This is the second post of a four part series.

When a collection of Egyptian mummy bandage fragments at the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library was found in an area used to store uncatalogued flat materials, the lab was asked to play a role in providing better stewardship.  

Click the links below to jump to the following posts:

• Research and Examination – Examining the material composition of the objects
• History – Historical information provided about the Egyptian inscriptions
• Treatment – How the materials were treated after learning about their content
• Storage Solutions – Individual solutions for separated fragments as well as storage as a collection

Learning About the Collection

Before coming to the lab, the library knew little about the fragments. So first and foremost, I reached out to a handful of scholars to see if I could glean any information.  I soon found myself engulfed in a journey of discovery with each colleague leading me to a new reference, sharing a collective wealth of knowledge.

History

With generous information provided by colleagues, the library learned the following about the fragments (fragment measurements below are with height and width at the widest points):

This is the center fragment.  It contains Hieroglyphic script, measuring 21 x 23 cm.  It’s part of a 3-piece set that belonged to a priest called Wennofer.  The large scene in the middle belongs to Book of the Dead Spell 110 showing the deceased doing various things in the netherworld.

This is the upper left fragment.  It measures 8 x 14 cm. Script contains images and no preserved text. This is part of the 3-piece set that also belonged to a priest called Wennofer. Images belong to the vignette of Book of the Dead Spell 148. “For making provision for a spirit in the realm of the dead” this spell provides the names of the Bull of Heaven and his seven cows, providing an eternal supply of food and beer.

This is the bottom right fragment.  It contains Hieroglyphic writing and measures approximately 10 x 17 cm, containing a Thoth god image. It’s the final part of the 3-piece set that belonged to a priest called Wennofer. Preserved images are part of the vignette of Book of the Dead Spell 125, the so-called judgement scene.

This is the bottom left fragment containing Hieratic script, however it is oriented upside down. It measures approximately 13 x 12 cm.  There isn’t an owner’s name preserved so we’re unsure if it belongs with any other fragments in this collection. Images contain a shrine column, sections of Book of the Dead Spells 125 and 126, as well as traces of the vignette belonging to Book of the Dead Spell 125.

This is the upper right hieratic fragment with Hieratic script. It measures approximately 9 x 7 cm. There is no owner’s name preserved.

This is the bottom center hieratic fragment measuring 4 x 10 cm, also with no owner’s name preserved and oriented upside down.

Further Reading

Check out this essay for Glencairn Museum News by Dr. Jennifer Houser Wegner to learn more about burial practices and in particular, funerary texts, such as the Book of the Dead.

To learn about how the fragments were treated in preparation for long-term storage, check out the third post of the four-part series: The Treatment

If you missed the earlier installment, you can jump to previous post using the links below (or even skip to the final post on storage):

• Research and Examination – Examining the material composition of the objects
• History – Historical information provided about the Egyptian inscriptions
• Treatment – How the materials were treated after learning about their content
• Storage Solutions – Individual solutions for separated fragments as well as storage as a collection

Acknowledgements

• Katherine Davis, Lecturer in Egyptology in the Department of Middle East Studies at the University of Michigan
• Suzanne Davis, the Associate Curator and Head of Conservation at the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology at the University of Michigan
• Dr. Ann-Katril Gill at the University of Leipzig
• Marieka Kaye, Harry A. and Margaret D. Towsley Foundation, Head, Conservation & Book Repair, University of Michigan Library
• Obie Linn, Textile Conservator at the Cincinnati Art Museum
• Ann Wuertemberger, Catalog Librarian at the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library
• Meredith Montague, Textile Conservator at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston

Ashleigh Ferguson Schieszer – Special Collections Conservator and Co-Lab Manager [CHPL]