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Raptor mummy

A raptor mummy with stylised animal head and mummiform body. The mummy is lying on its dorsal side, with details of the head modelled in linen. There is some degree of anthropomorphizing as the end is almost made to resemble human feet or the foot of a coffin, all of which are also evocative of the form of Osiris. The face and beak were covered with a piece of fabric, to which the eyes were appliquéd. The mummy was wrapped in several pieces of cloth and bandages that were secured by threads. the ventral side was then covered with two textiles. The bird is neatly edged on the ventral side by two pieces of fabric. The dorsal side is less tidy, and was not meant to be seen, unless it is missing a final bandage.
CT scans show that the package contains the complete skeleton of an adult raptor. The animal is in the standard position with the wings along the body and the legs crossed and flexed at the knee. It was probably eviscerated.

Provv. 1450
Organic animal+plant fiber / Linen
7 cm x 28.6 cm
Date unknown
Unknown
Unknown, 1824–1923
Museum / Floor 1 / Room 11 RET / Cabinet 49 Mummies / Shelf 04
Museo Egizio