Menu
Hit enter to search or ESC to close
Collections Menu
  • Collections Home
  • Visit Us
  • What’s On
  • Museums
  • Collections
  • Learning & Engagement
  • Resources & Research
  • Search the Collections
  • Join & Support
  • Contact
  • ETON COLLEGE
  • PARENT PORTAL
  • EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
  • THE TONY LITTLE CENTRE (CIRL)
  • ETONX
  • COLLEGE COLLECTIONS
  • OEA ONLINE
  • FACILITIES FOR HIRE
What’s On
  • Exhibitions
  • Museum and Gallery Openings
  • Events
  • Heritage Tours
  • Online Exhibitions
  • Past Exhibitions
Back
Museums
  • Museum of Antiquities
  • Museum of Eton Life
  • Natural History Museum
Back
Collections
  • Archives
  • College Library
  • Fine and Decorative Art
  • Collections Care
Back
Learning & Engagement
  • Digital Learning Resources
  • Schools
  • Families
  • Colleges and Universities
  • Adult Groups
Back
Resources & Research
  • Search the Collections
  • Blog
  • Online Resources
  • Image Service
  • Loans
  • Research Facilities
Back
Join & Support
  • Friends of the Collections
  • Donate
Back
Contact
  • Contact Details
Back

Home Resources & Research Blog

Conservation of Ancient Egyptian mummification: call the specialist!

15 Feb 2019

Conservation

Conservation of Ancient Egyptian mummification: call the specialist!

Home News & Diary School Blog

Conservation of Ancient Egyptian mummification: call the specialist!

Conservation

A highlight of the popular Antiquities collection at Eton College is the mummification display. Recently we noticed that some of the wrappings on the mummified heads were starting to shed and come loose. To understand why this was happening and to repair the damage we brought in Jenny Mathiasson who specializes in the conservation of antiquities and human remains. Over two days we worked together treating every object in the display. After initial examination of the objects we determined the likely cause of the deterioration was due to extreme changes in the humidity within the case. Organic specimens can react quite violently to humidity changes. This coupled with their age and fragility meant interventive treatment was necessary to stabilize them for the future and prevent the permanent loss of any original material.

The stabilization was carried out in two parts. First, areas of flaking linen wrappings were consolidated and once completed the larger strips of linen could then be relaxed back into their original places and re attached. It was important to work with adhesives that would complement the original materials and to test a variety of strengths until the best solution was found. In our case we chose to use cellulose based adhesives such as 2% methylcellulose in a 50/50 solution of IMS (alcohol) and deionized water and wheat starch paste in deionized water. The methylcellulose adhesive was low tack and could be wicked up easily by the linen so it was ideal for consolidating the flaking edges of the wrappings. The wheat starch paste was higher tack and more viscous so it was ideal for re-adhering the larger strips of linen back in their original positions.

The final stage of the treatment was to re-position the object on their mounts as some had shifted slightly over time. Overall we were able to stabilize three mummified human heads, a mummified falcon, a mummified kitten and two mummified human hands.

To prevent damage like this from reoccurring there is a humidity control system installed within the case, which will keep our mummified objects comfortable for years to come.

A huge thanks to Jenny Mathiasson for her expertise and to David Goode and Hawtrey House for hosting Jenny during her time at Eton.

Aimée Sims

Conservation Steward

TAGS:
antiquities chemistry mummies mummification museum
Back to all blogs
Previous

‘A great sense of mystery and tension’: Sophie Macfadyen responds to Gainsborough’s ‘A Rocky Road with Trees’

06 Feb 2019

Next

Collections Learning: Victorian Children at Eton

18 Mar 2019

Contact Us

Collections Administrator
Eton College Collections
Eton College
Windsor
SL4 6DB

01753 370 590

[email protected]

Quick Links

  • Online Resources
  • Search the Collections
  • Archives
  • College Library
  • Fine and Decorative Art
  • Museum of Antiquities
  • Museum of Eton Life
  • Natural History Museum
  • Collections Care
  • Contact Details
Registered Charity Number 1139086
© Eton College 2025

Web design by TWK