Sunday, December 25, 2005

MUMMIES DEAREST. Gross, yet fascinating. That's "The Mysterious Bog People," an exhibit of rituals, sacrifice and desiccated flesh at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh. T hrough Jan. 22 , you can make like a crime tech at the BSI: Bog Science Investigation area, an ersatz forensic science lab, and get close to seven actual ancient humans preserved in anaerobic bogs (including "Yde Girl," a 2,000-year-old Dutch bog mummy). Ceremonial wind instruments, necklaces, hair ornaments and one of the oldest wheels in Europe are also on display, as is a photography exhibit of modern-day bogs and moors.

Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m. $15 (includes same-day admission to the Carnegie Museum of Art). About 4 1/2 hours from the Beltway at 4400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh. 412-622-3131,http://www.carnegiemnh.org.

-- Anne McDonough