SANTA ANA, CA.- The nationally recognized Mummies of the World: The Exhibition made its debut at the Bowers Museum on March 18, 2016. The exhibition features more than 150 artifacts, real human and animal mummies from across the globe.

With over 1.4 million visitors experiencing Mummies of the World to date, the display at Bowers Museum is the first time the exhibit has been to Orange County. As the largest exhibition of real mummies and related artifacts ever assembled, the exhibit provides a window into the lives of ancient people from every region of the world including Europe, South America and Ancient Egypt, offering unprecedented insights into past cultures and civilizations.

Through modern science, Mummies of the World demonstrates how mummification can take place through natural and intentional practices. Included in the collection are the Vac Mummies, a mummified family from Hungary believed to have died from tuberculosis; the Baron Von Holz, a German nobleman found tucked away in the family crypt of a 14th century castle wearing his best leather boots; Egyptian animal mummies including a falcon, a fish, a dog and a baby crocodile, many of which were deliberately preserved to accompany royals for eternity; as well as MUMAB, the first replication of Egyptian mummification done on a decedent body in 2800 years; and much more.

“When we first learned about the impressive mummies in this exhibition, we knew we had to bring it to Santa Ana," said Peter Keller, President of Bowers Museum. "Mummies of the World is an incredible glimpse into the fascinating mummification process that occurs in nature and the history of science, anatomy and medicine. This stunning collection has so much to teach us about people and cultures that once thrived. The Bowers is honored to bring such an exciting, unique and educational experience to Orange County for the first time.”

Mummies of the World tells the story of the mummies through state-of-the-art multimedia, hands-on interactive stations and cutting-edge 3-D animation taking visitors on a 4,500-year journey to explore the mummies’ history and origins as well as how they were created through both intentional and natural processes. Using CT scans, researchers have determined that prior to death many of the mummies showed evidence of various ailments and illnesses, some of them endemic among families.

“We are excited to bring Mummies of the World to Santa Ana,” said Marcus Corwin, president of American Exhibitions, Inc. “Most people think mummies come from Egypt and are wrapped, but mummies come from all over the world. The exhibition is changing centuries-old perceptions about what the general public thinks about mummies and providing insight into the lives and cultures of these ancient people. Inside every mummy is a story waiting to be told, and Mummies of the World is here to tell those stories.”