Egyptian mummy gets a new face

He is known as Idu II, and is affectionately called "Mr. Idu" by the researchers who've studied him for many years.

Now the Roemer- and Pelizaeus Museum in Hildesheim in northern Germany has reconstructed the face of the man who worked for Pharao Pepi around 2200 BC. A digital representation of his face goes on display Friday as part of the exhibition "Mummies of the World" that runs through August 28.

A three-dimensional model of Idu's face has been cast, but still needs to be painted before going on permanent display in the museum.

With the life-size version of the mummy's head "we are going back 4,000 years," Egyptologist Oliver Gauert said Friday while presenting the foam version of the head in Hildesheim. "You can look a person in the face."

Idu II was a governor in Ancient Egypt. Researchers have concluded that he was 1.66 meters (5.44 feet) tall. He is also said to be right-handed and not muscular. As a welcome importer of wood from Lebanon, he was able to afford a coffin made out of cedar wood.

The Idu's burial chamber was discovered in 1914 by Wilhelm Pelizaeus, who co-founded the Hildesheim museum.

Roemer- and Pelizaeus Museum, which maintains one of the most significant Ancient Egyptian collections in the world, plans to create a separate exhibition room to display the mummy, the reconstruction of his head, and the treasures that were found with him in his grave: a head rest, numerous staffs, shell dishes and pieces of gold jewelry.

kbm/rb (with dpa)