The secret of ancient mummies is exposed

From an exquisitely decorated Egyptian sarcophagus to an intact body of a monkey wearing a skirt . a new exhibition in Los Angeles, USA, reveals the oldest mysteries of mummies.

>> Photos of ancient mummies in the exhibition

The baby's mummy is Johannes Orlovitz, who died at the age of 1.My outfit was recreated from the cloths I was buried with.Photo: KPA.

The exhibition, "Mummies of the World", opened on July 1, at the California Science Center, is considered the largest mummy exhibit in history. It opens a new view of ancient funeral rituals and the work of mummification experts.

The exhibition features dozens of mummies of men, women, children and animals, collected from all parts of the world - some marinated, some preserved naturally - as well as a treasure. archaeological creatures.

The idea of ​​the exhibition came after it was discovered that 20 forgotten mummies are covered in dust in the 2004 Reiss Engelhorn Museum in Mannheim, Germany.

More than 20 facilities in Europe contributed artifacts to the exhibition. They will be introduced throughout the United States within three years.

"The exhibition highlights an ingenious combination of science and history," AFP quoted Jeffrey Rudolph, president of the California Science Center. "It is great evidence that science can help us better understand both the past and the present, and how nature and culture can work together all over the world. ".

The exhibition also introduces the techniques used to gather information from mummies, such as gene analysis technology, carbon dating, magnetic resonance imaging.

These techniques allow scientists to understand the internal organs, health, food and cause of the mummies, as well as their life, history and culture, Albert Zink, Director Director of the Mummy Institute and iceman in Bolzano, Italy, said.

According to Zink, these mummies not only have historical value but also have useful applications for the present. "What we learn from mummies can help scientists eliminate deadly diseases in the future."

The exhibition also aims to clarify that mummification is a global activity and not just concentrated in ancient Egypt as many people believe. "We have scientific evidence that the embalming originated in South America, before Egypt," said Heather Gill-Frerking, director of science and education of the exhibition.