Shrunken heads were prepared and worn by the victor of a battle, believing the victim’s power would then be transferred to that victor. Popular in the mid-19th century, shrunken heads were a collectible which became so popular that Europeans created replica shrunken heads from unclaimed bodies. (American Exhibitions, Inc.)

SANTA ANA, CA.- The nationally recognized Mummies of the World: The Exhibition made its debut at the Bowers Museumon March 18, 2016. The exhibition features more than 150 artifacts, real human and animal mummies from across the globe. 

With over 1.4 million visitors experiencing Mummies of the World to date, the display at Bowers Museum is the first time the exhibit has been to Orange County. As the largest exhibition of real mummies and related artifacts ever assembled, the exhibit provides a window into the lives of ancient people from every region of the world including Europe, South America and Ancient Egypt, offering unprecedented insights into past cultures and civilizations.

Shrunken heads were prepared and worn by the victor of a battle, believing the victim’s power would then be transferred to that victor. Popular in the mid-19th century, shrunken heads were a collectible which became so popular that Europeans created replica shrunken heads from unclaimed bodies. (American Exhibitions, Inc.)

Through modern science, Mummies of the World demonstrates how mummification can take place through natural and intentional practices. Included in the collection are the Vac Mummies, a mummified family from Hungary believed to have died from tuberculosis; the Baron Von Holz, a German nobleman found tucked away in the family crypt of a 14th century castle wearing his best leather boots; Egyptian animal mummies including a falcon, a fish, a dog and a baby crocodile, many of which were deliberately preserved to accompany royals for eternity; as well as MUMAB, the first replication of Egyptian mummification done on a decedent body in 2800 years; and much more.

Johannes Orlovits, the son of Michael and Veronica Orlovits, was born in 1800 and died just one year later. Although the suffering of this young family is tragic, scientific studies have helped us understand the evolution and spread of tuberculosis. The gown and bonnet he is wearing are replicas of the original clothes in which he was buried. (American Exhibitions, Inc.)

“When we first learned about the impressive mummies in this exhibition, we knew we had to bring it to Santa Ana," said Peter Keller, President of Bowers Museum. "Mummies of the World is an incredible glimpse into the fascinating mummification process that occurs in nature and the history of science, anatomy and medicine. This stunning collection has so much to teach us about people and cultures that once thrived. The Bowers is honored to bring such an exciting, unique and educational experience to Orange County for the first time.” 

These photos show a Mundrucu trophy head, which the men of the Mundrucu tribe made from the heads of their enemies who had been defeated in battle (On loan from: Buffalo Museum of Science); the Vanuatu Overmodeled Skull (as shown in PR 16); A skull of an adult male with preserved hair and an elaborate headdress from Lomas, Peru (On loan from: San Diego Museum of Man); and two wrapped heads from ancient Egypt. (American Exhibitions, Inc.)

Mummies of the World tells the story of the mummies through state-of-the-art multimedia, hands-on interactive stations and cutting-edge 3-D animation taking visitors on a 4,500-year journey to explore the mummies’ history and origins as well as how they were created through both intentional and natural processes. Using CT scans, researchers have determined that prior to death many of the mummies showed evidence of various ailments and illnesses, some of them endemic among families. 

The Baroness Schenck von Geiern is another naturally preserved mummy found at Sommersdorf Castle and tests show that she is a direct ancestor of the von Crailsheim family. Research using CT scanning is in progress to determine how old she was when she died, searching for evidence of disease or injury, and possibly uncovering the cause of her death. (American Exhibitions, Inc.)

“We are excited to bring Mummies of the World to Santa Ana,” said Marcus Corwin, president of American Exhibitions, Inc. “Most people think mummies come from Egypt and are wrapped, but mummies come from all over the world. The exhibition is changing centuries-old perceptions about what the general public thinks about mummies and providing insight into the lives and cultures of these ancient people. Inside every mummy is a story waiting to be told, and Mummies of the World is here to tell those stories.”

The hieroglyphs of this beautiful sarcophagus tell us that it was made for a woman of wealth, likely more than 2,000 years old. Made by imported Lebanese cedar planks and joined with wooden dowels, decorated with columns of hieroglyphs, which are flanked on both sides with images of the four sons of Horus - from top to bottom: Hapy the baboon, Qebehsenuef the falcon, Duamutef the jackal, and finally Imsety the human-headed god. (American Exhibitions, Inc.) 

This naturally-mummified young woman, who was about 18 to 21 years old when she die and is approximately 550 years old, based on the dating of the archaeological site. Data from a CT scan of the young woman are being studied to help determine whether she had any evidence of disease or injury, and to try to determine a cause of death. On loan from: San Diego Museum of Man. (American Exhibitions, Inc.)

Named Nes-Min (which means “the one who belongs to Min”), the mummy was a priest in the temple of Min (a fertility god), in the ancient city of Khent-Min (Akhmim).   From a wealthy and influential family, Nes-Min descended from a line of priests who served the Temple of Min. The sarcophagus is constructed from wood and the eyes painted on the lid of the sarcophagus are inlaid with black, white and blue glass. A study of the symbols on the coffin not only gave Nes-Min’s genealogy, but uncover inscriptions listing his important career milestones. (American Exhibitions, Inc.)

As part of the groundbreaking Mummies of the World in Buffalo, Dr. Peter Loud and Dr. Heather Gill-Frerking will perform a “virtual autopsy” on an infant mummy using state-of-the art 3D CT scan technology at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI). (American Exhibitions, Inc.)

As part of the groundbreaking Mummies of the World in Buffalo, Dr. Peter Loud and Dr. Heather Gill-Frerking will perform a “virtual autopsy” on an infant mummy using state-of-the art 3D CT scan technology at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI). (American Exhibitions, Inc.)

Specialists prepare to use endoscopy to examine the mummy of Veronica Orlovits, a naturally-preserved mummy from a church crypt in Vác, Hungary. The mummy is from the 18th century, and there are church records to identify the woman and members of her family who were also buried in the crypt. (American Exhibitions, Inc.)

Specialists prepare to use endoscopy to examine the mummy of Veronica Orlovits, a naturally-preserved mummy from a church crypt in Vác, Hungary. The mummy is from the 18th century, and there are church records to identify the woman and members of her family who were also buried in the crypt. (American Exhibitions, Inc.)

The Baroness Schenck von Geiern is another naturally preserved mummy found at Sommersdorf Castle and tests show that she is a direct ancestor of the von Crailsheim family. Research using CT scanning is in progress to determine how old she was when she died, searching for evidence of disease or injury, and possibly uncovering the cause of her death. (American Exhibitions, Inc.)

This mummy is that of man named Nes-Hor, which means “the one who belongs to Horus”. Horus is the falcon-headed god of hunting and warfare and is a symbol of power. Nes-Hor worked as a priest in the Temple of Min, in the city of Khent-Min (Akhmim). Nes-Hor’s sarcophagus was constructed from wood and shows many patches and repairs made during ancient times. A detailed study of the symbols on the sarcophagus identified Nes-Hor’s name, parents’ names and occupation. (American Exhibitions, Inc.)

Named Nes-Min (which means “the one who belongs to Min”), the mummy was a priest in the temple of Min (a fertility god), in the ancient city of Khent-Min (Akhmim).   From a wealthy and influential family, Nes-Min descended from a line of priests who served the Temple of Min. The sarcophagus is constructed from wood and the eyes painted on the lid of the sarcophagus are inlaid with black, white and blue glass. A study of the symbols on the coffin not only gave Nes-Min’s genealogy, but uncover inscriptions listing his important career milestones. (American Exhibitions, Inc.)

The Baroness Schenck von Geiern is another naturally preserved mummy found at Sommersdorf Castle and tests show that she is a direct ancestor of the von Crailsheim family. Research using CT scanning is in progress to determine how old she was when she died, searching for evidence of disease or injury, and possibly uncovering the cause of her death. (American Exhibitions, Inc.)

The Baroness Schenck von Geiern is another naturally preserved mummy found at Sommersdorf Castle and tests show that she is a direct ancestor of the von Crailsheim family. Research using CT scanning is in progress to determine how old she was when she died, searching for evidence of disease or injury, and possibly uncovering the cause of her death. (American Exhibitions, Inc.)

Michael Orlovits and his wife, Veronica, and son, Johannes, are part of a group of eighteenth century mummies discovered in a long-forgotten church crypt in the town of Vac, Hungary. Born in 1765, Michael died in 1806 at the age of 41. He worked as a miller, grinding grain into flour and is wearing a replica of the original clothing in which he was buried. This cross was found underneath the original clothes when a curator from the Hungarian Museum in Hungary began the scan. (American Exhibitions, Inc.)

The Orlovits family, Michael and Veronica Orlovits and their son, Johannes, were discovered in a long-forgotten crypt in Vac, Hungary. They are an example of naturally preserved mummies, preserved by the cool, dry air and oil from the pine boards used to build their coffins. (American Exhibitions, Inc.)

The Orlovits family, Michael and Veronica Orlovits and their son, Johannes, were discovered in a long-forgotten crypt in Vac, Hungary. They are an example of naturally preserved mummies, preserved by the cool, dry air and oil from the pine boards used to build their coffins. (American Exhibitions, Inc.)

Possibly prepared by a member of one of the Jivaro tribes from Amazonia, the shrunken head is not considered a trophy head from a fallen enemy, but for sale to a collector or tourist. Although the features of this head appear female, scientists have not determined the gender of the specimen. (American Exhibitions, Inc.)

MUMAB (Mummy at the University of Maryland, Baltimore), was a collaborative effort by Egyptologist Bob Brier (Long Island University) and anatomist Ronn Wade (University of Maryland School of Medicine). In 1994, they created a modern-day mummy using a body that was donated to science. The creation of MUMAB answered many questions long-held by researchers and scientists concerning the techniques of ancient Egyptian mummification, some of which are explained in Mummies of the World – The Exhibition. (American Exhibitions, Inc.)

MUMAB (Mummy at the University of Maryland, Baltimore), was a collaborative effort by Egyptologist Bob Brier (Long Island University) and anatomist Ronn Wade (University of Maryland School of Medicine). In 1994, they created a modern-day mummy using a body that was donated to science. The creation of MUMAB answered many questions long-held by researchers and scientists concerning the techniques of ancient Egyptian mummification, some of which are explained in Mummies of the World – The Exhibition. (American Exhibitions, Inc.)

MUMAB (Mummy at the University of Maryland, Baltimore), was a collaborative effort by Egyptologist Bob Brier (Long Island University) and anatomist Ronn Wade (University of Maryland School of Medicine). In 1994, they created a modern-day mummy using a body that was donated to science. The creation of MUMAB answered many questions long-held by researchers and scientists concerning the techniques of ancient Egyptian mummification, some of which are explained in Mummies of the World – The Exhibition. (American Exhibitions, Inc.)

MUMAB (Mummy at the University of Maryland, Baltimore), was a collaborative effort by Egyptologist Bob Brier (Long Island University) and anatomist Ronn Wade (University of Maryland School of Medicine). In 1994, they created a modern-day mummy using a body that was donated to science. The creation of MUMAB answered many questions long-held by researchers and scientists concerning the techniques of ancient Egyptian mummification, some of which are explained in Mummies of the World – The Exhibition. (American Exhibitions, Inc.)

Spiny-tailed lizard naturally mummified in the Sahara desert is an example of a modern-day mummy -- probably less than 100 years old. Part of the Mummies of the World exhibition at Buffalo Museum of Science, it was mummified by the hot, dry air of the desert. (American Exhibitions, Inc.)

Animals were mummified as food for the dead, as the pet of the deceased and as religious offerings to the gods. Wrapped Falcon on loan from: San Diego Museum of Man; Unwrapped Falcon on loan from: Buffalo Museum of Science. (American Exhibitions, Inc.)

This naturally-mummified young woman, who was about 18 to 21 years old when she die and is approximately 550 years old, based on the dating of the archaeological site. Data from a CT scan of the young woman are being studied to help determine whether she had any evidence of disease or injury, and to try to determine a cause of death. On loan from: San Diego Museum of Man. (American Exhibitions, Inc.)

Naturally mummified due to the hot, dry conditions at the site of Lupo, in Peru, this child mummy is known to be about 6 years old when he or she died by teeth analysis. Analysis of medical images of the child found that he or she had a severe curvature of the spine (scoliosis) and markings on his/her leg bones, called Harris Lines or growth arrest lines indicating that he/she had experienced possible malnutrition or chronic illness. (American Exhibitions, Inc.)

These photos show a Mundrucu trophy head, which the men of the Mundrucu tribe made from the heads of their enemies who had been defeated in battle (On loan from: Buffalo Museum of Science); the Vanuatu Overmodeled Skull (as shown in PR 16); A skull of an adult male with preserved hair and an elaborate headdress from Lomas, Peru (On loan from: San Diego Museum of Man); and two wrapped heads from ancient Egypt. (American Exhibitions, Inc.)

Known as tsantsa (pronounced “SANT-sa”), this shrunken head, consists of skin, hair and plant fibers which was likely made for sale to tourists or collectors, not as a victim trophy head of the tribe’s enemies. Part of the process of creating shrunken heads entails sewing the lips, eyes and mouth shut, as well as polishing the skin with powdered charcoal. On loan from: Buffalo Museum of Science. (American Exhibitions, Inc.)