Brooklyn Museum
May 1, 2015
Last week we talked about how an
x-ray uncovered a misconception of a mummified animal which was originally thought to be an Ibis. In the past week, an additional specialist has assessed the unknown bird mummy. Paul Sweet, the Collection Manager of the
Department of Ornithology at the American Museum of National History, agreed with the veterinarians that the skeleton is a falcon. Sweet specifically noted the morphology of the skull; “it has a large orbit and a short upper mandible with a hooked tip.” Despite its size, the animal may not have been a young bird, as several species of small falcons were common in Egypt. Sweet explained that an accurate identification of the species would require precise measurements of the long bones, which is not currently possible with this object.
The Brooklyn Museum has a second confirmed falcon mummy. Though the wrappings are distinct, the similarities between the skeletons are clear. Having trouble visualizing the bird while alive? This bronze coffin is topped with a stylized falcon and also contains falcon remains.
Posted by Kate Becker
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