Why is there an Egyptian mummy in our archives?
Whilst volunteers worked through a box of artefacts and documents from Radiology we uncovered an intriguing set of large X-ray transparencies. Labelled ‘Haenmetu’ and ‘Salisbury General Hospital Odstock Branch’ they showed a series of images of a skeleton. Taking a closer look these seemed to be of an Egyptian mummy; but where was the mummy?
Search for Haenmetu
After seeking online for Haenmetu and drawing a blank we opened up the search to see if there were any mummies in local collections and we quickly found a mummy in Swindon Museum and Art Gallery named Hatemiu (also spelt Hatemui in some articles). This seemed like too much of a coincidence and the name difference could be down to a spelling error.
We contacted Swindon and found out more about Hatemiu. The mummy was in a private collection in Swindon before transferring to the museum. It was examined in the 1980s and this indeed included being sent to Salisbury Hospital for x-ray scans.
Why was a mummy sent to a hospital?
Technology at the time meant only hospitals and large university institutions had machinery to perform large x-rays; so often objects came to hospital for investigations.
Why x-ray?
X-ray allowed conservators to look at what was going on inside the bandages; without the need to destroy precious remains and wrappings by cutting them open. They could see the condition of the skeleton, if there are any grave goods (such as jewellery or beads), and also tell a lot about the age and medical history of the person. They could also make recommendations about storing the mummy in the museum and protect it into the future. Listen to Miles Woodford recall memories of x-raying the Egyptian Mummy.
What can we deduce from examining the bones?
We took the x-ray scans to some of the Radiology team who examined the images.
Picture 1 (Collection number 2021.931) we can see the chest area of the mummy, very clear are the ribs and spine. The arms are folded and the hands crossed, at the wrist, on top of the chest. Where the arms are placed in these burials can be significant and help to identify the era (different dynasties of Egyptian history placed the hands in distinct positions). Crossing the hands was also associated at times with high status burials or royalty.
Picture 2 (2021.932) we can see the lower spine and hips. The condition of the bones and joint can tell a lot about the age of the mummy. The pelvis is often used in archaeology to determine the sex of the skeleton. We looked at the greater sciatic notch (curved area on the inside area of the pelvis) can be broader or wider in women as an adaptation for childbirth. These differences are more subtle before adulthood so are not always diagnostic on their own. It was considered that this was the remains of a young person and it was not so clear in this instance. There was also discussion by staff about the presence of something above the left-hand pelvis (the right of the image). It was speculated it could be a sign of disease such as a tumour in the bone, which might contribute to case of death; or it could be fabric which was used as part of the mummification process. (Something worth investigating further?)
Picture 3 (2021.933) shows the upper legs. Radiology staff were really impressed with the bone density and condition of the mummy considering its potential age (2000+ years old). You can also see rags or fabric used between the legs of the mummy.
Picture 4 (2021.934) This image was one of the most interesting to Radiology staff. It is taken from the back of the skull looking forward towards the eye sockets and is a difficult image to take, this is a good example and it allows clear examination of the skull condition. What was noticed is a hairline fracture (showing up as a narrow dark line in the centre crossing diagonally). Staff were unable to say whether this happened closely before or after death.
Picture 5 (2021.935) This shows a clear image of the front face of the skull. Showing eye sockets, nose teeth and chin.
Picture 6 (2021.936) shows a series of close-up images of the crossed wrists and hands of the mummy. These may have been important for several reasons. Hand and wrist bones can help tell the age of a skeleton in a younger person; they can be measured, look at the appearance and shape of the bones as these change from birth to pre-adult age. Secondly this area may have been examined to see if there was any jewellery around the fingers and wrists.
Picture 7 (2021.937) is an image of the side of the skull, this shows up the head and neck area. You can see the teeth in good condition and a shadow of the mummies face and nose is also visible. There was some discussion about the white area at the back of the skull which may have been made during the mummification process and the body lying on its back.
Who was Hatemiu?
Contacting the museum we were able to find out more about Hatemiu. Studies that have been made that suggest he was a young person (possibly around 10 or 12 years old) and from hieroglyphs painted in black on the coffin lid we know his name and that of his mother Tashentnet(aihet). Hatemiu lived around 323-30 B.C. this has been dated by the style of painting on the face mask and decorative features. He was probably from a wealthy family and has been referred to as a ‘boy priest’. The coffin also contains decoration asking protection from Osiris, God of the Dead.
Hatemiu had suffered from a skull fracture and it was suggested that this was caused when he was dropped by the priests during the mummification process.
His mummy would have likely been plundered from Thebes in Egypt and brought back to England by a rich collector during the early 19th Century as a souvenir. He was acquired in 1922 by Charles Gore of Swindon (businessman collector turned first curator of Swindon’s first museum). This was the height of interest in Egyptian culture and ‘Tut-fever’ with the tomb of Tutankhamum being discovered in that year too!
In 2001 he was moved to the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery and was put on display in a dedicated tomb exhibition.
Research:
Hatemiu’s journey into the afterlife: the significance of mummy adornment and funerary art on Akhmim mummies during the Ptolemaic period dissertation by Sana Khan for Swindon Museum and Art Gallery.
https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/10938607.The_Mummy_returns/
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