Boulogne-sur-Mer Museum: Introduction to Ancient Egyptian Burial Rites｜France

Why are we so fascinated by mummies?
What do the coffins, amulets, and statues of ancient Egypt really tell us?
This guided tour offers you a gradual immersion in the world of the Egyptian dead, combining modern science, religious beliefs, and major archaeological discoveries.

The tour begins with a key overview of 19th-century Egyptology, focusing on the figure of François Auguste Ferdinand Mariette, a pioneer of Egyptian archaeology and a champion of cultural heritage.

You will then understand why it is the funerary rituals that are best known to us: sealed tombs, carefully arranged objects, and religious texts have survived for millennia, providing a unique window into Egyptian beliefs about death.

The second part of the tour immerses you in the heart of the Egyptian afterlife. Standing before real mummies, you will learn about the stages of mummification, the role of protective amulets, and that of ushabtis, figurines intended to perform tasks in place of the deceased in eternity. These practices take on their full meaning through the foundational narrative of the myth of Osiris, the first mummified being and the god of rebirth.

One of the highlights of the tour is dedicated to the coffin of Nehemsimontu, a veritable compendium of religious beliefs. Its decorations, gods, and funerary texts form a “rebirth machine,” designed to ensure the deceased an eternal life in the fields of Ialou.

This tour, accessible to everyone, combines history, mythology, and contemporary issues to help visitors better understand how ancient Egypt conceived of eternity.

Children will be given a booklet to use during the tour (pencil and stand provided).

/!\ Please be aware that the tour includes the examination of two mummies; it may be sensitive for some individuals. /!\