Abstract
Egyptian Mummy -
Tash pen Khonsu

 

Schröder, Fachhochschule Hildesheim / Holzminden / Göttingen
Christchurch, Coffin Lid, Egyptian Mummy - Tash pen Khonsu

Description of Materials and Methods:
The mummy consists of four main parts, the mummified human remains, painted cartonnage on the top of the mummy, seven small ushabti figures and the wooden coffin comprising of the lower coffin box and the lid. This report contains in the first part only the examinations and treatments of the coffin lid.
The coffin cover is in the form of a human female, wearing a headdress. It is 180cm long, maximum 43.5cm (chest) and minimum 30.5cm (ankle) wide. The lid is mainly constructed from one piece of hollowed out wood. Only on the base is a small piece of wood added. The width of the wood varies from 3.0cm to 4.0cm on the top edge, the base and the sides.
Because Cedar of Lebanon (cedrus libani) was typically used in the construction of cases dated 95 BC-50 AD- it is probable that this coffin has also been made from this species of wood. (1)

(Images Folder: canterb_mummy_fig_02.jpg)

The interior of the coffin lid is lined with linen adhered onto the wood, followed by an unpainted straw and gesso mixture layer on the top, which is usually a mixture of calcium carbonate and an organic binder. On the edges, gesso is applied directly on the wood with no supporting linen fabric underneath.
On the exterior side of the lid a gesso layer is applied on the wooden substrate. Linen is placed on the top, followed by another gesso layer and finally the painted surface, which has a thick and yellowish brown uneven coating. The painting shows horizontal and vertical lines of hieroglyphic text and representations of different Gods coloured yellow, white, blue, black, turquoise blue and light blue. For a detailed description of the painted surface refer to appendices. (2)

(Images Folder: canterb_mummy_fig_03.jpg)

(1) (Literature Titles/Sources: Ng, Amy 1998) p 2
(2) (Literature Titles/Sources: Sullivan, Peter 1998) pp 10-14; (Literature Titles/Sources: Canterbury Museum Library, Christchurch, RollestoneNew Zealand, The Mummy, EA 1989.13, AR1001.0. 1989) ; 
(Literature Titles/Sources: New Zealand, Canterbury Museum Library, Rolleston Avenue, Christchurch, Guide to the Collection of the Canterbury Museum. 1900)

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