Mummies Quote by Mark Kurlansky
““The parallels between preserving food and preserving mummies were apparently not lost on posterity. In the nineteenth century, when mummies from Saqqara and Thebes were taken from tombs and brought to Cairo, they were taxed as salted fish before being permitted entry to the city.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Salt: A World History (2002)
Historical anecdote shows that ancient and modern societies taxed mummies like food, highlighting cultural attitudes toward preservation.
In simple terms: Mummies were taxed like fish in the past.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how societies value preservation.
Themes
history
culture
economics
Mood
curious
thoughtful
Type
historical
analytical
When to use this quote
- museum curation
- heritage tourism
- food preservation policies
Key Concepts
taxation
preservation
archaeology
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this reveal about past values?
- How do we treat cultural heritage today?
A Different Perspective
Taxation of cultural artifacts can be controversial.
