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Takabuti the mummy goes to Ulster Museum

STOP PRESS... This news story has been updated as Ulster Museum re-opened on October 22 2009.

Takabuti, a very famous mummy, is now in Ulster Museum, Northern Ireland.

Takabuti has been in storage for two and a half years whilst waiting for her new home.

Showing two women looking at an Egyptian mummy which is on display in a museum.

This is a photo of Takabuti. She's in a glass case specially made to preserve her for years to come.

She is from the 7th century BC, which makes her nearly 3000 years old!

Picture courtesy Ulster Museum

Takabuti will be on display with other Egyptian findings.

Did you know it was usually only special people who were wrapped up when they died to preserve them? This is called 'mummification'. The wrappings were applied to the dead person as a mark of respect.

So how were scientists able to find out Takabuti's name?

Well, Takabuti's mummified body was brought to Belfast from Thebes in the Nile Valley, by Thomas Greg.

And when she was unwrapped, on January 27, 1835, a clever scientist called Reverend Dr Edward Hincks was able to work out from the Egyptian writing found with her (called 'hieroglyphs'), that her name was Takabuti and that she was between 20 and 30 years old and quite rich.


Here in the photo, you can see some of Takabuti's skin and bones that have been preserved by the bandages she was wrapped in.



Picture courtesy Ulster Museum

 Showing a woman in a white lab coat looking down at an Egyptian mummy on display.

Showing a CAT scan of a boy mummy. The skeleton is very clear.



If you are interested in finding out about how scientists investigate mummies' bones, take a look at some
amazing CT scans of a young boy mummy.


Picture © University of Oxford

Want to find out more about mummies? Take a look at our
Show Me the mummies in UK museums.

By the way, have you heard of the youngest and most famous Egyptian pharaoh? His name is Tutankhamun and he was only nine years old when he ruled Egypt!


How about some great Egyptian online games from UK museums?

Try and Escape From The Mummy's Tomb! without getting trapped forever... a scary adventure from National Museums Liverpool.


Screenshot courtesy National Museums Liverpool

 Showing colourful cartoon drawings of a mummy and archaeologist againts a faded map background.

Showing a colourful cartoon image of an Egyptian mummy all bandaged up.



Are you brave enough for Journey Into A Mummy from Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery for Kids?


Screenshot courtesy BM&AG for Kids




Will you survive the 'Underworld Challenge' with the British Museum?


Screenshot courtesy British Museum

 Showing a picture of an Egyptian in the Underworld against a background wall of hieroglyphs.

Don't forget - we LOVE getting your emails and artwork, so if you have been to see a mummy, tell us what you thought. Get In Touch!