What on Earth?

How to unwrap an animal mummy without touching it

By Lisa Hendry and David Urry

Hidden within the Museum's collection is a specimen that holds a secret. What lies within this 2,000-year-old animal mummy from Egypt?

Richard Sabin, the Museum's Vertebrate Collections Manager, and Science Communicator David Urry investigate.

With the help of Dr Farah Ahmed and the Museum's micro-CT scanner, they reveal what was hidden from view for more than 2,000 years.

The specimen is one of hundreds of mummified animals donated to the Museum by English Egyptologist Flinders Petrie.

The contents of many of these mummies remain a mystery. But with modern imaging techniques allowing us to see inside without damaging the specimen, it is only a matter of time until further secrets are revealed.

Enjoy exclusive events and behind-the-scene tours where you can discover more Museum secrets.