Review -The Golden Mummies of Egypt Exhibition | Manchester Museum | 13/06/2023

The Golden Mummies of Egypt – A Dazzling, Thought-Provoking Journey into Life, Death, and Divinity

On Tuesday 13th June 2023, I finally had the chance to visit The Golden Mummies of Egypt at Manchester Museum — an exhibition I had long anticipated, not just as a family-friendly day out, but with the added lens of someone who holds a Master’s in biomedical and forensic studies in Egyptology. Needless to say, I went in with high expectations and a deep curiosity for how this newly revamped museum space would interpret such a captivating era of ancient history.

This internationally-touring exhibition has returned home to Manchester, where the incredible artefacts originate from the museum’s own extensive collection. With international buzz and glowing press coverage, including a spot on The Guardian’s list of “must-see exhibitions,” this showcase of gilded mummies from the Greco-Roman period promised both spectacle and substance — and largely delivered.

The Exhibition Experience

Walking into the exhibition hall (a new addition as part of the museum’s £15 million redevelopment), you’re immediately struck by the reverent, almost sacred atmosphere. Velvet beds and subdued lighting give the space an almost temple-like calm. This was no gory peek inside ancient tombs — rather, the focus was firmly on the exterior artistry and the spiritual symbolism of these mummified individuals. The effect is moving and unexpectedly meditative.

From the moment I locked eyes with a Faiyum portrait — a bearded man painted in haunting realism — the exhibition challenged me to reframe what I thought I knew. These portraits, painted in lifelike Greco-Roman style, felt astonishingly modern, as if the people behind the wrappings might sit up and start a conversation. Each gaze was a portal into a soul lost to time but preserved in purpose.

Themes and Interpretation

This is not an exhibition about what’s inside a mummy. Rather, it’s about the meaning of mummification in the Greco-Roman period, when gold-painted faces and intricate wrappings were designed to create a divine form — not just preserve a body. The concept of the sah, or spiritual vessel, is woven throughout the displays. Through informative panels and artefacts, the exhibition explores how the dead were transformed into Osiris-like beings, adorned in symbols of eternity — gold, lapis lazuli, and divine iconography.

Curator Dr Campbell Price’s vision comes through clearly. His aim wasn’t to unravel or reveal the bodies within but to challenge our assumptions. As he explains, these gilded faces weren’t true likenesses — they were idealised images of the deceased transformed into gods. The exhibition reminds us that this elaborate funerary treatment was a privilege of the wealthy, a means to achieve immortality and divinity.

One standout highlight is the Manchester Museum’s own ‘Rosetta Stone’ — a trilingual funerary stele inscribed in hieroglyphic, demotic, and Greek — encapsulating the multiculturalism of Greco-Roman Egypt and its complex blend of traditions. Another small but striking artefact is a 2,000-year-old convex glass lens, possibly used to read or start fires — a tiny object with astonishing implications about ancient technology.

What Worked Wonderfully

The storytelling is immersive and accessible for all ages, with beautiful design and interactive elements that made children visibly engaged. The Faiyum portraits are undeniably the stars of the show — each one a jewel of ancient individuality that transcends centuries. The decision not to unwrap or expose the remains is a respectful one, adding dignity and mystery rather than morbid curiosity.

The lighting, while low to protect delicate objects, is well-placed to draw your eye to golden details and shimmering wrappings. Campbell Price’s curatorship is evident in every panel, every case, and every thoughtful decision made — his passion for ancient Egypt is infectious.

A Few Fragments Missing

Despite its many strengths, there were a few minor drawbacks that prevent this from being a five-star experience. Some of the labels were a little hard to read in the dim lighting, and during our visit there were moments when the exhibition space felt a touch crowded. Additionally, for those hoping to learn more about the internal processes of mummification or the biological side of these remains, the absence of bio-anthropological detail might feel like a missed opportunity — although I personally appreciated the focus on the spiritual and artistic.

Conclusion

The Golden Mummies of Egypt at Manchester Museum is a richly rewarding, visually stunning exhibition that offers a fresh perspective on one of the world’s most enduring fascinations. Far from the Hollywood horror tropes, this exhibition reclaims mummification as a deeply spiritual and creative act — a means of transformation, remembrance, and transcendence.

Whether you’re a seasoned Egyptologist or just curious about ancient history, this exhibition is well worth your time — and it’s completely free to visit. But be warned: once you’ve locked eyes with a Faiyum portrait, you may find it hard to look away.

“Golden Mummies isn’t about death – it’s about life, art, and the human desire to be remembered forever.”

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