Contributions of Mummy Science to Public Perception of the Past

Abstract

From Tutankhamun’s curse to the mystery that surrounds Ötzi’s murder, the public is drawn to stories about mummies. Why mummies are so fascinating is a complex question, but part of the answer may lie in our tendency to resocialize mummies—our scientific investigations lead to the reconstruction of their social identities, often revealing fine and sometimes intimate details. In the process, our research becomes more accessible and interesting to the public. What is often overlooked, however, is how this research can connect to broader anthropological themes, such as embodiment, identity, and social bodies. This chapter attempts to demonstrate how we can harness this fascination and engage more directly with the public by asking different questions. To illustrate this, I discuss three different areas of mummy research (tattooing, Tutankhamun, and disease) that tend to generate considerable public interest. I then discuss how we may be able to reframe research questions and the resulting narratives, leading to a more publically engaged mummy science.