Mummies Invade MOSI

News Report

The highly anticipated Mummies of the World exhibition will make its Florida debut at the Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) on Friday, April 27, and will remain on display through Sept. 9.

The exhibition presents a never-before-seen collection of rare mummies from across the world, the first exhibition of its kind to be showcased at MOSI. 

With its astounding collection of 150 specimens and objects, Mummies of the World is the largest exhibition of real human and animal mummies and related artifacts ever assembled. Through modern science and engaging interactive and multimedia exhibits, the exhibition reveals how the scientific study of mummies provides a window into the lives of ancient people, offering unprecedented insights into past cultures and civilizations. It also demonstrates that mummification, both through natural processes and intentional practices, has taken place all over the globe, from the hot desert sands of South America to remote European bogs.

“Mummies of the World will change visitors’ understanding of what mummies are and what can be learned from them,” said Wit Ostrenko, president and CEO of MOSI. “The mummies in this exhibition have been studied using cutting-edge, nondestructive technology to provide insights into lives and cultures of long ago. Modern science truly can shed new lights on very old ideas and MOSI is honored to offer such a perception-changing and thought-provoking collection to the region.”

In addition to the Detmold Child, the rare and ancient objects presented in Mummies of the World include the Vac Mummies, a mummified family from Hungary believed to have died from tuberculosis; the Baron von Holz, a German nobleman found tucked away in the family crypt of a 14th-century castle wearing his best leather boots; an ancient Peruvian woman naturally mummified in the warm desert air, with mysterious tattoos on her face and chest and long black hair intact; and a howler monkey from Argentina, with its fierce expression and adorned with a feather skirt and headdress.

This exhibition will mark the fifth stop of Mummies of the World’s seven-city tour. Mummies of the World premiered to sell-out crowds at the California Science Center in Los Angeles in July 2010. Its debut at the Milwaukee Public Museum to record-breaking crowds, and its opening at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia attracted visitors from all 50 states and more than 20 countries within just one month of opening. Prior to its opening in Charlotte, the exhibition had sold more than 18,000 tickets.

Due to the exhibition’s popularity across the nation, reservations are highly recommended. Mummies of the World is a timed-entry exhibition, so before making a purchase, visitors will be asked to select the date and time of their visit. MOSI will be offering special packages that include regular admission and Mummies of the World, as well as a Mummies of the World-only tickets. For ticket pricing and reservations, call 813-987-6000.