Expert criticises mummy cover-up

Bob Partridge feel the decision is misplaced (pic: MEN Syndication)

A museum's decision to cover up its mummies could damage its academic credibility, an expert has warned.

Cloths have been wrapped around three of Manchester Museum's exhibits while it debates the ethics of displaying human remains in its collection.

The museum, part of the University of Manchester, said it followed complaints from a "significant minority".

But Bob Partridge, of the Manchester Ancient Egypt Society, told the BBC the decision was "incomprehensible".

The unwrapped mummy of Asru, the partially-wrapped mummy of Khary, and a child mummy were all covered up a few weeks ago.

On its website, the museum said the covering was carried out so the bodies were "treated with respect" and keep the display in line with its human remains policy.

Mr Partridge, an expert on Ancient Egypt, told the BBC: "The Manchester Museum is liable to lose its academic credibility by the actions taken.

The majority of the comments have been that we shouldn't cover them up Nick Merriman, director of Manchester Museum Museum's mummies covered up

"It was the first in the world to scientifically examine its mummies and to display them sensitively as real people with real lives and interesting stories to tell.

"Museums in the UK and all around the world are still following this example today.

"If unwrapped mummies are not on display, then the public's 'knowledge' of the appearance of mummies, is likely to be the bandage-dripping, vengeful monsters portrayed in films."

The museum is currently engaged in a public consultation about the ethics of displaying human remains.

But museum director Nick Merriman has admitted the decision was taken even though the majority of visitors believe they should not be covered.

Speaking on Wednesday, Mr Merriman said: "We're responding to a significant minority of our visitors who question the public value and educational value of unwrapped mummies.

"The majority of the comments have been that we shouldn't cover them up."

Mr Partridge is one of several people to have to have criticised the museum's decision.

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