OT: Spinning statue spooks museum bosses

[mgaggie]

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/br ... um-bosses/

An ancient Egyptian statue kept in a museum for 80 years has started spinning on its own.

The Daily Mail reports that the 25cm statue, a relic of the god of death found inside a mummy's tomb, has been filmed inside the Manchester Museum spinning 180 degrees.

The mystery of the moving mummy, which is sealed in a glass display case, has spooked museum bosses since the turnaround was caught on time lapse video.

Museum curator Campbell Price said there could be a "spiritual explanation" to the spinning statue.

"I noticed one day that it had turned around," Mr Price, an Egyptologist, told the Daily Mail. "I thought it was strange because it is in a case and I am the only one who has a key.

"I put it back but then the next day it had moved again.

"We set up a time-lapse video and, although the naked eye can't see it, you can clearly see it rotate on the film.

"The statuette is something that used to go in the tomb along with the mummy.

"Mourners would lay offerings at its feet. The hieroglyphics on the back ask for bread, beer and beef.

"In Ancient Egypt they believed that if the mummy is destroyed then the statuette can act as an alternative vessel for the spirit.

"Maybe that is what is causing the movement.'

Mr Price is urging members of the public to come along and take a look at the statue.
"It would be great if someone could solve the mystery," he said.

All I can say is how bizzare

[mystydragonfly]

Maybe he would stop spinning if someone laid a juicy roast beef sandwich and a mug of brew at his feet.

[mystydragonfly]

One more thought--Maybe he needs CPAP to finally get some eternal rest.

[DreamDiver]

Got Zool? Call Ghostbusters, please.

[archangle]

Geez, can they really be that stupid, or are they just trolling for publicity?

There's probably a source of vibration nearby and it's moving around the same way as a cell phone on vibrate does.

It's like a vibratory feeder. Here's a video of one. In case it's not clear, the bowl doesn't rotate, it just vibrates. They're really slick to watch in action.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsJzSFVAnhk

[DreamDiver]

Geez, can they really be that stupid, or are they just trolling for publicity?

There's probably a source of vibration nearby and it's moving around the same way as a cell phone on vibrate does.

It's like a vibratory feeder. Here's a video of one. In case it's not clear, the bowl doesn't rotate, it just vibrates. They're really slick to watch in action.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsJzSFVAnhk

Nice explanation. I wondered about some external vibration source too, but didn't have a reasonable reference. I'm thinking "air conditioner". I suspect the museum's Mr. Price see no harm in increasing visitor numbers via Star/Enquirer methods, even if the reasons for twirling statues has a reasonable explanation.

[Tipiford]

Geez, can they really be that stupid, or are they just trolling for publicity?

There's probably a source of vibration nearby and it's moving around the same way as a cell phone on vibrate does.

It's like a vibratory feeder. Here's a video of one. In case it's not clear, the bowl doesn't rotate, it just vibrates. They're really slick to watch in action.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsJzSFVAnhk

Yep, and closely watching the video the movement seems mostly to occur while people are walking-by in the hallway next to the display. 'Betcha that would stop if they moved the statue further inside the room.

Tipiford

[archangle]

Well, if they'll fly me there, we can test what happens if a fat guy jumps up and down on the floor next to the statue.

[Todzo]

He is probably just looking for his mummy.