Ancient Egyptian Mummy Pa-Sheri Undergoes Vital Conservation Work

A **2,300-year-old** Egyptian mummy named **Pa-Sheri** is currently undergoing essential conservation efforts at the **University of Lincoln**. This initiative is part of a broader project aimed at preserving and repairing the mummified remains, which date back to around **300 BCE** during Egypt’s **Ptolemaic period**. Pa-Sheri has been part of the **Derby Museums** collection since at least **1859**, but his condition necessitated specialized treatment.

Pa-Sheri’s mummy features intricately painted cartonnage and a gilded mask, indicating he held a position of high social standing in ancient **Luxor**. Historical practices of the **19th century** often involved unwrapping mummies for examination, and Pa-Sheri appears to have been subjected to this invasive treatment. His head, pelvis, and parts of his limbs were removed, with his arm bones rearranged within his chest cavity. The museum later concealed this alteration until recent **X-ray** examinations revealed the extent of the damage.

Conservation Efforts and Student Involvement

Students from the **Conservation of Cultural Heritage** program, including **Ella Maude** and **Ella Monteiro**, are actively involved in the preservation of Pa-Sheri along with guidance from senior technician **Josephine Mackenzie**. This project is funded by the **Pilgrim Trust**, reflecting a commitment to cultural preservation.

The conservation team adopts a minimal intervention approach, focusing on stabilizing areas of damage while maintaining the integrity of Pa-Sheri’s unique post-mortem history. Their efforts will involve consolidating flaking plaster and paint layers, cleaning fragile surfaces using gentle techniques, and replacing the aged supports beneath the mummy’s mask with more durable materials.

Ella Maude expressed her feelings about the project, stating, “Working on Pa-Sheri has been a very personal and humbling experience. His journey has been long, and to conserve him is to become a part of his story.” She emphasized the importance of preserving his legacy and ensuring that his narrative continues to be shared with the world.

Discoveries and Historical Insights

The conservation project is shedding light not only on ancient craftsmanship but also on the Victorian-era practices that have affected Pa-Sheri’s condition. Through advanced techniques such as polarized light microscopy and **UV light analysis**, the team has identified vibrant pigments, including **Egyptian Blue**, orpiment yellow, and various ochres. These findings highlight the materials and methods used during Pa-Sheri’s time, as well as the interventions he underwent in the 19th century.

Josephine Mackenzie remarked on the significance of the project, stating, “This project has offered the students a unique opportunity to engage with a complex conservation challenge. Pa-Sheri represents a rare case study, illuminating not only the materials and techniques of his period but also the evolving history of collecting and conservation practices.”

Mackenzie further noted the responsibility of the team to treat Pa-Sheri’s remains with the utmost respect, acknowledging both his original cultural context and the ways his narrative has been reframed over the centuries. “By adopting a careful, minimal-intervention approach, we safeguard the object’s integrity while retaining the evidence of its lengthy historical journey.”

Upon completion of the conservation work, Pa-Sheri will return to **Derby Museums**, where he will be displayed alongside another mummified individual, enriching the museum’s collection and providing visitors with a deeper understanding of ancient Egyptian history.

**Laura Phillips**, head of curatorship at Derby Museums, expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration with the University of Lincoln. She stated, “It has been a pleasure continuing our long-term partnership with the team and students at Lincoln. Arranging the appropriate care for Pa-Sheri is a challenge, and while this essential conservation takes place, we know he is in safe and caring hands.”

Through these efforts, both the university and Derby Museums are committed to enhancing public understanding of ancient cultures while offering students valuable experience in conservation practices. As their work continues, the story of Pa-Sheri will endure, reminding future generations of the rich tapestry of history that he represents.