The display invites visitors to experience life and death in the 18th century by following the mummies from the place of their burial (Crypt) through unfolding personal stories (Secrets, Fates) to the process of scientific examination (Gallery of Knowledge). The emotionally touching atmosphere is well balanced by the presentation of the research that has been carried out on the bodies.

The spirit of the age is evoked by synchronized film streams projected on large screens. Three softwares invite the visitors to explore the crypt and follow the steps of CT-scanning and DNA-analysis.

The 265 naturally mummified bodies found unexpectedly in a long-forgotten crypt of the Dominican Church, Hungary filled with richly decorated coffins. According to the church registers and the dates painted on the coffins, the crypt served as the burial site for the citizens of Vác who lived between 1674 and 1838. After their rescue starting in 1994, the mummies were placed in the special storage room of the Department of Anthropology in the Hungarian Natural History Museum.

Scientific investigations covered the way of life, the health conditions, hygienic and nutritional customs and mortality rate of the population of an 18th century town. The fates of individuals and families are revealed by the pages of the death registers that contain information on the professions, kinship relations, and major events of the life of the residents of the town. Wars, famine, disease and epidemics together with the lack of professional medical care determined the living circumstances of these people. The presence of TB is well documented in the mummies. The DNA examinations of the tissues serve important information on the pathogen of and possible resistance to the disease.