Rooms 62–63
Egyptian death and the afterlife: mummies
Key information
Free wifi available – use a smartphone or tablet
Suitable for all ages
Rooms 62–63
Egyptian death and afterlife: mummies (The Roxie Walker Galleries)
Explore ancient Egypt using these fun family missions.
Death and the afterlife were very important to ancient Egyptians. If they could reach the afterlife, they believed they would find a perfect version of their life on earth. It wasn't easy to get there though. People buried valuable and important objects in tombs to help the dead make the journey. Take a closer look at a selection of objects which were all used in caring for the dead.
Find mummies and more as you roam around the gallery looking for exhibits, and use your phone or tablet for the pose and perform missions.
Museum Missions is presented in The Roxie Walker Galleries of Egyptian death and afterlife: mummies.
Perform
Find the papyrus containing the Book of the Dead of Padiamenet, pictured here. The god Osiris, coloured blue, looks very important sitting high on his chair. The second figure is wearing a white robe and stretching his arms out to present Osiris with a gift, perhaps plants or food.
Ancient Egyptians believed in many different gods and goddesses, each responsible for different parts of life. It was important to respect and worship them so that life continued smoothly. Osiris was the god of the dead and offerings were made to him to ensure safe passage to the afterlife. You'll see scenes showing Osiris similar to this one on many of the objects in this room because most of the objects come from tombs.
Record a video acting as if you're bringing an offering to a powerful Egyptian god or goddess. Tell them what you're offering them and what you're asking for in exchange. What will their response be?
Discuss
Discuss
This is a mummified body wrapped in linen bandages. Previously, to find out what was underneath these bandages, they would have to be removed. This often damaged the fragile mummy. Now, science helps us to see exactly what lies inside without the need to unwrap the mummy. The X-ray image just in front of the display shows that the bandages contain the carefully mummified remains of an adult.
How would you feel if your body was preserved thousands of years from now?
Look
Look for this beautifully decorated coffin lid.
You'll need to study the details from head to toe to find this specific one. Its stripy wig distinguishes it from the rest. It must have taken a long time to paint all of the colourful patterns, hieroglyphs, animals and religious scenes onto this wonderful wooden coffin.
Can you spot:
- The god Osiris sitting down wearing a feathered white crown
- The god Horus who has the head of a falcon
- The snake slithering between them both
How many other snakes can you see on this coffin?
Pose
Mummy of a cat
Figure of a woman kneeling
Decorated coffin
Coffin with painted eye panel
