Lifting the lid — the lost story of an extraordinary Egyptian coffin revealed

Big Ideas

A wooden sarcophogas is sold in a Cairo market in the 1800s, transported to Australia, and held in a University of Sydney collection. It remains closed for over a century. And then scientists opened its lid. What happened next? Two leading Australian Egyptologists join Natasha Mitchell to consider the ethics, history, and science of a quest to understand life and death in Ancient Egypt and get a glimpse into one woman's world over 2500 years ago. But is it really Mer-Neith-It-Es?

This event was presented by the Australian Museum as part of the Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaoh's exhibition. Thanks to Liz Young, Narelle Lewis, and the museum team.

Original broadcast on April 10, 2024.

Speakers

Ronika PowerEgyptologist and Professor of BioarchaeologyDirector, Centre for Ancient Cultural Heritage and EnvironmentMacquarie University

Dr Constance (Conni) LordEgyptologistChau Chak Wing Museum, University of Sydney

Further information:

The Australian Museum

The Mummy Project, University of Sydney

Uncovering the secrets of Ancient Egypt (University of Sydney)

Human remains research project

The Mummy Project at the Chau Chak Wing Museum (Sydney University Press eBooks, 2022)