October 5, 2026
What do you think of when you think of a witch? Perhaps it’s an older lady, a crone or hag, wearing black with a wide brimmed and pointed hat riding a broom or stirring a cauldron. This is a pretty standard mental image for people, and witches are depicted as...
September 22, 2026
Though they are the best known in modern pop culture, Egyptian mummies are only the tip of the iceberg, pun intended. There are two main types of mummies: anthropogenic, deliberately created by humans, and spontaneous, naturally preserved by environmental conditions. Today, let's talk about all the other mummies that are...
September 8, 2026
This week let’s look at some myths about mummies. It’s time to separate the fact from the fiction in All Wrapped Up! Before we dive into mummy myths however, if you like what we are doing here you can support the Museum here. You can also follow us on Facebook...
August 24, 2026
There are many ways to practice mummification, both intentionally and unintentionally. The most famous example in modern pop culture is from Ancient Egypt and is what most people think of when asked to picture a mummy. A body, wrapped tight in linen, arms crossed at the chest. How did...
August 18, 2026
Museum artifact L2006.80.002, lovingly known as Braided Hair Lady, hereafter known as Lady, came to Wichita in 2004, joining Dr. Jon Kardatzke’s eclectic and ever-growing collection. Unlike her dear friend, Lady Baka, we know a great deal more about Lady. Why? Well, dear reader, let me tell you her story. ...
July 21, 2026
There is little known for certain about museum artifact 2019.13.002, affectionately known to staff and visitors as Baka, one of two resident mummies. And that is unfortunately all too common for many Egyptian artifacts and mummies. At the height of Egyptomania many tombs were looted and items were sold under...
July 14, 2026
A Brief History of the Modern Faire The modern fascination with medieval and renaissance aesthetics is undeniable. From the medieval revival of church architecture to the modern fantasy genre model, humanity remains inspired by this vast period of human history. One result of this fascination is the dawn of the...
June 30, 2026
What was the Norman Conquest? The Norman Conquest of England was an invasion led by Duke William of Normandy (also known as William the Conqueror) in 1066. He led this invasion after having been named as heir by King Edward the Confessor in 1051. Conquering England and fighting off various...
June 16, 2026
Have you ever wondered where museums get their artifacts? Museums are many things, but at the heart of the education, preservation, and conservation efforts put forward by these institutions are the items themselves. All of the items housed in a museum are collectively referred to as the museum collection, and...
May 27, 2026
Have you ever heard of a “Viking’s funeral?” In pop culture this phrase refers to the process of pushing the deceased into a body of water after lighting them and the vessel ablaze. This wasn’t the traditional funerary ritual for the Vikings, however, the importance of ships in both their...