A Most Unusual Parade! A Parade of Mummies(Using the News in the Classroom)

A most unusual parade in Cairo, Egypt, happened on Saturday, to honor 22 very important mummies(18 kings and 4 queens), including Ramses 2 and Queen Hatshepsut ( first female ruler of ancient Egypt).

The royal mummies, dating back more than 3000 years in age, made their way through the streets, at sunset, each in specially made golden colored carriages, with their names spelled out in Arabic , English and Hieroglyphics.

The processional started with the oldest first, to the youngest mummy. Each mummy was placed in nitrogen capsules for protection and special shock absorbers were installed on the vehicles to prevent a bumpy ride.

The parade, called the “Pharaohs’ Golden Parade”  started with a 21 gun salute to honor the famous mummies. War chariots, pulled by horses were also part of the parade escorting the mummies to their new home. Military music was also played during the parade. Due to the Covid virus, spectators were asked to watch on television and not attend the parade route. The mummies were given the special parade to move from their current resident at the Egyptian Museum to the new National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. Photograph from egyptfwd.org

Your Turn:

1. What do you know about mummies?

2. What do you think of the idea of having a parade for the mummies?

Mummies Fun Facts! 

Perhaps, you’ve seen a mummy in a museum, read a book about mummies, or watched a scary movie about mummies. Learn some interesting facts about mummies!

1. Some mummies, male and female, were buried with extra hair wigs.

2. Mummies of pharoahs (kings) had onions place in the eye sockets for eyes.

3. Some mummies were wrapped in 20 layers of linen. 

4. The oldest mummies are not Egyptian. Found in what is now Chile and Peru, the Chinchorro mummies date to 5000 BC.(Egyptians date back to 2500 BC).

5. The Takla Makan Mummies are 3000 year old mummies found in China. Interestingly, their features are NOT Chinese!

6. Egyptians didn’t just mummify people.Mummified gerbils, birds, cats, dogs, fish, snakes, baboons, crocodile, hippo and even a lion have been found!

7 .During the 70 day mummification process, ancient Egyptians removed the brain through the nostrils using a hook shaped instrument. Believing it had no value, the brain was thrown away. 

8. The center of intelligence and caring, the ancient Egyptians kept the heart, wrapping it and replacing it back into the mummy. Other organs were placed in special containers called canopic jars.

9. Believing mummies had healing powers, for almost 500 years, mummies were ground up and used to treat stomach aches and other ailments. Yuck! 

10. During Victorian times, mummies being unwrapped after dinner was popular entertainment for the guests!

11. Believing you could take possessions into the next life, King Tut was found with licorice root, watermelon seeds as well as chariots, games, weapons and furniture and a change of underwear.

12. One mummy actually has a passport!  When Ramses 2 went from Egypt to France, for his mummy to be studied, a passport was issued! 

Extension Activities:

1. If you were a mummy, what are 5 things you’d pack away for the afterlife. Why would you place these items in your tomb?

2. Draw/color a mummy coffin. Write 5 facts learned about mummies on your drawing in complete sentence form.

3. Write a day in the life of a mummy on display in a museum. What do you hear? See? Smell? Feel? 

4. Do you think mummies should be on display in a museum or be left in their tomb? Write a persuasive paragraph on your position. Include at least 2 reasons for your position.

Great Resources:

Lots of interesting information about mummies!

Interactive video on mummy making-lots of mummies are shown!

Game to learn about the mummy maker!

Watch a short video clip of Ramses 2 mummy from the Cairo Museum.(1.17 minutes)

Lots of information on  Mummies.

Other Resources of Interest:

1.King Tut: Learn lots of fun facts about mummies and specifically the discovery of King Tut's tomb with this play based on the To Tell the Truth Game Show Format. To Tell the Truth was a popular television show which has returned with host Anthony Anderson(of Blackish). Three guests all claim to be the real guest being interviewed by a panel. The real guest must tell the truth where the other imposters do not have to do so. Kids must be "truth detectives" to determine just who is the REAL King Tut. Directions and a suggested YouTube Clip to show the idea of the game, comprehension questions, discussion questions and extension activities(and resources) are included. PLAY on KING TUT

2. Mummies aren't just found in ancient Egyptian culture. Mummies have been found all over the world! In fact, the oldest man-made mummies are  found in the country of Chile! Mummies can be naturally created or man-made. This web quest includes the different types of mummies and has 12 web questions including information on Bog Mummies such as Tollund Man, the Inca Mummies,the Taklamakan Desert Mummies of China, Otzi, the frozen mummy, the Chinchorro Mummies of Chile, the Egyptian mummies... and more. There are comprehension questions, a Did You Know? section, a teacher section with extension activities, additional links and the key. Great for a Friday activity, at Halloween time, or if you are studying ancient Egypt. WEBQUEST on MUMMIES

Gail Hennessey