The latest exhibition at the California Science Center unravels the science of mummification, bringing together over 30 naturally and intentionally preserved human and animal mummies from South America, Europe, and ancient Egypt. 

This exhibit premiered at the California Science Center in 2010. Now, having toured the US and Europe, the exhibition returns to Los Angeles for its closing venue. And this time around, its bringing a new selection of specimens never-before-seen in Los Angeles.

Guests can explore the science of natural mummification in varied environments from glaciers and deserts to underground European crypts; and learn about the methods used to intentionally preserve animals and people in cultures ranging from ancient Egypt and Peru to modern day medical studies. 

The exhibit features specimens never-before-seen in Los Angeles and rarely toured, including:

• 18th-century medical mummies
• Two mummified ancient Egyptian priests
• Shrunken sloth head
• Two ancient Peruvian bundle mummies, making their West Coast debut and on tour for the first time in over 60 years
• MUMAB (Mummy of the University of Maryland at Baltimore), the first ancient Egyptian-style mummification performed in 2,800 years to examine through replication the famous but poorly understood procedure  

Other highlights include:

• 18th century Hungarian mummies discovered in a long-forgotten church crypt
•  a Mummified 17th-century German nobleman, buried in his military boots

The exhibit is complemented by the IMAX film Mummies 3D: Secrets of the Pharaohs (separate ticket required for film).

Mummies of the World opens February 7, 2026.