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The National Museum of Slovenia preserves the only human Egyptian mummy in Slovenia. The inscription on the anthropomorphic coffin reveals that the name of the deceased was ISAHTA and that he was a priest of Amun's temple in Karnak. Originating from the west Theban graveyards and dating to the late period (25th - 26th dynasty; 8th - 7th centuries BC), this mummy represents one of the most valuable possessions at the National Museum of Slovenia, Ljubljana. A collector and lover of antiquities, the nobleman Anton Lavrin, and Austrian consul in Egypt, donated it to the then Regional Museum for Carniola (Krainisches Landesmuseum Rudolfinum in Laibach) in 1846. In culmination of conservation and restoration efforts carried out in the Museum workshop, we would like to present this mummy anew to the public. |
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Mummies have long been the
center of interest, triggering numerous questions concerning the time,
causes and manners in which they became. Due to their relatively good
stance of preservation, mummies can serve as excellent sources clarifying
the manner of life style in old Egypt. The age and gender of the deceased
can be determined, certain diseases, occasionally the cause of death and
even the red blood cells can be determined, nerve tissue, DNA etc. Research
is not carried out just as a matter of scientific curiosity, rather for
a whole series of practical purposes. To establish the approach and facilitate
the selection of materials in the conservation and restoration efforts
of a coffin, especially as regards recognition of potential side effects,
it is essential to know as much data as possible; for instance, concerning
what types of pigments and bonding materials were used as well as with
what and how the gesso layers were pasted, what type of linen was used,
whether harmful moulds and microorganisms are present, how and where the
individual pieces were joined together, with what and where the coffin
was already reinforced and repaired etc.In past times, the search for
answers to such questions incorporated the application of methods that
were certainly of no good for the mummies. The mummies were unwrapped,
dissected and cut, and large samples of bones were taken etc. Despite
that many significant determinations concerning mummification and the
lives of the ancient Egyptians were attained, it seems that the operations
themselves were a success and yet the patients (yet again) died.
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All this began to change
with the discovery of X-rays (1895), which facilitated viewing into the
interiors of mummies without the undertaking of drastic procedures. In
1903, only eight years after this momentous discovery, a short notice
was published in the Laibacher Zeitung informing that our mummy was also
X-rayed. However, these first radiographs no longer exist, nor do any
eventual diagnoses. Today, there is a whole series of non-destructive
methods, in addition to X-rays, that are applied during research and conservation
and restoration efforts. These methods include, for instance: Computer
Tomography (CT), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), Infrared
Spectroscopy (IRS) and numerous others. Various microscopes are also indispensable
(optic, spectral, polarizable, electronic). Any necessary samples (if
any) are measured in micrograms. Even taking samples and researching the
interiors of mummies, albeit wrapped, is relatively feasible with the
aid of modern endoscopes with optic fibers. Despite the negligible damage
inflicted, this method is yet a direct intrusion into the actual interior
material tissue of a mummy and it is thus opted for only in very particular
and exceptional examples, and only after thorough consideration.
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The mummy and coffin from
the National Museum of Slovenia have long shown signs warranting serious
concern. Some parts of the gesso (creating the multi-layered, painted
surface) are receding from the wooden foundation, warping, cracking and
falling off. Photographs dating from 1944 indicate that certain pieces
were already lost prior to the mummy's arrival to the museum, while other
pieces (some measuring more than 10 cm2) fell from the coffin in recent
years and are lying in the showcase. The same is happening to the coloring,
which is furthermore, exceptionally sensitive to humidity. That the linen
in which the mummy is wrapped is decaying is also quite apparent. The
stance of the mummy beneath the swathing is unknown as of yet. All these
factors occasion the urgency in providing suitable and stable climatic
conditions (temperature, humidity, light) and in imperative conservation
and restoration efforts. Conservation and restoration problems are resolved
in two manners: as preventive conservatione and as active conservation,
which is the effective approach since 1991 (the mummy is being preserved
in storage in a special chamber providing suitable and stable climatic
conditions), and actively, aiming at restoring the coffin (cleaning, reinforcing,
pasting on pieces that receded and broke off, etc.).
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Prior to the onset of any
given procedure, it is necessary to determine any potential side effects
and/or whether even more damage is caused as a result. Furthermore, prior
to and during working efforts, numerous investigations and analyses are
carried out (microchemical, chemical, physical, microbiological, biological,
X-ray), using modern non-destructive methods if at all possible. The materials
and techniques used to make the coffin must be comprehended to the utmost,
any possible causes and manners of decay need to be determined, as well
as older and newer repairs and intervention, and consequently also the
interactivity between the old and new materials, etc. The appropriate
climatic conditions must also be established and maintained in the workshop
(driers, humidifiers), as well as protection of those carrying out the
conservation and restoration efforts, which do occasionally incorporate
the use of select materials that are injurious to health. All these efforts
would be in vain if the active efforts were not rounded off with passive.
Consequently, the suitable conditions for preserving must be secured for
the exhibition as well (humidity, temperature, lighting and if necessary
also an especial atmospheric composition in the showcase).
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Project:
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The exhibition conception
is multi-level and is planed to be a component of the permanent collection
at the National Museum of Slovenia. Along with the mummy itself, a selection
of objects from the Egyptian collection will portray the history of ancient
Egypt. Explanations of hieroglyphs and inscriptions on coffins will be
given, and a story shall unravel of the mummy's 'life' up to its arrival
at the Regional Museum for Carniola and thereafter, along with the story
of the collector of antiquities, the nobleman and Austrian consul in Egypt
Anton Lavrin, a record of conservation and restoration efforts and investigations,
including all documentation (photographs, diagrams, X-ray snap-shots,
CT images, films and results, gathered documentation, etc.). Following
conservation and restoration, the mummy will be displayed as the central
object in a space portraying a realistic and partly symbolic image of
an Egyptian burial chamber. This will include pictures, photographs, painted
images and all the other objects (the majority of which originate from
graves) in representation of the Egyptian cult of the dead. Some other
objects are a fascinating mummified Ibis, bronze statues of cats, Osiris,
the lid of a canopy, numerous amulets and shabtis, necklaces and much
mor. For the more demanding viewer, all gathered documentation (texts,
photographs, pictures, investigations…) will be presented in a captivating
manner on CD Rom,
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The appropriate promotional
materials are necessary for the exhibition, such as photographs, posters,
T-shirts, pencils and perhaps some copies of certain smaller objects.
Select more captivating details will be also presented on the Internet
on the Web pages of the National Museum of Slovenia, initially only as
a presentation of the project and eventually as part of the permanent
exhibition. Occasional lectures discussing intriguing themes in the field
of Egyptology will further variegate this 'non-European' venture of the
National Museum of Slovenia. Our collection shall be included in the international
list of Egyptian collections (the International Association of Egyptologists).
Periodical guest exhibitions shall be prepared following our own opening.
Let us mention, as a point of interest, that the coffin and mummy of Isahta's
son is preserved at the British Museum in London.
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| PARTICIPANTS Project Leader: National Museum of Slovenia, Ljubljana. Director: Prof. dr. Peter Kos. Technical director of the project: Miran Pflaum, acad. sculptor conservator-restorer. Conservation and restoration: Conservation workshop of the National Museum of Slovenia: Miran Pflaum; Aleš Lah; mag. Gojka Pajagic-Bregar, curator - conservator; Irena Gašperšič, acad. painter (external corresponedent). Director of the workshop: Zoran Milić, univ. dipl. in eng. Collaborators: Roman Hribar; Marjan Blažon, dipl. in archaeol.; Ida Murgelj; Eva Kocuvan, dipl. in archaeol., and Tomaž Lauko, dipl. in modeling (photographer). Director of the Department of Archaeology: dr. Janka Istenič, dipl. in archaeol.
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External Collaborators
and Institutions:
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The
Golnik Hospital, Clinical Department for Lung Diseases and Allergies
(Director - Prof. dr. Jurij Šorli, dr. of med.; Viktorija Tomic, dr.
of med., Technical director of the Laboratory for Respiratory Bacteriology;
mag. Manca Žolnir-Dovč, dr. of med., Technical director of the Laboratory
for Microbacteria; assist. Izidor Kern, dr. of med., Technical director
of the Laboratory for Cytology and Pathology).
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We are maintaining contact
with numerous other professionals and institutions that we have already,
or shall in the future, invited to collaborate on the current needs
of the project.
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