiles, among the animals that Egyptians used as offerings to the gods.

Nov. 10, 2011

A mummified group of crocodiles, among the animals that Egyptians used as offerings to the gods.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

These funerary cones were carved with the names of the deceased. Mourners were encouraged to say the names so the deceased would be remembered through eternity.

Nov. 10, 2011

These funerary cones were carved with the names of the deceased. Mourners were encouraged to say the names so the deceased would be remembered through eternity.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

An Egyptian mummy and coffin from between 150 B.C. and A.D. 50. One of the researchers' discoveries in the exhibit: the lower half of a shrew-like animal in the stomach of a mummified snake. They also learned that a human mummy everyone believed was that of a female was actually a male.

Nov. 10, 2011

An Egyptian mummy and coffin from between 150 B.C. and A.D. 50. One of the researchers' discoveries in the exhibit: the lower half of a shrew-like animal in the stomach of a mummified snake. They also learned that a human mummy everyone believed was that of a female was actually a male.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

A mummified cat, left, the mummified head of a cat and a mummy with no remains, all from between 332 and 30 B.C.

Nov. 11, 2011

A mummified cat, left, the mummified head of a cat and a mummy with no remains, all from between 332 and 30 B.C.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Crocodiles were associated with Sobek-ra, the crocodile-headed god.

Nov. 10, 2011

Crocodiles were associated with Sobek-ra, the crocodile-headed god.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

An Egyptian mummy from between 200 B.C. and A.D. 150. The museum's display includes 11 new cases that help explain what its scientists have learned about the Egyptians' burial practices. The redesign cost $154,000 and took one and a half years. 'Ancient Egyptians were obsessed with life and spent their lives preparing for life ever after,' says Melinda Zeder, an archaeologist and lead exhibit curator of the section's makeover.

Nov. 11, 2011

An Egyptian mummy from between 200 B.C. and A.D. 150. The museum's display includes 11 new cases that help explain what its scientists have learned about the Egyptians' burial practices. The redesign cost $154,000 and took one and a half years. "Ancient Egyptians were obsessed with life and spent their lives preparing for life ever after," says Melinda Zeder, an archaeologist and lead exhibit curator of the section's makeover.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

A coffin fragment.

Nov. 10, 2011

A coffin fragment.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

A bronze, wood and gold leaf ibis dating to between 320 and 30 B.C. Egyptians considered the ibis to be sacred.

Nov. 10, 2011

A bronze, wood and gold leaf ibis dating to between 320 and 30 B.C. Egyptians considered the ibis to be sacred.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Also among the mummified: this falcon, found in a coffin.

Nov. 10, 2011

Also among the mummified: this falcon, found in a coffin.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

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