Chinese: Pa. museum never OK'd for mummies exhibit

[February 10, 2011]  PHILADELPHIA (AP) --A diplomatic official says two mummies and other ancient artifacts from China were never approved for display at the Philadelphia museum now embroiled in a dispute over the items.

A Chinese embassy spokesman in Washington says the "Secrets of the Silk Road" exhibit was approved only for museums in California and Texas.

Chinese officials are not allowing the artifacts to be displayed at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

Instead, the long-planned exhibit opened Saturday with fake mummies and life-size photos of the artifacts.

Spokesman Wang Baodong tells The Philadelphia Inquirer that the city "was not a planned stop." He says officials in Beijing are discussing the issue.

Museum director Richard Hodges declined comment.

[Associated Press]

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