Hyderabad: The 2,350 years old Egyptian Mummy which is on display at the YSR AP State Museum, will soon have a special conservation room for itself, considering its bad shape. Talks are on to rope in the National Physical Laboratory to complete the task. Currently being preserved in an air tight glass case, the Mummy is soon expected to have an advanced facility for effective preservation in the next four months.
The mummy, 18-year-old Ieshu, was the daughter of Pharaoh VI, and initially consisted of bright decorations and writings in turquoise, terracotta and gold colours, which faded over time. But because of the poor conservation measures and the absence of an oxygen-free chamber here, the crust of the embalmed body, lying in an airtight enclosure, is fragmenting at the face, shoulders and around the feet. The wrapping has also started to peel off and the cracks are conspicuous. “Microorganisms have formed as the glass case of mummy is not air tight,” the official explained.
Museum officials told City Express that a team of Egyptian scientists, experts in preservation of mummies inspected the mummy back in 2009 and suggested the Department of Archeology and Museums that the mummy required sterilisation and an oxygen-free case to prevent growth of microbes.
“After inspecting the mummy, one of the scientists and Cairo-based conservationist, Tarek El Avadhi sent his report from Egypt and recommended to arrange for conservation materials, that included an airtight glass case to protect the Mummy from climatic changes,” said KSB Kesava, deputy director.
The authorities have sought an estimated Rs 25 lakh for setting up the facility. “If everything goes as planned, the work will be set up in the next four months,” he said.
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