MUMMY IDENTIFICATION

KEYS TO MUMMY IDENTIFICATION


Old Kingdom (Mummies of Royals. Very rare; never usually seen outside of Egypt or the oldest European Collections).

Plastered-Shaped Mummy

Plain Wooden Coffins, Box-Shaped.

When used, stone or pottery Canopic jars were plain.


Middle Kingdom (Mummies of Royals and Nobles).

Plaster Masks (called Cartonnage), generally of simple design, but usually of high quality and beauty.

Wooden Coffins, Box-Shaped.

Coffins have elaborate hieroglyphics, and eyes on the side of the box.

Mummy buried on its side.

Stone or pottery Canopic jars were plain or had human heads.

New Kingdom – Late Kingdom (Mummies of Royals, Nobles, and Wealthy).

Plaster Masks (called Cartonnage), of more complex design (e.g., feathered headdresses). These tend to be more colorful and garish then Middle Kingdom.

The Royal Mummies would have gold or silver masks (e.g., the famous one of King Tutankhamen).

Arthropoid Coffins, Human-Shaped.

Coffins have elaborate hieroglyphics.

Richer burials utilize box-shaped wood or stone sarcophagus, which can be highly decorated (either with paintings or reliefs)

Canopic jars were generally had human heads or those of the Four Sons of Horus.

Papyrus “Book of the Dead” are buried with the mummy.

Ptolemaic-Graeco-Roman (Mummies of all who can afford the price).

Plaster Masks (called Cartonnage), were used/ However, there was a wide variety of types, and many were highly influenced by Greek art (which focused on producing more realistic results). Plaster or gold-foil masks with very Greek characteristics are noted.

Some of the wealthier mummies (especially in later history) have encaustic mummy portraits instead of masks. These portraits are as close to a snap-shot of what the actual individual looked like as could be achieved during this period of history.

The quality of preservation techniques deteriorated. However, the bandaging became quite elaborate to make up for it. Therefore, a mummy with diamond-shaped patterns of bandages will always be from this period.

Canopic jars may or may not be associated with a burial.

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