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At face value

Related Images

  • Fig. 1 - Closeup of the mummy’s face
  • Fig. 2 - Photograph of a peregrine falcon - Ltshears - [wikicommons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Peregrine_Falcon_12.jpg)
  • Fig. 3 - Falcon-headed canopic jar - The British Museum - [EA 9550](https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/Y_EA9550)
  • Fig. 4 - Relief depicting Horus giving ‘life’ to king Ramesses II - Louvre - [N 128](https://collections.louvre.fr/en/ark:/53355/cl010011364)

Zooming in on the face of this mummy, we can discern some strange black markings. Although the mummy is human-shaped (it even has feet!), it is very small, only about 24 centimetres long. We can find a clue as to the contents in the markings on its head: they do not depict a human face. It might not be clear at first glance, but these are actually the facial features of a falcon, as is often rendered in ancient Egyptian art (also compare figures 2 and 3). In this particular case, the features are a bit odd-looking, but still recognizable.

Judging from this fact, we may conclude that this small mummy contains the remains of a falcon. Falcons were considered sacred animals in ancient Egypt, mainly because of their association with the falcon(-headed) god of kingship, Horus (fig. 4).

Let’s take a closer look at the mummy and find out more.