Australian highschool library has mummified Egyptian head

July 5, 2023 10:39 PM

This Australian high school's human head and a mysterious note pose questions about ancient Egypt. With mystery surrounding its origins, the mummified head poses all sorts of questions about the past.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries (10 comments total)

Come for yet another story about Australians being disrespectful about human remains, but stay for the awesome pic of the wallaby in front of the pyramids!
posted by pompomtom at 11:54 PM on July 5, 2023 [3 favorites]

We were deprived, our high school had to take field trips to the Rosicrucian Museum in order to quizzically contemplate mysteriously-located mummies.
posted by rhizome at 12:37 AM on July 6, 2023 [5 favorites]

Hey, this was also published on the June 27th "Stuff The British Stole" podcast!

Marc Fennell hosts the show and was one of the story's authors. I love listening to him.
posted by wenestvedt at 5:58 AM on July 6, 2023 [3 favorites]

Given that Egyptian mummies were ground up for use as fertilizer and paint, this isn't as surprising or shocking as it should be.
posted by tommasz at 6:58 AM on July 6, 2023 [2 favorites]

So what now for the head that sits in Grafton High School’s library?

you can try to avoid poetry but sometimes it catches up with you
posted by chavenet at 7:02 AM on July 6, 2023 [5 favorites]

‘I’m reporting your behaviour to the Head’ takes on a whole new meaning.
posted by Phanx at 7:55 AM on July 6, 2023 [4 favorites]

Sheesh, you really have to scroll to get to the head.
posted by amanda at 10:28 AM on July 6, 2023

So what now for the head that sits in Grafton High School’s library?

Have you seen Better Call Saul?
posted by kirkaracha at 10:48 AM on July 6, 2023

I wish I had gone to a high school where history was taught by a mummified head posing questions about the past. My AP History teacher was just the track coach. Had a body and everything, booooring.
posted by q*ben at 11:20 AM on July 6, 2023 [7 favorites]

Fascinating, thanks!

....not challenging the experts who dated the mummy to Ptolemaic times or anything, but curious to hear more since the article says it was based on its "not uncommon" gold leaf and I recall that the oldest non-royal mummy (4,300 yrs. young!) was discovered earlier this year, also with a gold leaf wrapping.
posted by airing nerdy laundry at 12:15 PM on July 6, 2023