The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1823-05-27

EGYPTIAN MUMMY

.Nessrs 1itden & Edes-Gentlemen-I having
been thought necessary that account >hoald be
given Of the appearances opening the Egyptian
| Mummy, presented by yourself and Mr.. Van Lennep
TO the NJ q. Hospital, this duty has devolved
on account Of my connection with the hospital.
The rough packing case Of common boards being y
pened coffin or sarcophagus found within, about
feet long and Of proportionable breadth. The
upper part OF it carved 10 the form Of human head.
intended it from the accounts Of ancient au-
thors represent the features of the deceased ndi
vidual The complexion is painted Of a reddish color
the black; the is broad the face short, aud
the whole physiognomy agreeable, but no' remarkable
for its beauty. The head is covered by cloth
han of striped material, confined behind the aud
dependent the shoulders and breast in manner IA
miar to those accustomed to examine Egyptian ha-
figures. Below the scuptured face appear q great
number OF figures painted in variety of COloTS,
commonly fresh and well preserved. The superior of
them represents the 1pnged glode, the emblem among
the Egyptians Of eternity At the inferior part appear
ed the tuteary hack accompanied by the penetrating
and overwhelming eye he rest Of the exterior Of
this sarcophagus is quite covered with hieoglypbica
figures and enchorial common E. pan characters
regularly placed in compartments of various sizes. The
herogly phics painted in rich coor and prob
ably intended 10 represent the funeral professions and
ceremonies, performed in honor of the deceased per-
son. The meaning of the common characters is IN
known; but the learned hereafter may possibly make
ont from them account of her quality actions the
period OF her existence and death. All the figures
painted with water cOlors ground Of white paiS-
ter OF a close texture, which is spread firm lin
en- cloth, enveOpng the sarcOphagus and made adj
here 10 II closely, by a cement OF gum. Proceeding
open this saTOphagus the Sides II found be
composed Of pieces Of GOD dug Of solid sticks
they are about tN nchesn thickness and are con-
nected aIeray by projecting pieces from the
Ceved into cores ponding cavities Of the other. The
wood i sycamore,in fine preservation excepting where
tue plaster mad been destroyed aud there the decom-
Position appears TO have proceeded to a small extent
only. The intener being exposed, exhibited paiul-
ings on white ground, numerous but more te-
markable than those the outside. The principal OF
these, placed al the back bottom, should cali
~ on the inside, j. full length human figure, with /
the hawks head covered with green uet Work, sim
liar 70 the net of beads found OH the Mummy holding
staff with the head OF the Hoop, bird of passage,
to represent the mutabHty of human affairs, and sur
rounded by curved line beginning and ending in
globe, probably another emblem Of eternity.
This figure with its emblems is undoubtedly repre-
sentation Of Osiris the principal divinity Of the Egypt
uans On the sides, near the former figure CORE pom
ding in situation and size with the last are two female
hgures intended TO represent the deceased person,
tile goddess Isis or, was sometimes the custom Of
the Egyptians, 10 identify in these paintings. the de-
ceased win Isis. II female, and with OslIis II male.
The sarch0phagus found TO contain second,
which in respects resembled it, ID FORM they ,
are both alike exactly fitted to enclose human body.
The carved head the hierog yphcs ana Characters tie
coverings of plaster, and CLOTH have general re-
scmbance butfnstead OF the winged globe, there IL a
winged divinity at the upper and lower parts, intended
probably for Isis the characters are not numer-
Gus the back part is figured although in different
style from the 'front.' and tie whole more fresh and
hhely preserved than the figures the outer salCo
phagus.
The second case being opened at the sides, in tic
same manner as tie first, exposed the Mummy. 1t il
a body about FIVE feet long heavy, and sod 70 The
touch. single cloth Of yellowish color erveloped
from head 70 loot. being confined closely tie Ludl
by three or four narrow strips Of white band. unGtI
which lay the rcliques Of corresponding black dark
bands, SO much decayed TO cTumble atoms on
beng touched. AT its feet lay large collection Of
beads, composed Of green and yellow porcelain
Eected by threads which had ID a great measure ae-
cayed and thus allowed the net WORK TO fall in pieces
Such au ornament is seen covering the figures Of Isis
and OsItis and was no doubt suetched over the vest
ments OF the body III orGer to preserve tile beads
they nave been newly strung and placed in their for
mer situation the fore part Of the mummy. ! cut
open the outer cloth where it covered the face, and
found within II great many layers Of white linen
bandage, closely and artihcally rolled round Tie face
The outer turns are strong and well preserN ed the
inner are more rotten IN proportion they
the body the innemost quite decayed and closely
cemented 10 the skin by the embalning substance
w lh some difficulty and labor these fragments were
separated from the skin. This is OF very dark color
hard and brittle, and in some places wTinked as If il
had been subjected 70 the action OF great heat from
the embalmmg substance poured on i'll very hot
state, or more probably from liz having been immersed
IN large vessel containing this substance in an al
most boiling temperature in consequence Of this, the
features ate altered distorted and blackenod as to
present an appearance not in the least degree pleas
lng-Ihe teeth are fine they complete ia
Der 50 far as can be seen and those of an adult
person. The form Of the face is that Of the European
and not Of the African; for the laws are not prOmn-
ent the forehead is elevated. and is large in lateral
direction the focal angle quite equal 10 that Of Eu-
opeans, and the paretal prouberances strongly pro-
nouuced. have supposed to be female from the
sm2llneSs OF the head and general want of saence in
the protuberanceS from the stature the covered IA
ces on the exterior of the saTcophagi and the female
figures the interior. I was unwilling to expose
any part but rhe Face IN order that the curious might
have an opportunity of observing the condition Of Tie
body as when was removed from the sepulchres OF
lhebes Across The placed tile sacred BEETLE
with another insect of small size and there is also on
tie TOP OF the Maternal sacophagus painted repre-
sentaon Of the beetle, holding in its claws globe
Tie enbamlng substance is AsDhaltls the bitunen
Of Judea; and il is well known that this substance
was employed for the purpose by the ancient Egvp-
tlans II IS introduced into the cavities of the ewes
nose and MOUTH and probably the great cavities Of
me mead and body Every part that has been exam
inca IS so thoroughly Impfegnaed as to lead to tile
suspicion that the body had been immersed in H. while
in a liquifed state.
This IS undoubtedly Of the most perfect and Gu
nous presentations which has issued from the cata-
combs Of Egypt The freshness ofthe coIors tie firm
ness Of the plaster the fine condition oc the wood and
he strong texture OF the linen, might lead 10 ques-
ton ~ regard To IFS antiquity Difficulties as 10 the
possibility OF rs being long preserved III this state
VIII vanish, when II is remembered that the walls OF
the Metropolis OF Thebes, and even Of small and I'LL
suated monuments exhibit all the perfection of figure
ara OF coorng; that the profound recesses Of The c
q me dead hewn out Of solid rocks are inaccessible n
snif that t.rst t.rr,. -..