Mummy Mysteries

Animal ghosts

Mummy Mysteries is a chance to immerse yourself in the mysterious world of animal mummies. When we think of mummies, our thoughts quickly travel to ancient Egypt. Yet mummies are also found closer to home. Mummy Mysteries explores a fascinating and interesting subject – one that is easier to unravel than you may think.

Mummies of pharaohs are a well-known practice of ancient Egypt. But did you know that two thousand years ago it was also common for animals to be mummified? Cats, ibises and crocodiles were carefully embalmed and wrapped in strips of cloth as sacred animals, pets, gifts to the gods or food for the person who had died. These creatures were deliberately mummified by humans to preserve their bodies for eternity.

Animal mummies have also been discovered in Friesland. Many are animals that were accidentally preserved by natural processes. The collection on display at Natuurmuseum Fryslân includes several naturally mummified animals: a cat found in a crawl space, a rat hidden behind wallpaper, and a dried bat discovered in a vase years after it died.

This fascinating exhibition features both mummies from ancient Egypt, which were deliberately preserved, and accidental mummies found in Friesland. Visitors will gain answers to questions such as: How does mummification work? And what were the reasons for mummifying animals? We also unravel the secrets of how animals are prepared today and why this is done.

The exhibition will run from 22 November 2025 to 22 November 2026.