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Encased in temperature-controlled glass cabinets, mummies are often a star attraction at some of the world’s greatest museums. For centuries, mummies were viewed as nothing more than money-making commodities. Thankfully, attitudes have drastically shifted.
But what exactly is a mummy?
The word ‘mummy’ refers to the dead body of a human being or that of an animal whose soft tissues and organs have been preserved by either intentional means or by accidental exposure to extreme conditions. Practiced throughout most of early Egyptian history, mummification refers to the specific methods used by the Egyptians to remove all moisture from the body, leaving only a dried form that would not easily rot or decay. You may have viewed a mummy on display …
People build statues of heroes. The Greeks built statues of Hercules and Adonis. The British built statues of Nelson and Churchill. The Egyptians, Colossi of Memnon. We Americans build statues of our heroes, too. Like George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Heroes usually only get statues when they’re dead. And, when a person travels hundreds or thousands of miles to see a statue, sometimes looking isn’t enough. Sometimes, he or she wants to touch it. And it’s always lucky to touch a hero statue.
But should you?
The short answer is most of the time. As long as you are respectful of local customs and traditions and it’s not prohibited by local law, I say do …
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