Solving a Museum Mystery
Macquarie University bioarchaeologist Professor Ronika Power and Egyptologist Dr Conni Lord chat about uncovering the mystery of Mer-Neith-Ites, whose mummified remains were discovered in a sarcophagus at Sydney University.

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Recommended age: 16+ years
Award-winning journalist and broadcaster Natasha Mitchell hosts the third event of our Egypt - In Conversation series, as we follow the story of a group of dedicated researchers employing historical and scientific analysis to investigate the mysterious coffin and the disturbed remains within.
Join us as we go beyond science to explore the ethics of modern-day archaeology, asking the question - just because we can, should we?
Note: Ticket price does NOT include entry to Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs.
*Book online to save with our holiday offer (valid until 31 December 2023).
Professor Ronika Power

© Macquarie University
Ronika Power is Professor of Bioarchaeology in the Department of History and Archaeology at Macquarie University, and the Director of the Centre for Ancient Cultural Heritage and Environment (CACHE). Ronika is an elected Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries London, the Royal Society of New South Wales, Academia Europaea, and one of the 30 inaugural Superstars of STEM for Science and Technology Australia.
In 2019, Ronika received the Max Crawford Medal from the Australian Academy of the Humanities; the Kwang-su Lim Early Career Award of the Union Académique Internationale, Brussels; and was named as a Tall Poppy of Science from the Australian Institute of Policy in Science. She obtained a BA Ancient History (Hons I) with the University Medal from Macquarie University; an MSc Human Osteology and Palaeopathology from the University of Bradford, UK; and a PhD in Egyptology, Archaeology, Biological Anthropology and Philosophy from Macquarie University.
Dr Constance Lord
Dr Conni Lord has a Master of Arts (Egyptology) from Macquarie University and a Master of Science (forensic Egyptology) and a cross-disciplinary PhD from the University of Manchester. Her main academic interest is bringing together scientific analysis and historical inquiry in the study of ancient Egyptian human remains and material culture, and then making the results accessible to a range of audiences, including students of all levels. She has been a member of excavation teams in Egypt and the United Kingdom.
Natasha Mitchell (Host)

© Natasha Mitchell
Natasha Mitchell is a multi-award-winning science and culture journalist, radio presenter, podcaster, and documentary maker. She is host of ABC Radio National's flagship Big Ideas program, was founding host and producer of the blockbuster radio show and podcast All in the Mind for a decade, hosted the ABC's daily social affairs program Life Matters, and was founding host and producer of Science Friction, awarded Best Science and Medicine podcast at the Australian Podcast Awards.
Natasha served as vice president of the World Federation of Science Journalists and was recipient of a prestigious Knight Fellowship at MIT/Harvard. Her journalism has received numerous accolades, including the overall Grand Prize and four Gold World Medals at the New York Radio Festivals. She has facilitated many public forums around Australia, including four science dialogues with the Dalai Lama and guests. She has an engineering degree with first class honours and a postgraduate qualification in science communication.