Mummies for sale, Egypt, 1890s Europeans and Middle Easterners spent centuries raiding ancient Egyptian tombs and turning the bandaged bodies into cheap commodities. For instance, mummy-based panaceas were once popular as quack medicine. Other mummies, mainly those of animals, became kindling in homes and steam engines. During the late 19th century, it was popular for wealthy families to host mummy-unwrapping parties.

Mummies for sale, Egypt, 1890s Europeans and Middle Easterners spent centuries raiding ancient Egyptian tombs and turning the bandaged bodies into cheap commodities. For instance, mummy-based panaceas were once popular as quack medicine. Other mummies, mainly those of animals, became kindling in homes and steam engines. During the late 19th century, it was popular for wealthy families to host mummy-unwrapping parties.