Plans afoot for renovation of Telangana State Archaeology Museum; Egyptian mummy conservation to cost ₹82 lakh

The Telangana government is set to embark on a major renovation of the Telangana State Archaeology Museum, located in Public Gardens, Hyderabad, in an effort to revitalize the site and transform it into a prominent tourist destination, announced Tourism and Culture Minister Jupally Krishna Rao on August 19. During his visit, Minister Rao toured various galleries within the museum, examining artifacts such as bronze pieces, Buddhist art, sculptures, cannons, and paintings.

He also appraised the state of rare archaeological and historical items under the museum's care and consulted with officials on their preservation.

A significant aspect of the Minister's visit centered around the Egyptian mummy housed at the museum, estimated to be around 2500 B.C. The Minister emphasized the need for the museum to ensure the scientific conservation and preservation of the mummy for posterity. German experts had drafted a proposal for the mummy's conservation at an estimated expense of ₹82 lakh, which the Minister directed officials to expedite and secure the necessary funds promptly.

The mummy, one of only six Egyptian mummies preserved in museums across India, has experienced considerable degradation over the years. A glass enclosure, commissioned in 2017 from a German firm for ₹58 lakh, was designed to create a controlled environment around the mummy, featuring a nitrogen generator and pH monitor to minimize microbial activity and decelerate deterioration.

The mummy's connection to Hyderabad's aristocracy dates back to the 1920s, when Paigah nobleman Nazeer Nawaz Jung acquired it during a visit to Egypt. He then presented it to his sister-in-law, the seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, who bequeathed it to the Hyderabad State Museum.

Minister Rao expressed the government's aim to turn the museum into a must-visit destination for both domestic and international tourists visiting Hyderabad, urging increased publicity for its rare archaeological collections and historical significance. He also tasked the Archaeology Department with preparing detailed estimates for the renovation works, encompassing building conservation, structural repairs, and painting, within a week to facilitate the commencement of development works without delay.