Mummy at the museum

Aug 21 2007

A 3000-year-old Egyptian mummy is now on show as part of Perth Museum and Art Gallery’s new ‘Painted Ladies’ exhibition. The exhibition opened earlier than scheduled, and the delicate process of installing the mummy in the gallery was completed last week.

Believed to be either an Egyptian princess or priestess, the mummy has been a feature of the museum’s collections since her arrival in 1935 from Alloa Museum. Perthshire residents will no doubt have their own memories of visiting the mummy when she was on permanent display in the museum. In an attempt to preserve her condition as much as possible, full exhibition of the mummy in the galleries has been limited in recent years. This latest exhibition means that a whole new generation of visitors can get to know one of Perth’s oldest residents.

A programme of activities inspired by the ‘Painted Ladies’ in the exhibition will be held in the museum during the first week of the October holidays, October 1-5. The free events will provide entertainment for families each afternoon from 1.30pm until 3.30pm. Youngsters can discover the secrets of mummy wrapping, try mask making, face painting and make up, dressing up, and making papyrus bookmarks, pyramids and much more.

All activities are free and there is no need to book. Children under 12 must be accompanied at all times.

The Painted Ladies exhibition runs until October 25. Perth Museum and Art Gallery is open Monday to Saturday, 10 am until 5pm. Admission is free.

For further details contact Barbara Hamilton on 01738 632488.