Biggest collection of mummies ever assembled at Arizona Science Center

PHOENIX (FOX 10) -- 40 well-preserved mummies will form part of a new exhibition at the Arizona Science Center, in the largest collection of mummies ever assembled.

The exhibit is set to be opened to the public on Sunday.

"Mummies of the World: The Exhibition" stretches back more than 4,000 years.

"This is the largest collection of mummies ever assembled," said Heather Zielinski with the Arizona Science Center.

40 real mummies, both animal and human, are on display, giving people insights into an ancient era.

"Each one of these stories has a personal story, just like you and I," said Zielinski.

The mummified remains of victims who died from tuberculosis, for example, give scientists insights into how the disease was treated centuries ago. Some are incredibly well preserved. The show includes shrunken heads from South America. as well as Egyptian animal mummies, revealing details about belief in the afterlife.

The exhibition was brought to the Valley from Budapest, Hungary, under heavy security.

"Our mummies arrived by motorcade, escorted by City of Phoenix Police Department on Wednesday, and our team of curators and exhibit techs have been hard at work ever since," said Zielinski.

More than 85 rare artifacts in this show reveal details about life in ancient Egypt, Europe, and South America. The exhibition opens to the public on February 10.