128 Mummy

Museum Description: Mummy of a Young Man

Room: 62/Case: 7/Number: None

Scripture: Genesis 50:2

This mummy is from the Roman period, showing just how long this practice continued.   The term 'mummy' comes from the Arabic 'mummiya', which means 'bitumen'.  When the body was soaked in resin as part of the embalming process it appeared black.  Jacob (Israel) was embalmed, though this must not have included the Egyptians spiritistic practices.

The Egyptians had an elaborate belief in the immortality of the soul.  They believed that there were several other aspects of their being. The 'ka' was a spiritual copy of the physical body. The 'ba' could be likened to a person’s character or personality.  The 'akh', “germinated” from the mummy as magic spells were said over it, and would then live in the underworld with the gods.  What a contrast to the simple truth in the Bible that "the dead know nothing at all"!  Other similar or related artefacts are on display in The British Museum.