Attraction
Karnak Temple Complex
The vast temple complex of Amun-Re on Luxor's East Bank, built and rebuilt by around thirty pharaohs and famous for its forest-like Great Hypostyle Hall.
Mummification Museum
A small Corniche museum explaining how the ancient Egyptians preserved people and animals, with embalming tools, canopic jars and the mummy of Masaharta.
At a glance
- Type
- Museum of ancient Egyptian mummification
- Area
- Corniche, East Bank, Luxor, Egypt
Good to know
- Indoor galleries
- Nile views
- Short visit
Why we recommend it
The Mummification Museum is a compact museum on the Corniche devoted to a single subject: how and why the ancient Egyptians preserved the dead. It opened in 1997 and occupies a 2,035-square-metre space overlooking the Nile, just north of Luxor Temple, so it is easy to drop into between other sights on the East Bank.
The displays walk you through the process of mummification step by step, using real embalming tools and materials alongside explanations of what each stage was for. The central exhibit is the mummy of Masaharta. Around it are canopic jars that held the internal organs, ushabti figures meant to work for the dead in the afterlife, protective amulets and the coffin of Padiamun.
The animal mummies are often the part that children remember. Cats, fish and crocodiles were all mummified, some as beloved animals and many more as offerings to the gods associated with them, and seeing them side by side shows how widespread the practice was. The galleries also include objects linked to the gods connected with death and rebirth, helping to explain the beliefs behind the tombs you will see on the West Bank.
The museum suits families with older children, first-time visitors who want context before visiting the Valley of the Kings, and anyone who has a spare hour in the heat of the day. Some visitors may find the human remains unsettling, so it is worth mentioning this to younger children beforehand. Allow around 45 minutes to an hour. Labels are short, so reading up beforehand or going with a guide will help you get more out of it.
The entrance is on the riverside road, a few minutes' walk north of Luxor Temple. Luxor Museum lies further north along the same Corniche, and the two together make a good morning or late afternoon. Afterwards you can stroll along the river to watch the feluccas, or cross to the souq for a drink. Opening hours on the Corniche museums can change with the season and during holidays, so check locally before planning your day around a visit, especially if you hope to come in the evening.
Mummification Museum FAQs
Where is the Mummification Museum?
It is on the Corniche on the East Bank, a short walk north of Luxor Temple.
When did it open?
The museum opened in 1997.
What is the main exhibit?
The mummy of Masaharta, displayed alongside embalming tools and canopic jars.
Are there animal mummies?
Yes. The collection includes mummified cats, fish and crocodiles.
How long does a visit take?
Around 45 minutes to an hour.
Is it suitable for children?
Older children usually find it fascinating, but some may find the human remains unsettling.
What is nearby?
Luxor Temple is just to the south, and Luxor Museum is further north along the Corniche.