Animal Mummies

Coordinators: Sara Aicardi, Federica Facchetti, Maria Diletta Pubblico

Team: Salima Ikram, Alberto Valazza, Matilde Borla

Partner institutions: Università di Torino; American University; Soprintendenza Archeologia e Belle Arti di Torino

The project dedicated to the study, analysis, and restoration of animal mummies concluded its first phase with the publication of the catalogue edited by Salima Ikram, Sara Aicardi, and Federica Facchetti, The Animal Mummies of the Museo Egizio, Turin (Studi del Museo Egizio 5), Turin–Modena 2024. This work brought to light new research questions that will be explored through dedicated projects, such as the study of falcon-shaped sarcophagi containing primate mummies (possibly human fetuses), whose nature was revealed through CT scans but still requires further analysis for deeper investigation. A second project concerns statuettes of Osiris and stone, wooden, and metal obelisks that contain, or once contained, animal remains, whose use and significance are still not fully understood.

In 2022/23, the SEAMS project – A Study of Egyptian Animal Mummy Styles – was launched, a postdoctoral research project funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie programme and carried out by Maria Diletta Pubblico (SEAMS - Museo Egizio).

The results of all the studies conducted on the animal mummies will be showcased within a new installation in the gallery dedicated to them. The display cases will be redesigned to allow for thematic insights — ranging from scientific analyses to the different types of wrapping, as well as the unusual cases that emerged during the research — also through the use of multimedia supports, with the aim of communicating to the public the outcomes of the various research projects initiated over the years.

The study project on the falcon coffins and the statuettes of Osiris and obelisks containing animal mummies requires further archaeometric analyses, including radiocarbon dating and computerized microtomography analyses (micro-CT scans). The latter are intended to better characterize and date the organic remains preserved inside them. In particular, the tomographic investigations will make it possible to deepen the data already obtained through CT scans or radiography, clearly identifying the presence of animal species or human remains and clarifying their state of preservation. Radiocarbon dating, on the other hand, aims to further investigate the chronology, particularly of the Osiris statues and the obelisks, thereby helping to explore their function.

Link:

Lecture “The animal mummies of the Museo Egizio, Turin”, held on July 17, 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6KIEN4akZs

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Animal Mummies

Animal Mummies

Visit

Events

Collection and research

Touring exhibitions

Who we are

Fondazione Trasparente

HR and tenders

Press