Redpath Museum

Dinosaurs, mummies, scary masks, stuffed animals... things nightmares are made of, or for those who simply seek life's mysteries, the perfect place in Montreal for a visit.

Strangely enough, it was a Peruvian immigrant who introduced me to the Redpath Museum, almost as if this repository of secrets was itself kept a secret. I had lived all my life in the larger Montreal area, had heard about the distant horrendous MKUltra experiments taking place at the McGill University in the fifties and sixties, but I wasn't aware of this institution's jewel presently open to the public.

It's not as if this museum of natural history was something new. The building had been on the campus since 1882.

It was a gift made by sugar baron Peter Redpath to the academy.

My Visit

On the same week as My Visit to the Montreal Botanical Garden, I decided to go back to the Redpath Museum to get some pictures. I'm thankful to my Abitibian friend for the patience he showed in allowing me to take as much photos as I wanted.

Biology

Expect to see a lot of bones there. Right at the entrance we were welcomed by numerous skeletons.

Hanging down above from the ceiling, or hooked on the walls, things burst from all around.

Can you identify them?

This is an easy guess.

Fossils there, too.

A lot of pics I had to take through glasses protecting items of the collection, which gave me troubles due to window reflections. Thus, I am not sharing the entirety of what I found there, but merely the best snaps or what was of greater interest.

Some animals were more covered than others.

This wolf looks sad.

Unlike his buddy who was stuck into an expression of agressivity.

They didn't all look unhappy. B.t.w., that's a munomental doorway fragment from the ancient Egyptian city of Bubatis, beside the ungulate.

There were those who had company inside their light deflecting cages.

From rare to common specimens, including picnic eaters' favorite bird.

Paleontology

Now, as promised by the image at the top, let's give the floor to the Jurassic period's main actors.

Starting with a Triceratops' head.

Recognize our introductory Tyrannosaurus friend?

The origin of birds explained.

Have you noticed the Beaux-Arts decor in the back?

Ethnology

Time for the best part, i.m.o, where we look at sociocultural anthropology related objects.

Who isn't fascinated by mummies?

A close-up.

Another Theban mummy.

Mummification was also applied to animals.

Various trinkets and a papyrus from Egypt.

Here's a limestone portrait from Ramesses the Great's era. It's a more than three thousand years old scultpure of an anonymus individual.

From Egypt to Greece.

The Tomb of the Diver.

A vase, obviously.

An urn of some sort?

That's an urn for sure: the Etruscan cinerary kind.

Leaving ancient Greece, we come face to face with an impressive Sri Lankan mask used to exorcised Kana Sanni Yakka, the Demon of Blindness.

Last but not least, a Japanese samurai armour.

See you there?

If you intend to follow through my steps and explore the museum, the closest Montreal Metro exit is McGill station. But, if like me, you're the bicycle riding type, you'll probably notice the cool bike rack near, which at the time was unfortunately full.

It's totally free, so I'm planning to deambulate again between these beautiful walls. Who knows? Maybe we'll stumble across each other.