When thinking of mummies, many think of a corpse covered in wrinkled, dirty old bandages, walking with outstretched hands and cursing death upon those who try to open a cursed treasure.
This monster stereotype has gained popularity through decades of film depictions, but these myths were busted in Columbus last Thursday.
The Columbus Museum of Art held the “Mummy Myth Busters,” where museum employees discussed the truth about mummies.
Curator of European art Dominique Vasseurand and educator for adult programs/film & AV specialist Jeff Sims hosted the event. Vasseur spoke about the historical aspect of mummies, while Sims discussed the film fictions that keep the mummy stereotype alive.
The speakers debunked the myth of the mummy curse. The origin of the myth dates back to 1922, when a mosquito bit an archeologist after he discovered King Tut’s tomb. While shaving, he knicked the bite, leading to an infection. He died five months later, and the story took off from there.
The myth debunkers also said there is no single book of the dead. It was actually a collection of papyrus scrolls with mythology about the afterlife.
Museum Director Nannette Maciejunes said she wanted to have fun with the subject and shed some light on the truth about ancient mummies. The event was held in conjunction with the exhibit “To Live Forever: Egyptian Treasures from the Brooklyn Museum.”
Sims said he thought the program would help people see that mummification was simply a part of life.
“Most of us just see a monster, but what we don’t realize is that these mummies are just regular people,” Sims said. “It was a common experience that everyone would have liked to experience. It was a religious belief.”
The collection will be at the museum until June 7. The museum is located at 480 E. Broad St. For more information call 614-221-6801.
Brittany Jones can be reached at [email protected].
