FtV - Vermont's Ancient Egyptian Mummy

This episode of the New England Legends Podcast revisits the infamous story of Prince Amonher Kepeshef, an ancient Egyptian child mummy allegedly buried in Middlebury, Vermont. The narrative traces the mummy’s journey from his death in 1883 BC, through centuries of obscurity, to his acquisition by Vermont collector Henry Sheldon in 1886. Sheldon, disappointed by the mummy’s damaged condition, stored it in his attic until 1945, when museum curator George Meade discovered it and, recognizing the humanity of the remains, arranged for its cremation and reburial in a family plot at West Cemetery. The episode details the hosts’ visit to the cemetery and their discovery of a unique headstone featuring Egyptian symbols like the Ankh and the soul bird, marking the final resting place of a child prince far from home. The story takes a modern twist with updates from a listener, Evan Thomas, who reveals the original headstone was vandalized and possibly stolen in 2023, and that a statue at the nearby Bowman Mansion is also missing. The hosts reflect on the ethical implications of treating ancient human remains as curiosities, emphasizing respect for the dead and the unintended consequences of public fascination with legends.