The Ancient Egyptian Animal Bio Bank Project
Radiograph of an intentionally mummified hawk from ancient Egypt. Copyright - The Manchester Museum, University of Manchester / Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Established in June 2010, the Ancient Egyptian Animal Bio Bank Project is a centralised database of mummified animal material from museums in the UK and overseas. The concept, developed to follow on from the International Ancient Egyptian Mummy Tissue Bank, will combine known records with new research to broaden current knowledge and increase understanding of the specimens, and how they were born out of the religious beliefs of the time.
The Bio Bank contains many different types of information relating to the mummies:-
- Location details, museum identifier numbers and curatorial contact details
- Known acquisition information – how the mummies came to be where they are today
- Provenance and dating information
- Accurate measurements and descriptions
- Condition report
- Photographs
- Radiographic images – X-ray and CT scan
- Samples*
- Results of scientific investigation carried out on samples
- Published work
* Small samples are removed from mummies where possible for storage in the Tissue Bank facility. Usually these are taken from areas of existing damage, from poor quality mummies or from debris already detached from the mummy bundle due to handling or storage. Samples range from linen, resin and organic materials, through to bone, soft-tissue, feather and fur.
Radiograph of a modern naturally mummified domestic cat. Copyright - Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum of Wales, Cardiff / Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
The ultimate aim of the Bio Bank is to create a resource for researchers wishing to work on mummified animal material whilst reducing the need for the specimens themselves to be moved from their home institution. In this way, the Bio Bank acts as a conservation measure, helping to preserve the mummies for future generations whilst allowing the opportunity for further study using modern biomedical techniques.
Anyone wishing to support this project should contact Dr. Lidija McKnight (lidija.mcknight@manchester.ac.uk) for further information on how to do so.