The Science Center’s ancient Egyptian mummy and sarcophagus (coffin) made their way to America for the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair and have been exhibited in Louisville since the 1920s. Although the Science Center is lucky to have such a valuable ancient Egyptian artifact, its presence has brought more questions than answers.

Medical and historical information indicate that the mummy has traits indicating it is a female, but craniometrics of the skull suggest that it may be male. The sarcophagus itself adds another layer to the mummy’s mysterious identity. A number, 221, on the side of the coffin, has been traced back to the legendary Valley of the Queens and belonged to a person, Tchaenhotep. However, records from the excavation site do not necessarily indicate that this particular mummy belonged in this particular coffin.

To investigate the mysteries behind the mummy and the accompanying sarcophagus visit the Discovery Gallery on the second floor of the Science Center.