These Mummified Cadavers Helped Teach Medical Students in the 1800s

  • A child mummy is a part of the Burns Collection that is traveling with the Mummies of the World: The Exhibition.
    American Exhibitions, Inc. 2014
    1 of 8
  • A Burns collection specimen shows part of the head, neck and shoulder area, with an emphasis on the anatomy of the neck area.
    American Exhibitions, Inc. 2014
    2 of 8
  • A Burns Collection child mummy has been fully prosected. Most of the internal organs have been removed, although the heart is clearly visible. The age of the child is not known, but it is slightly older than an infant.
    American Exhibitions, Inc. 2014
    3 of 8
  • A Burns Collection specimen showing different anatomical structures. This head has been fully dissected to show various blood vessels and connective tissues in great detail.
    American Exhibitions, Inc. 2014
    4 of 8
  • A Burns Collection specimen has been fully prosected. Most of the internal organs have been removed, although the heart is clearly visible. The age of the child is not known, but it is slightly older than an infant.
    American Exhibitions, Inc. 2014
    5 of 8
  • A Burns Collection specimen that was used to teach anatomy to medical students.
    American Exhibitions, Inc. 2014
    6 of 8
  • The Burns Collection, dating from the early 19th century was created by Allan Burns (1781-1813), a young man from Glasgow, Scotland.
    American Exhibitions, Inc. 2014
    7 of 8
  • A Burns Collection specimen that shows different anatomical structures. This head has been fully dissected to show various blood vessels and connective tissues in great detail.
    American Exhibitions, Inc. 2014
    8 of 8
More Must-Reads From TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com.

You May Also Like
Next Up: Editor's Pick
The 25 Defining Works of the Black Renaissance
EDIT POST