Life of Meresamun: A Temple Singer in Ancient Egypt [Paperback]

This companion volume and catalog to the exhibit that opens on February 9, 2009, traces the life of Meresamun, whose mummy,
dating to about 800 B.C., is one of the highlights of The
Oriental Institute museum in Chicago, IL. The text introduces the
historical and cultural setting of Egypt during her time. Essays
and artifacts examine the role of music and of musicians in
Egyptian temple cults, their training, and the types of musical
instruments that Meresamun would have used. The life of Meresamun
outside the temple is explored, with emphasis upon her social and
legal status, what other professions were available to her, and
what home life was like. The study of the life of this individual
is augmented by forensic evidence obtained with the newest
generation of CT scanners that sheds life on Meresamun's life and
death.

"This volume, which is richly illustrated with full-color and black-and-white figures in the text - in addition to the exhibition objects - belongs on the bookshelf of everyone interested in the several roles of women in ancient Egypt.'"
D.C. Forbes
KMT 20.2 (Summer 2009)

"An excellent book...Well illustrated, it makes Meresamun a real person, rather than just a modern museum exhibit.'"
Robert Partridge
Ancient Egypt 10.2 (2009)

"Thousands of images were taken using high resolution scanning channels to a level of detail not previously used on a mummy. The results, in colour in the book, are quite astounding.

Together, the editors have achieved the dearest wish expressed in their prayers by all ancient Egyptians: ‘Speak my name that I may live’. Meresamun lives again.'"
Peter A. Clayton
Minerva (Jan/Feb 2010)