Egyptian princess continues her battle for oxygen-free chamber

But call it red-tapism or ‘indifferent’ attitude of the Gujarat government,the state never bothered to look into the matter and approach the Egyptian Embassy to preserve the mummy. It was Sayajirao Gaekwad III who purchased the mummy from New York in 1895 for 175 dollars.

In 1999,the BMPG authorities had organised a workshop in which experts from Egypt and India took part. A physical verification of the mummy was done at the workshop,as it is kept in a wooden and glass chamber.

“At the end of the exercise,the findings were startling. We were categorically told by the experts that there was a dire need to change the chamber because the old chamber was not protecting the mummy,as dust particles,humidity and oxygen entered the chamber. This has resulted into formation of specific fungus,which is dangerous for the mummy,” said an official who was part of the team.

The museum authorities,however,feel that at present there is no threat to this rare artefact. BMPG director S N Pandey said: “I am aware of the need for a glass chamber. But then,the present chamber is equally protective and the mummy will remain intact for years to come. The issue was discussed in the past,but for some reasons it was put on the backburner.”

Dr Arun Arya,M S University Botany Department Head,who was part of the team,disclosed the presence of fungus in the chamber. He said: “The findings were put on paper and handed over to the museum officials. But it seems nothing happened after that. If the museum authorities want to preserve it for the years to come,they must treat it before it’s too late.”

Experts’ report & recommendations

The three-page report submitted in 1999 concludes,”After carrying out necessary examination of the mummy and the coffin,we moved the mummy out with the coffin. We observed that the coffin base was seriously contaminated with insects and needs restoration. The coffin base is riddled with tiny holes made by insects .” The same report was sent to the top officials at the department of Sports,Youth Services and Cultural Activities,Gandhinagar.

The experts had asked the museum authorities to bring certain changes to preserve the mummy for a longer period. They were asked not to allow over 150 visitors per hour to control the temperature,humidity and dust. It recommended to re-arrange ventilators,windows and other assets to control radiation,heat and dust in the museum,maintain temperature at 25 degrees Celsius,and install radiation filters and temperature,insect and micro-organism controllers in two months. “But not even air conditioners have been installed,which shows that the department has lost interest in preserving this Egyptian Princess,” said an employee of the BMPG.