Carnegie Museum of Natural History
One of the Four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh
We may be known for our dinosaurs but Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh’s collection actually began with Egypt. Purchased by Andrew Carnegie, the first object accessioned (acc. 1-1) is a Dynasty 21 Egyptian coffin that belonged to a chantress of Amun, who was probably a temple singer.
Before the coffin was sealed, a floral wreath made of woven leaves, grass, and flowers was placed across the mummy’s chest. Such wreaths are important in the study of ancient Egyptian flora.
(Photo by Josh Franzos)
Assistant Curator of Science and Research Dr. Erin Peters gives us the scoop on this ancient Egyptian cat mummy and even lets us in on a little secret that was only recently discovered about this object!
Ask a Scientist is a new short video series where we ask our research staff questions about the millions of amazing objects and specimens stored in our collection. Tune in on YouTube, and submit your own questions via Twitter @CarnegieMNH
Although manufactured in ancient Egypt, these “pilgrim flasks” had a shape imitating known Mycenaean and Syro-Palestinian forms. The small size and high polish indicate that they held precious oils or perfumes.
(photo by Hayley Pontia)
The Uraeus, a cobra, was a symbol intended to protect royalty in ancient Egypt. This painted limestone was from the Early Dynasty XVIII, reign of Amenhotep I.
(photo by Hayley Pontia)
The jackal or jackal-headed deity, Anubis, was Lord of the Necropolis and supervisor of embalming. In a tomb, his statuette served the deceased as a guardian. This statue is on display in Walton Hall of Ancient Egypt at Carnegie Museum of Natural History.
This boat, which was discovered outside of Cairo in the Dashur pyramid complex, is currently on display in Walton Hall of Ancient Egypt. Egyptologists believe that the boat, one of four discovered at Dashur, was used in funerary rituals to transport the pharaoh’s body across the Nile where it was mummified and buried.
