by Sam Farmerie, Westminster College Curator of Cultural Artifacts (724) 946-7053 (02/12/03)

It has been about a year since my last communication. In that time I have settled in and reacquainted myself with the routine at the Mack Science Library.

While I have been relaxing, several additions have been made to display areas on campus. My medical report has been posted on the display case and a replica of my stele stands at my feet. Just around the corner is an illuminated view box showcasing my X-rays. They are back lighted by florescent tubes which are activated by a motion sensor. The infirmities noted in the medical report are clearly visible. While I shy away from revealing my inner feelings I have no aversions about students viewing my skeleton.

In a display case near my feet are several mummified animals. In historic Egyptian times these would be sold by priests to religious pilgrims and ultimately left as votive offerings in temples. Debased priests are apparently not unique to modern America. The X-rays reveal that one of the mummified falcons may be fraudulent. Those dastardly priests were deceiving the pilgrims.

Since I am not ambulatory I am unable to see the other new display that deals with Egypt. In the lobby of the McGill Library is an exhibit focused on that versatile plant which flourishes along the banks of the Nile, papyrus. There are some fragments of papyrus with Greek inscriptions. There are also replicas and photographs of ancient tomb art on papyrus.
In the late 1950s anthropologist Thor Hyerdahl built a papyrus boat for trans-Atlantic passage to prove that the ancient Egyptians could have crossed the ocean. Included in this display are pieces of papyrus stem that were collected at the site where his boat, the 'Ra,' was built.

Pesed

For more information click here: http://www.westminster.edu/News/comm_site/news/2000-2001/MummyTravel.html