Divine Creatures Year Two: Unlocking the Secrets of Ancient Egyptian Animal Mummies
- 18 hours ago
- 3 min read
In 2024, a major research project began at the British Museum with a simple but fascinating goal: to better understand the animal mummies of ancient Egypt. Backed by a Augmentum grant, this two-and-a-half-year initiative brings together scientists, conservators, and curators to study how and why animals were mummified—and what these practices reveal about ancient Egyptian life.
Now in its second year (2025–2026), the project is beginning to uncover remarkable insights.
Peering Inside the Mummies
Using advanced imaging techniques like X-rays and CT scans, researchers have examined hundreds of mummies without unwrapping them. These scans reveal details such as the species, age at death, and even how the animals were prepared.
In some cases, scientists have identified the animals’ last meals, offering rare glimpses into their diets. The scans also show how embalmers carefully shaped the mummies using sticks, textiles, and plant materials—suggesting that appearance and symbolism were just as important as preservation.
Dating the Practice
By analysing around 200 samples using radiocarbon dating, researchers are building a clearer timeline of animal mummification. Early findings suggest that the peak period of activity occurred between 400 and 200 BC, although practices varied depending on the species and location.
This growing dataset is helping researchers connect the British Museum’s collection with others across Europe, creating a broader picture of how these rituals evolved over time.
Caring for Fragile Remains
Preserving the mummies themselves is just as important as studying them. Conservation teams have created custom storage supports and carried out detailed restoration work on dozens of specimens. Some treatments took up to 50 hours, reflecting the delicate nature of these ancient objects.
This work not only protects the mummies but also improves access for future research, reducing the need for handling and lowering the risk of damage.
The Chemistry of Embalming
One of the most revealing parts of the project involves analysing the substances used in mummification. Scientists have collected over 100 samples from a wide range of animals—including cats, birds, baboons, and even a large crocodile.
The results show that embalmers used complex mixtures of ingredients such as beeswax, plant resins, and oils. In some cases, bitumen (a tar-like substance) was also detected. These findings suggest that mummification was not only a religious practice but also a sophisticated and resource-intensive industry.
Interestingly, different species appear to have been treated with different recipes, and future analysis may reveal how these methods changed over time or varied by region.
Collaboration and Public Engagement
This project is highly collaborative, involving experts from institutions like the Natural History Museum and ZSL London Zoo. Their contributions help identify animal species and better understand diseases and physical changes seen in the mummies.
Beyond academic research, the team is working to share their discoveries with the public through blog posts, videos, exhibitions, and online museum records, making this ancient world more accessible than ever.
What’s Next?
With most of the data now collected, the final year of the project will focus on deeper analysis and sharing results. Planned outputs include academic papers, exhibitions, and international presentations, including events in Cairo and Alexandria.
As the research continues, these “divine creatures” are offering a richer understanding of ancient Egyptian beliefs, economies, and daily life, proving that even after thousands of years, they still have stories to tell.
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