Exhibition: Wrapped (Washington, US)

Washington State Historical Society

Wrapped! The Search for the Essential Mummy takes visitors on a journey into the ancient beliefs and traditions that answer the ageless questions: "Why do mummies exist?" and "What can ancient objects tell us about who these people were and how they lived?"

This exhibit features the story of noted Tacoma businessman Allen C. Mason and his travels to Egypt in the late 19th century, which resulted in the purchase of the mummy of Ankh-Wennefer, also known as "the WSHS Mummy." Mason donated Ankh-Wennefer’s mummy to the Historical Society in 1897. The mummy and its heavily decorated coffins have been the subject of much study over the decades, with the most recent work being done by Dr. Elias and the Akhmim Mummy Studies Consortium. Tacoma General Hospital worked with the Society to have high-resolution scans made of the mummy which were used to create a forensic portrait of the late Ankh-Wennefer.

Wrapped! showcases more than 250 artifacts, including 18th- and 19th-century engravings, ancient amulets, kitten mummies, and coffin cases.