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Ibis mummy

An ibis mummy wrapped to show the animal lying on its back with the beak resting on its ventral side and the legs drawn up to the body as if it were seated. The body is decorated in a herringbone pattern with insets. Beneath the herringbones is the usual system of several bandages kept in place by thread, and maybe a covering over the base, now missing, which was kept in place by resin. Vestiges of dark bandages covering the head and beak survive. Some of the bandages in the head area have worn away, exposing feathers somewhat discoloured by natron salts and oils. CT scans show a complete skeleton of an adult Sacred ibis, positioned on its back, with the head folded over the sternum, wings folded against the sides of the body, neck curved in an S and limbs flexed and pushed against the body. This ibis does not contain a gizzard stuffed with food but it is packed with rolled up textiles.

Suppl. 8189
Organic animal+plant fiber / Linen
7.8 cm x 12.9 cm x 31 cm
400 BCE – 0
Late Period – Roman Period
Asyut
Excavation Ernesto Schiaparelli, 1906
Museum / Floor 1 / Room 11 RET / Cabinet 49 Mummies / Shelf 03
Museo Egizio