Egyptian. <em>Ibis Mummy</em>, 664–30 B.C.E. Animals remains (Glossy Ibis, Plegadis falcinellus, or an African Sacred Ibis, Threskiornis aethiopicus), linen, 7 x 7 1/8 x 16 3/8 in. (17.8 x 18.1 x 41.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.2042.34E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.2042.34E_PS9.jpg)

Egyptian. Ibis Mummy, 664–30 B.C.E. Animals remains (Glossy Ibis, Plegadis falcinellus, or an African Sacred Ibis, Threskiornis aethiopicus), linen, 7 x 7 1/8 x 16 3/8 in. (17.8 x 18.1 x 41.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.2042.34E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.2042.34E_PS9.jpg)

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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.

Is an ibis a bird? How did they mummify it?

Yes, it is a type of water bird with a long, curving beak. Priests would set out food to attract flocks of these wild birds, some of which would be captured, killed, and mummified. They also took advantage of birds that died of natural causes.

The animal was dried using natron, a type of salt found in abundance. Then it would be wrapped in linen that was soaked in plant resin.

For the gods?

Yes! The Egyptians believed that animals had souls and could carry messages to the gods. The ibis is associated with Thoth, the god of writing (because the reed used to write with resembled the bird's beak).

A god of writing is so cool.

I think so too!

Ibis Mummy

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

These four animal mummies are in ibis-related shapes but different wrapping styles. The CT scans and X-rays shown here reveal that two of these mummies are indeed ibises, as expected, but that of the two others, one contains snakes and the other contains shrews.

Scientific examination has revolutionized scholars’ understanding of the most basic data available in analyzing animal mummies.

CULTURE Egyptian

MEDIUM Animals remains (Glossy Ibis, Plegadis falcinellus, or an African Sacred Ibis, Threskiornis aethiopicus), linen

DATES 664–30 B.C.E.

PERIOD Late Period to Ptolemaic Period

DIMENSIONS 7 x 7 1/8 x 16 3/8 in. (17.8 x 18.1 x 41.6 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 37.2042.34E

CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

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. Animals remains (Glossy Ibis, Plegadis falcinellus, or an African Sacred Ibis, Threskiornis aethiopicus), linen, 7 x 7 1/8 x 16 3/8 in. (17.8 x 18.1 x 41.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.2042.34E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.2042.34E_PS9.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 37.2042.34E_PS9.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2015

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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