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Mummifying Alan wins Royal Television Society award

Dr Stephen Buckley applying a resin-based mixture to secure the wrappings of Alan Billis' mummified body, overseen by senior anatomical pathology technician Maxine Coe at Sheffield's Medico-Legal Centre. Photo copyright of the University of York Mummy Research Group/Dr J FletcherA documentary featuring the mummification of taxi driver Alan Billis, using research by Archaeology Fellows Dr Stephen Buckley and Dr Joann Fletcher, has won a Royal Television Society Award.

Dr Buckley and Dr Fletcher spent nearly two decades uncovering the secrets of the mummification process used during the18th dynasty ‘Golden Age’ of ancient Egypt. In Mummifying Alan: Egypt’s Last Secret they replicated this process on the body of Alan Billis, who volunteered after being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. The Channel 4 documentary beat David Attenborough’s Frozen Planet and Professor Brian Cox’s Stargazing Live in the Science and Natural History category.

The programme has also been nominated for a Bafta, taking on Frozen Planet, British Masters and Wonders of the Universe in the Specialist Factual category. The winner will be announced on Sunday 27 May.

Dr Buckley and Dr Fletcher will be taking part in a 'Meet the scientists' event on Friday 29 June as part of the York Festival of Ideas. See yorkfestivalofideas.com/talks/2012/mummifying-alan/ for details.

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