Egyptian. <em>Ibis Mummy</em>, 664–30 B.C.E. Linen, feathers or reeds, 4 1/8 × 3 1/2 × 12 5/8 in. (10.5 × 8.9 × 32.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.2042.18E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.2042.18E_PS9.jpg)

Egyptian. Ibis Mummy, 664–30 B.C.E. Linen, feathers or reeds, 4 1/8 × 3 1/2 × 12 5/8 in. (10.5 × 8.9 × 32.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.2042.18E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.2042.18E_PS9.jpg)

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What did they make these wraps from?

Mummy wrappings were made from linen in ancient Egypt. In fact, most textile-needs were fulfilled by linen, which is made from fibers of the flax plant.

Thank you!

You're welcome! If you see images of ancient Egyptians wearing white garments (which are abundant) those would have been linen as well!

What is the ibis mummy

Hi! An ibis is a type of water bird with a long, curved beak. The ancient Egyptians associated them with Thoth, the god of wisdom and writing.

There were certain temples where the priests bred the birds specifically to be mummified and sold to the public for making donations to the god.

Thank you!!

What did the ibis symbolize something that made them so popular?

Their long beak resembled the reed pens used by scribes, which is how they came to be associated with the god Thoth.

Ibis Mummy

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

Though both of these mummies originally had elaborate wrappings, it is impossible to predict from the wrappings exactly what lies inside the package. CT scans and X-rays reveal that one ibis is complete and the other mummy contains feathers but no skeleton. The fragmentary one might represent a corrupt practice that cheated the worshipper of a complete animal.

The mummy decorated with a herringbone pattern is complete.

CULTURE Egyptian

MEDIUM Linen, feathers or reeds

Reportedly From: Saqqara, Egypt

DATES 664–30 B.C.E.

DYNASTY Dynasty 26, or later

PERIOD Late Period to Ptolemaic Period

DIMENSIONS 4 1/8 × 3 1/2 × 12 5/8 in. (10.5 × 8.9 × 32.1 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 37.2042.18E

CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION The mummy contains feathers or reeds and other unidentifed materials.

EXHIBITIONS

Soulful Creatures: Animal Mummies in Ancient Egypt

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Egyptian. Ibis Mummy, 664–30 B.C.E. Linen, feathers or reeds, 4 1/8 × 3 1/2 × 12 5/8 in. (10.5 × 8.9 × 32.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.2042.18E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.2042.18E_PS9.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 37.2042.18E_PS9.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2015

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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