Fury as museum bosses cover up naked Egyptian mummies to protect 'sensitivities' of visitors
Last updated at 19:44pm on 21.05.08
The last time they had the chance to offend anyone was 2,700 years ago when they were wandering around ancient Egypt.
Since then the mummies have led a blameless existence, spending the last 120 years in a museum where countless thousands of visitors have managed to see them without anyone becoming in the least bit upset.
Not any longer, it appears.
BEFORE: Asru, a 2,700-year-old chantress with Egyptologist Rosalie David

AFTER: Bob Partridge, chairman of the Manchester Ancient Egypt Society, has described the decision to cover up the mummies as 'Incomprehensible'
Complaints have led to the naked remains of Asru, a chantress at the Temple of Amun in Karnak, plus the partially-wrapped male Khary and a child mummy, all being covered in shrouds to protect their modesty.
The decision, which has prompted wholesale derision, came after Manchester Museum said it had received 'feedback' from the public saying it was 'insensitive to display unwrapped mummies'.
Having ordered the cover up, managers claim they are following Government policy and are carrying out a public consultation.
Last night the museum, whose Egyptian department has a worldwide reputation, was accused of being ridiculous and told it risked becoming a 'laughing stock'.
Naked truth: Mummies at Manchester Museum are being covered up after visitors complained about them being displayed 'naked'
Bob Partridge, chairman of the Manchester Ancient Egypt Society, said the cover-up was 'absolutely incomprehensible'.
'The mummies have always been sensitively displayed and have been educational and informative to generations of visitors.
"We are shocked this has been done in advance of any results from the public."
Josh Lennon, a museum visitor, said: "This is preposterous. Surely people realise that if they go to see Egyptian remains some of them may not be dressed in their best bib and tucker.
"The museum response to complaints is pure Monty Python - they have now covered them from head to foot rendering the exhibition a non-exhibition. It is hilarious."
Manchester Museum has several mummies - embalmed bodies tightly wrapped in cotton bandages - and is home to one of the most important collections in Britain.
George Mutter, a professor at Harvard medical school in the U.S. said: "For decades the Manchester Museum has been a leader in the scientific study of human mummies.
"The decision to hide the mummies from view is a step backwards."
He added: "In the interest of inclusiveness, the museum has become a playground for those who do not understand the subject at hand, nor respect the interests of scientists and public alike."
But the museum's Nick Merriman said: "We get a stream of feedback saying it is insensitive to display unwrapped mummies.
"We are trying to follow Government guidelines about how they should be displayed with respect and sensitivity."
<p>If the public wanted the mummies unwrapped, the museum would take that "very seriously'," he added.
Reader views (6)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
Why are there Egyptian mummies in Manchester in the first place? I'm sure that these ancient Egyptians would not be very happy if they knew their corpses were on display to the public in a museum! Let the ancient Egyptians rest in peace...
- Baher Ashour, Cairo, Egypt
It appears that it isn't only the mummies that had their brains mashed up to mush pulled out their noses!
- Derek, scarborough,uk
"Manchester Museum said it had received 'feedback' from the public saying it was 'insensitive to display unwrapped mummies"
What a load of hogwash, my god what is this country coming to!
What feedback? Who complained more feedback please!
- Katie, Perth
Common sense has been dismissed along with brains.
- Rich, San Angelo USA
I think the article has misrepresented the story: as I see it the issue is the alleged insensitivity of displaying corpses, not simply the fact that they are naked.
- Lmd, London
I assume the next step will be for the Greeks to begin requiring nude male statues wear swim trunks or female statues to wear summer dresses? Isn't the point when going to see the mummies to actually SEE the mummies. Anyone can look at a sheet. It's beyond comprehension how some fools think.
- J A Shlosser, San Jose, USA
Morning:
18°c

Johnny Depp has become, in his young middle age, like a star of the movies’ golden period




