Posted on 05/21/2008 12:15:27 PM PDT by Free ThinkerNY
The last time they had the chance to offend anyone was 2,700 years ago when they were wandering around ancient Egypt.
Since then the mummies have led a blameless existence, spending the last 120 years in a museum where countless thousands of visitors have managed to see them without anyone becoming in the least bit upset.
Not any longer, it appears.
Complaints have led to the naked remains of Asru, a chantress at the Temple of Amun in Karnak, plus the partially-wrapped male Khary and a child mummy, all being covered in shrouds to protect their modesty.
The decision, which has prompted wholesale derision, came after Manchester Museum said it had received 'feedback' from the public saying it was 'insensitive to display unwrapped mummies'.
Having ordered the cover up, managers claim they are following Government policy and are carrying out a public consultation.
Last night the museum, whose Egyptian department has a worldwide reputation, was accused of being ridiculous and told it risked becoming a 'laughing stock'. Mummies at Manchester Museum
Naked truth: Mummies at Manchester Museum are being covered up after visitors complained about them being displayed 'naked'
Bob Partridge, chairman of the Manchester Ancient Egypt Society, said the cover-up was 'absolutely incomprehensible'.
'The mummies have always been sensitively displayed and have been educational and informative to generations of visitors.
"We are shocked this has been done in advance of any results from the public."
Josh Lennon, a museum visitor, said: "This is preposterous. Surely people realise that if they go to see Egyptian remains some of them may not be dressed in their best bib and tucker.
"The museum response to complaints is pure Monty Python - they have now covered them from head to foot rendering the exhibition a non-exhibition. It is hilarious."
Manchester Museum has several mummies - embalmed bodies tightly wrapped in cotton bandages - and is home to one of the most important collections in Britain.
George Mutter, a professor at Harvard medical school in the U.S. said: "For decades the Manchester Museum has been a leader in the scientific study of human mummies.
"The decision to hide the mummies from view is a step backwards."
He added: "In the interest of inclusiveness, the museum has become a playground for those who do not understand the subject at hand, nor respect the interests of scientists and public alike."
But the museum's Nick Merriman said: "We get a stream of feedback saying it is insensitive to display unwrapped mummies.
"We are trying to follow Government guidelines about how they should be displayed with respect and sensitivity."
If the public wanted the mummies unwrapped, the museum would take that "very seriously'," he added.
Darn, just when they were ready for the June “Dead Mummy Lovers” centerfold.
Well, I guess the upside of this is that more museums are going to be able to afford a mummy exhibit. I mean, an old manequin, a bed sheet to cover it, and a sign that says “MUMMY” is considerably less expensive than a 2,700 relic that has to be concealed, anyway.
The deceased were never ASKED if they wanted to be put on public display for money naked.
It isn’t always about prudes. It can also be able showing disrespect for a corpse.
I will not renew either -- and I will let them have both barrels when I tell them why!
:-))
Paging Jeffrey Dahmer
I doubt he cares.
It's only been 2,500 years since he was left naked to rot
Everyone is wearing t-shirts now, anyway. Hang on to your back issues...
I was incensed enough when long deceased relatives of mine were pried from their coffins beneath the floor of the Chapel at St. Mary's City, MD and shown naked on TV. My mother was horrified.
A little decency goes a long way, and it is not necessary to show the parts of a human corpse on display, (be it media or in a glass case), we would not want to show ourselves walking down the street.
My wife and I did exactly that two years ago. Well worth the visit. I also like the fact that all the national museums are free of charge.
ping to 16
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