The Talking Mummy: The Voice of an Ancient Egyptian Priest Resurrected

In 2019 , thanks to technological advances, scientists managed to recreate the voice of Nesyamun , an Egyptian priest whose mummy is preserved in the Louvre. This priest, who lived more than 3,000 years ago, had his vocal cords digitally reconstructed, allowing researchers to recreate a sound close to his original voice. This project, as fascinating as it was ambitious, offered a unique insight into Egyptian funerary practices and the power of modern science to resurrect the past.

A technological feat

Using sophisticated scanners and 3D printing, scientists were able to recreate Nesyamun's vocal structures. The sound produced, a kind of low vowel , is obviously far from a complete sentence, but it offers a unique bridge between the ancient and the contemporary. This innovative project raises many questions about how technology could, in the future, offer a deeper immersion into vanished civilizations.

This adventure combines history, art and science, and helps to bring relics from the distant past back to life. The mummy of Nesyamun remains a fascinating object of study, not only for Egyptologists, but also for those interested in modern technological capabilities.

Discover contemporary works inspired by this fascinating fusion of past and future in our online art gallery .

The legend of the talking mummy is one of the most mysterious and fascinating stories in the Louvre, linked to the collection of Egyptian antiquities.

The Louvre mummy:

• The Louvre houses a rich collection of Egyptian antiquities, including several ancient mummies. Some of them are accompanied by supernatural legends, and one of the most famous concerns a mummy that is said to talk .

The legend:

• According to legend, this Egyptian mummy, preserved in a display case in the museum, is said to have the ability to whisper mysterious words at night, when the galleries are deserted. Some guards and visitors have reported hearing strange voices or whispers as they pass in front of its display case.
• One story tells that a museum guard, while doing his nightly rounds, heard a voice coming from the mummy's display case. Struck with amazement, he tried to understand what the voice was saying, but without success. The next day, the legend spread among the Louvre employees.

A rational explanation?

• Although these stories of talking mummies are often considered legends, some people believe that there could be more rational explanations, such as the noise of old glass cases or the effect of a psychological suggestion caused by the unique atmosphere of the Egyptian galleries.

The appeal of mystery:

• Whether true or invented, the legend of the talking mummy continues to fascinate visitors to the Louvre, adding a layer of mystery to ancient Egyptian relics.

A mummy among many others:

• The Louvre's Egyptian collection is one of the most important in the world, and these mummies, although silent during the day, seem to come to life in the collective imagination at night.

This legend of the talking mummy adds a mystical charm to the antiquities of the Louvre, giving free rein to the imagination of those who pass through the galleries at nightfall.