Toronto Sun (Kevin Connor)
With video.
Some curators at the Royal Ontario Museum seem introverted and not keen on sharing their artifacts — and then there is Egyptology educator Gayle Gibson.Her personality is as large as a pyramid and she was delighted to share her treasures.
Although her expertise is Egypt and not lions, she bears a good resemblance to the actress who starred in the movie Born Free.
One of her favourite treasures is a 3,000-year-old mummy coffin beautifully decorated with art work and prayers.
“A (mummy) coffin would cost as much as a car, so this is a low-end coffin, but she would of had some connection with the ruling class because it was decorated by experts,” Gibson said.
It is a mystery as to what happened to the mummified woman for whom the coffin was made.
Gibson also brought out a mummified Roman baby who died 2,000 years ago. Tests have not concluded the sex of the child.
“This baby was wrapped in a painted cloth. It is a nice meaningful scene with a priest showing the child is now safe in the arms of God,” Gibson said while lovingly looking at the baby.
“It is a lovely image. They did the best they could, but you can tell this wasn’t a wealthy family.”
