Mummie Mysteries links Egypt with Friesland

In Mummie Mysteries, deliberate animal mummies from ancient Egypt stand beside unintentional mummies from Fryslân. A new room brings together stories from Wiuwert and Sexbierum.

Editorial team · 12 October 2026

The façade of Natuurmuseum Fryslân in Leeuwarden. Photo: Natuurmuseum Fryslân / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Image source

Not every mummy came about in the same way. In Mummie Mysteries, Natuurmuseum Fryslân shows both the deliberate mummies from ancient Egypt and the unintentional mummies from Fryslân.

The extension tells the stories of Wiuwert and Sexbierum. Visitors see a short documentary about Wiuwert and one mummified animal from the burial vault. The five mummified cats from Sexbierum can also be seen.

A mummified cat from ancient Egypt. Photo: Tiia Monto / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Image source

Mummie Mysteries is an exhibition about mummified animals.

The exhibition runs until 22 November 2026. During the autumn holidays, from 10 to 18 October, the museum is open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, including Mondays.

Wiuwert and Sexbierum are the two Frisian places whose stories return in the new room.