Museum of Antiquities

The **Museum of Antiquities** is the setting for the attraction *Revenge of the Mummy* at *Universal Studios*.

## Description

The Museum of Antiquities is a museum located at 1203 Harryhausen Drive in New York City. The museum shows artifacts and curios taken from cultures around the world. The entrance to the museum has six columns.

### Features

#### Lower Level

The lower level of the museum had many authentic ancient Egyptian artifacts, carrying the *Curse of the Mummy*, Imhotep.

* **Room S**: An exhibition room. It used to be an expansion of the Skull Island relics exhibit, before being repurposed for the, "Living Mummy" exhibit.
* **Room T**: Room T held the, "An Authentic Dig Site" exhibition, made to resemble an Ancient Egyptian temple excavation.
* **Room Q**: Room Q held the, "Egyptian Artifacts and Treasures" exhibition. Various Egyptian mummies were held within this chamber.
* **Room R**: A room which had an exhibit of artifacts from Skull Island.

#### Main Level

* **Bathrooms**: The museum's bathrooms are located on the main level.
* **Lobby**: The large lobby with front-desk.
* **Room A**: An exhibition room which held the Medieval Art exhibit.
* **Room B**: An exhibition room which held the Rugs of Persia exhibit.
* **Room C**: Connected to Room B, this room held the Heroes of Greece exhibit.
* **Room D**: This room had, "nice chairs".
* **Room E**: A room which was used for a Belgian Fresco exhibit.
* **Room F**: A room which was used for the Chinese History exhibit.
* **Room G**: A room which had an exhibit on Roman Toiletries.
* **Room H**: A large room which had a closed down exhibit.
* **Room I**: A room used for the exhibit, "Canada by Night".

#### Top Level

* **Room J**: An exhibit room which held the Finnish Folk Art exhibit.
* **Room K**: An exhibit room of unknown contents.
* **Room L**: An exhibit room of unknown contents.
* **Room M**: An exhibit room of unknown contents.
* **Room N**: An exhibit room of unknown contents.
* **Room O**: Held a closed exhibit.
* **Room P**: Held an exhibit connected to Pompeii.

## History

*Regarding the fictional history of the Museum of Antiquities, provided in the parks.*

#### Origins

The museum of antiquities opened in 1923. Also in 1923, the shop, " Sahara Traders Souvenirs and Supplies" opened nearby and sold souvenirs for the museum while seemingly holding many of its artifacts.

In the winter of 1933, the museum was affiliated with filmmaker/showman Carl Denham's exhibition of the captured giant gorilla, King Kong, in New York City's Broadway Theater where he promoted it as, "The Eighth Wonder of the World". During this time, the museum held an exhibition on artifact "Curios" taken from Skull Island. When shown off on the November 13th of 1933, King Kong broke loose and went on a rampage in New York City where he scaled the Empire State Building before being shot-dead.

#### The Living Mummy

Seeking a, "Ninth Wonder of the World", Carl attempted to find Ancient Egyptian artifacts and mummies which he could display in the Museum of Antiquities. Denham attempted correspondence with author/egyptologist Evelyn O'Connell due to her fictional character Scarlatt O'Keeffe in hopes she could get mummies and ancient artifacts for him. When she refused, he made rude comments about Evelyn and her mother resulting in her cutting contact with him.

Denham also made contact with Evelyn's brother, Jonathan Carnahan, who arranged to sell Denham multiple ancient Egyptian artifacts along with some clothes belonging to Evelyn's adventurer husband, Rick O'Connell. Many of these artifacts appeared to have been magical, as some fit the descriptions of the preserved scarabs, *Bracelet of Anubis*, and *Book of the Dead* from the O'Connell's fights with the mummy priest, Imhotep. Carnahan also offered Denham access to a supposedly cursed temple which Carnaham proposed Denham could shoot one of his films at.

Writer Jack Driscoll who was involved in Denham's expedition to Skull Island sent the museum a warning letter advising them to cut ties with Dunham and not go through with his exhibit on mummies and Egyptology. Driscoll warned the museum about Denham's recent interest in Ancient Egyptian artifacts and what may have been the Book of the Dead, while also telling the museum that they owed it to the city (presumably referencing their involvement in King Kong's rampage). This warning was ripped in half and discarded. Through unknown circumstances, Carl Denham came into the possession of an undead mummy (most likely the priest Imhotep; possibly reanimated through the *Book of the Dead*). Denham put this on display in the lower levels of the museum, deeming it, "The Ninth Wonder of the World, the Living Mummy" and having its exhibit take up the space previously used for the expanded Skull Island exhibition.

Denham's later exhibits included, "An Authentic Dig Site" which mimicked excavation of an Ancient Egyptian temple, and, "Egyptian Artifacts and Treasures". Set to open around the same time were the exhibits, "M. Shelley presents Historic architecture and where to find them", "Dr. Carl Maia presents Piscine Amphibious Humanoid Skeleton", "Transylvania Artifacts, Lore and Legends Collection" and, "History Ancient Ruins and Lost Civilizations". The Transylvania Exhibit opened, seemingly having artifacts belonging to Count Dracula, and, "The Wolfman", Larry Talbot.

The later history of Denham's Living Mummy exhibit is unknown, however it is known that fear and superstitious would surround the building for years to come regarding, "The Curse of the Mummy".

#### Revenge of the Mummy

Around the 2000s, the museum's Egyptian artifacts and dig site exhibits were used for filming the third instalment of the *The Mummy* action film franchise, based on the stories of Imhotep while written and directed by Stephen Sommers. Various locals while shooting in Egypt warned the crew about the Curse of the Mummy. The Curse of the Mummy afflicted the film shoot in the New York museum, causing set-pieces to collapse, some people to encounter mummies, and for people to be locked inside of porta-potties. Various members of the crew used the Medjai symbol to protect themselves.

When actor Brendan Fraser took the Med-Jai symbol from an assistant production-assistant named Reggie, Imhotep and his mummy followers bound Reggie in mummy wrapping. Around this time, various guests went on a tour of the museum and film-set inside of vehicles, only to encounter the bound Reggie warning them. Imhotep and various undead mummies then attempted to attack the guests to kill them and steal their souls. Along the way, Imhotep killed a ride-attendant. The guests were able to escape by passing through gates depicting the symbol of the Medjai. After this, Imhotep and/or one of his mummy henchmen brought Brendan Fraser a coffee before attacking him.

## Appearances

### Revenge of the Mummy

The Museum is facade and setting for this attraction.

### Sahara Traders

Sahara Traders is Revenge of the Mummy's gift-shop, referenced as selling souvenirs for the museum within the ride's continuity. Various props elaborate on the museum's history within.

### Tribute Store

The bulletin board in the 2023 Holiday Tribute Store had brochures for the museum.

## Trivia

* The location's name may be inspired by the Cairo Museum of Antiquities which Evelyn worked at in *The Mummy* (1999).
* The address 1203 Harryhausen Drive is a tribute to legendary animator Ray Harryhausen (1920-2013) who provided stop-motion special-effects for various monster movies.
* Locations in the brochure for the museum reference different monster movies. There is Egypt (The Mummy), Transylvania (Dracula), Iping (the Invisible Man), the Bavarian Alps (Frankenstein). Wales (The Wolfman), and Paris (The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Phantom of the Opera and Murders in the Rue Morgue).
* The Living Mummy exhibit replacing the Skull Island exhibition is a reference to how Revenge of the Mummy replaced Kongfrontation.
* Dr. Carl Maia is a character from *The Creature from the Black Lagoon* (1954) while M. Shelley is a tribute to historic *Frankenstein* author Mary Shelley (1797- 1851), who was also a character in *The Bride of Frankenstein* (1935).
* In Florida's version of the ride, there is a golden sculpture of a gorilla and a hieroglyphic banana referencing King Kong and Kongfrontation. In California, there is an E.T. sculpture.
* The museum has a display dedicated to the 1932 film *The Mummy* starring Boris Karloff.

## References

1. ↑ "Est. 1923" found on museum logo in posters, banners and brochures
2. ↑ Flyer from Sahara Traders
3. ↑ https://wdwnt.com/2022/01/photos-video-tour-the-full-queue-and-pre-show-video-for-revenge-of-the-mummy-at-universal-studios-florida-2/
4. ↑ https://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/2022/08/01/sahara-traders-hiding-details-about-the-soon-to-reopen-revenge-of-the-mummy-at-universal-studios-florida/
5. ↑ https://wdwnt.com/2022/07/sahara-traders-gets-a-new-look-with-tons-of-amazing-details-and-easter-eggs-ahead-of-revenge-of-the-mummy-reopening-at-universal-studios-florida/
6. ↑ https://wdwnt.com/2023/11/holiday-tribute-store-2023-usf-full-tour/
7. ↑ https://www.uofanguide.com/revenge-of-the-mummy/