[X-Ray of the Mummy of a Raptor] 1896

Dr. Henri van Heurck made this X-ray of a mummified raptor. It is a ghostly rendering of a being caught between worlds, and it encapsulates the fascination with both science and Egyptology at the end of the 19th century. Van Heurck’s work intersects with broader narratives of scientific exploration and colonial encounters. European scientists, driven by the desire to categorize and control the natural world, often participated in the exploitation of resources from colonized lands. This image then is not just a scientific record, but also a symbol of the era's imperial ambitions. Consider how the act of X-raying, of penetrating the unseen, mirrors the colonial project of unveiling and appropriating. It speaks to a desire to dissect and understand cultures and histories perceived as ‘other.’ Ultimately, this image exists as a stark reminder of the complex interplay between science, colonialism, and the enduring allure of ancient civilizations.