The Quinto Mummy Museum is a fascinating museum located in the municipality of Quinto, in the province of Zaragoza, Aragón, Spain. This museum is unique in its kind and houses a collection of natural mummies discovered in the old parish church of the Assumption of Our Lady. The museum offers a unique educational and cultural experience, allowing visitors to learn up close about natural mummification processes and the history of the region.
The Quinto mummies were discovered during restoration works on the Assumption of Our Lady church. This church, dating back to the 15th century, had been used as a cemetery until the 18th century. When restoration began in 2011, numerous naturally mummified bodies were found in the temple's underground. The environmental conditions of the site, including ventilation and soil composition, contributed to the preservation of the bodies.
The Quinto Mummy Museum was inaugurated in July 2018, becoming the first museum of its kind in Aragón. The museum is located in the Assumption church itself, which has been adapted to house the mummy exhibition and provide visitors with an appropriate space for contemplation and learning.
The museum displays several natural mummies, as well as funerary objects and other archaeological finds discovered in the church. Some of the museum's highlights include natural mummies and funerary objects. The main collection consists of naturally mummified bodies, including both adults and children, presented in display cases that allow visitors to observe the details of their preservation. Alongside the mummies, various funerary objects found in the tombs are exhibited, such as rosaries, religious medals, clothing fragments, and coffins.
The museum offers detailed information about natural mummification processes, funerary practices of the time, and the history of the church and the municipality of Quinto. Informative panels, videos, and other educational resources help contextualize the findings and understand their significance.
The Quinto Mummy Museum has a strong educational vocation and offers various activities and resources for different audiences. Guided tours are organized for school groups, groups, and individual visitors, providing a detailed explanation of the mummies and the historical and archaeological context of the findings. The museum offers educational workshops for children and adults, including activities related to archaeology, conservation, and local history. Talks and lectures on topics related to archaeology, history, and anthropology are organized, delivered by experts in the field.
The Quinto Mummy Museum is an invaluable resource for scientific research and cultural dissemination. The mummies provide unique information about funerary practices, living conditions, and diseases of the time. Additionally, the museum contributes to the preservation of Quinto's cultural heritage and the promotion of cultural tourism in the region.