CHARLESTON —  In the latest feature added to the Clay Center's Lost Kingdoms of the Nile exhibit, visitors will learn that ancient Egyptians were not all that different from people of today. They highly regarded their pets, preserving their bodies through mummification. An Egyptian falcon mummy from 664-332 B.C. will be on display at the Clay Center beginning Nov. 11. This mummy comes from the collection of Joseph A. Lewis, III and Sofi Lewis.

Many species of animals were mummified in the later periods of Egyptian history. Some were considered sacred because they were believed to possess the spirit of a god or goddess. The falcon was identified from the earliest times with the sun god Horus and the reigning king who was his manifestation on Earth.

Animals were sacrificed, mummified almost as elaborately as humans and offered in the temples by pilgrims as a substitute for more expensive bronze votives. When a sufficient number of animal mummies had collected in the temple, they would be buried by the priests in sacred animal cemeteries.

The latest issue of National Geographic includes an in-depth feature on animal mummies. In the article, Egyptomologist Salima Ikram says, "They're really manifestations of daily life. Pets, food, death, religion. They cover everything the Egyptians were concerned with. You look at these animals, and suddenly you say, 'Oh, King So-and-So had a pet. I have a pet. And instead of being at a distance of 5,000-plus years, the ancient Egyptians become people.'"

The extraordinary exhibit, Lost Kingdoms of the Nile: Nubian Treasures from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston consists of more than 200 artifacts dating from 3000 B.C., and provides unprecedented insight into ancient Nubia, the extraordinary African civilization that ruled Egypt in the 25th Dynasty.  Companion photographic murals from the early 20th century Harvard-Boston Expedition tell remarkable stories of the discovery of these artifacts.

Nubia, the homeland of several ancient African kingdoms, is a vast region in the area of today's northern Sudan and southern Egypt. It was an important force in the ancient Nile Valley, and its history paralleled Egypt's.

Lost Kingdoms of the Nile was organized by the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. It is sponsored by Capitol Conference Center and Jackson Kelly, PLLC.  Additional support is provided by Maynard C. Smith Construction, Chubb Insurance and Wells Fargo Insurance Services.

For more information, visit www.theclaycenter.org, or call 304-561-3570.

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