'Uncertain Expertise' For Hyd 'Mummy’s Preservation'

By M H Ahssan / Hyderabad

What could be the possible  connection between the ongoing political instability in Egypt and our city of Hyderabad? Well, there is enough to worry the department of archaeology and museums. Days after Egypt’s first democratically-elected president Mohamed Morsi was ousted by the Egyptian army, officials in the department of archaeology and museums here are concerned about a promise made by the country with respect to the preservation and restoration of the 2,350-year-old Egyptian Mummy on display at the YSR AP State Museum.
It is learnt that an Egyptian delegation, which had visited the city two years ago,  also promised financial aid apart from expertise in preserving the mummy. The state archaeology department is hopeful of placing the order for a nitrogen-filled glass chamber with a US agency by next month, after receiving a revised estimation of costs for preservation of the mummy.

But, with the turmoil in Egypt seeming never-ending and the government being overthrown again, officials here hope things get back to normal in Egypt in the coming months. The chamber was recommended by an Egyptian delegation of conservationists under the government of Egypt when they had visited the city in 2011.

The delegation was led by Egyptian mummy conservationist Tarek El Avadi, director of Supreme Council for Antiquities (SCA) under the Egyptian ministry of culture and responsible for the conservation, protection and regulation of all antiquities and archaeological excavations in Egypt.

Archaeology officials, however, denied on Thursday any promise of financial assistance from Egypt. “We need their expertise but not funds. Our government has sanctioned Rs 100 crore for conservation and preservation of monuments and upgrade of museums,” said KP Rao, director of state archaeology.

According to him, the mummy gifted to the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad Mir Osman Ali Khan in the 1920s by Nazeer Nawaz Jung, son-in-law of the sixth Nizam Mir Mehboob Ali Khan, was in a good shape even in the absence of an air-proof container. But, the mummy of 18-year-old Ieshu, daughter of Pharaoh VI, which initially consisted of bright decorations and writings in turquoise, terracotta and gold colours,  faded over time because of the poor conservation measures and the absence of an oxygen-free chamber.

The crust of the embalmed body, lying in an airtight enclosure, is fragmenting at the face, shoulders and around the feet. The wrapping has also started to peel off and the cracks are conspicuous.

Meanwhile, the only agency in the world to manufacture the chamber has sought two years’ time to take the order. “We are expecting revised estimate from the US- based agency by this month and soon we will place the order for a nitrogen-filled glass chamber,” said KSB Kesava, deputy director of museums). The estimate, prepared two years ago, was Rs 25 lakh and now may go up to Rs 35 lakh.

When asked about the status of experts from Egypt for preservation of the mummy, Rao said, “The government in Egypt might have changed and the political instability may continue. Hopefully, things will settle down soon.” According to him, the department is trying to correspond with the institution and not with the individuals.

Also, scientists at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), Delhi have agreed to provide their expertise and strike a deal with the US agency. “Dr Harikishan, CSIR emeritus scientist, NPL, has also promised  assistance since they too have necessary expertise in conservation. We should have the chamber in one year’s time after placing the order,” added Kesava.