Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The internal organs were preserved alongside the mummy in canopic jars, and small-
scale statuettes of the deceased
(shabtis)
were scattered around. Written in hieroglyphs on
the coffins and the tomb walls were burial rites from the topic of the Dead. These were
magical spells to protect the body and crib notes for the waking soul, who needed to know
these passwords to get past the guardians of eternity.
Many of the mummies here are from the time of the Roman occupation, when fine
memorial portraits painted in wax became popular. X-ray photos in the display cases tell
us more about these people.
Don't miss the animal mummies. Cats (Room 62) were popular pets. They were also
considered incarnations of the cat-headed goddess Bastet. Worshipped in life as the sun
god's allies, preserved in death, and memorialized with statues, cats were given the adula-
tion they've come to expect ever since.
•
Linger in Rooms 62 and 63, but remember that eternity is about the amount of time it
takes to see this entire museum. In Room 64, in a glass case, you'll find what's left of a
visitor who tried to see it all...
