Mummies Of The World Now Open At Carnegie Science Center

Photo credit Mummies of the World/ Carnegie Science Center

By Andrew Limberg, NewsRadio 1020 KDKA

PITTSBURGH (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) - The much anticipated “Mummies of the World” exhibit is now open at the Carnegie Science Center.

Nicole Chynoweth with the Science Center tells John Shumway on KDKA Radio they are excited to share the exhibit with Pittsburgh.

"It features 40 real human and animal mummies from all over the world. So traditionally we associate mummification with Egypt, but this exhibition shows you that there are more than one type of mummy in the world, and they're found everywhere,” said Chynoweth.

How does a body become a mummy?

"Mummification takes place whenever the process of decay is blocked, generally from a lack of moisture oxygen, and this can happen as an intentional process - which is sometimes referred to as intentional or artificial modification. That's the Egyptian mummies that we traditionally think of,” said Chynoweth.

When you think of mummies you probably think of Egypt, but Chynoweth says it’s so much more than that.

The bodies in Egypt were mummified on purpose but Chynoweth says it can also happen accidentally.

"Some examples of natural mummification that are featured in this exhibition include the Vac mummies, a mummified family from Hungary believed to have died from tuberculosis. They were preserved in a small church, until the remains of over 265 mummies were discovered by a bricklayer doing repair work in 1994."

You’ll also get to touch materials that will let you feel what a mummy would feel like, but don’t worry they’re not real.

"We do have a very cool, like a textile interactive exhibit, where visitors will get to touch examples of what bog bones, embalmed skin, mummified animal furs, other mummy related materials might feel like."

Chynoweth adds the exhibit is not scary and kids “are loving it.”

There is a family guide available online so parents can determine if the exhibit is for them.

Photo credit Mummies of the World/ Carnegie Science Center