Maren in the marsh

Maren is a so-called naturally mummified human. She probably died of cholera sometime in the 19th century, and has been in a glass case at the museum since she was transferred to The Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology from Rikshospitalet in the early 2000s. 

-One of the most exciting conservation-related projects we have at The Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology currently is the work we are doing with the museum's mummy: Maren in Myra, say Hilde Skogstad and Marianne Sjølie.

The conservation work is at the center when Maren is now to be part of a new exhibition at the museum.

-In connection with the production of a new medical exhibition, we have recently examined Maren more closely, i.a. by CT scanning her, they say.

From a conservation perspective, they have had many questions that not only they, but the entire museum, and perhaps everyone who has seen her at the museum in the last 20 years, want answers to:

How stable is the corpse she now partially consists of? Does she have preserved organs? What conditions does she need in order to be best preserved further?

But also historical, contextual and ethical questions are raised; Who was she? What kind of life did she live? And not least, is it right for us to continue to display her at the museum? Soon you can read more about this on the museum's website!