The Enduring Fascination with Mummies in Film and History

"Lee Cronin’s The Mummy," a horror film from Blumhouse Productions, is set to release in theaters, continuing a franchise that began with Universal Pictures' 1932 classic starring Boris Karloff. This new installment, which features a plot centered around the discovery of a missing girl kept alive in a sarcophagus, is projected to earn around $10 million during its opening weekend. The film reflects a modern fascination with mummies that can be traced back to significant historical events, including the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922 and Napoleon’s invasion of Egypt in 1798.

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The allure of mummies has captivated audiences for decades, with "Egyptomania" taking hold in America even before the release of Karloff's film. This cultural phenomenon saw the incorporation of pharaonic motifs in architecture and the creation of themed jewelry. Egyptologist Bob Brier notes that the concept of immortality associated with mummies resonates deeply with people. He explains, "When you look at a mummy, you're looking at a person who died 3,000 years ago. But he's a recognizable human being."

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Brier's own exploration of ancient mummification methods, documented for a National Geographic special, revealed the complexities involved in the process. For instance, he described the brain removal technique as akin to "whisking the brain into what Brier called 'a strawberry milkshake.'" He also highlighted the significant amount of natron—about 400 pounds—required for proper dehydration during mummification.

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The fascination with mummies extends beyond films into museums, such as the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum in Long Island, which houses a mummy purchased by railroad heir William K. Vanderbilt II in 1931. The museum's curator, Roberta Casagrande-Kim, notes that the mummy, believed to be a young woman of wealth, serves as a tangible connection to ancient Egyptian society, where mummification was reserved for the affluent.

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While mummy movies have been criticized for their graphic content, Casagrande-Kim acknowledges their role in sparking interest in history. She states, "Even if, let's say, this is not the most intellectual way to go about it, it’s the most immediate way to make people curious." This sentiment underscores the dual nature of mummy films as both entertainment and educational tools.

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• "I think everybody likes the idea of immortality." — Bob Brier, Egyptologist

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• "It’s dead and well, as we say." — Bob Brier, Egyptologist

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• "There was no such thing as leveling up." — Roberta Casagrande-Kim, Curator

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The enduring appeal of mummies in film and culture illustrates a complex interplay between history, mythology, and modern storytelling, ensuring that these ancient figures continue to captivate audiences today.

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