Animal Mummification and X-ray Revelations
Ancient Egyptians mummified various animals, including beetles. Pets were sometimes buried with their owners for afterlife sustenance or due to human reverence. Recently, digital X-ray capabilities revealed the contents beneath wrappings resembling a cat, bird, and snake, stored for a long time at the Egyptian Centre at Swansea University.
Recently, digital X-ray capabilities revealed the contents beneath wrappings resembling a cat, bird, and snake, stored for a long time at the Egyptian Centre at Swansea University.
In these cases, researchers were fortunate: remnants of real animals were found in all three artefacts. X-raying helped determine their age, species, and likely cause of death.
For instance, a domestic cat (Felis catus) was less than five months old based on tooth condition. Spinal injuries suggested deliberate neck breaking, either post-mortem for the desired “upright” mummy form or during ritual strangulation, possibly by asphyxiation.
In these cases, researchers were fortunate: remnants of real animals were found in all three artefacts. X-raying helped determine their age, species, and likely cause of death.
For instance, a domestic cat (Felis catus) was less than five months old based on tooth condition. Spinal injuries suggested deliberate neck breaking, either post-mortem for the desired “upright” mummy form or during ritual strangulation, possibly by asphyxiation.
A mummified bird turned out to be a common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus). No spinal fractures were found, only leg bone breakage, likely occurring shortly after death when tissues were still elastic. This suggests it was picked from the wild rather than raised for ritual slaughter, as seen with dogs.
The coiled snake appeared to be a young Egyptian cobra (Naja haje). Like the kitten, its spine was broken, probably for religious reasons.
The cobra received minimal water in life, evident from calcified kidneys. Its mouth contained a dense object, presumably made of hardened resin, believed by ancient Egyptians to enable the deceased to breathe and speak in the afterlife. Previously, such rituals were only observed in human and sacred bull mummies.
Mobile X-ray Technology for Animal Mummification
The FOBOS XR linear scanning mobile X-ray technology promises new avenues in animal mummification research. It enables multi-angle imaging (up to 110 degrees) to unveil secrets for specialists.
The mobility allows on-site mummy examinations, avoiding unnecessary sample transportation to research labs. An example scan of a limb, provided in the subsequent article, showcases the capabilities of FOBOS XR.
Human Mummification
Main research objectives for diagnostic visualization of ancient human mummies included medical and archaeological purposes. This involved searching for adornments in Egyptian mummy wrappings and anthropological goals such as determining gender and age.
Standard X-rays revealed numerous pathologies, from degenerative (arthritis, atheroma) to infectious (parasites) and bone-related conditions.
In conclusion, mummy research, incorporating radiological examinations, informs researchers about potential damages, valuable contents within sarcophagi, and the necessity of unwrapping.
Each study’s uniqueness, be it a mummy or a swamp body, underscores the need for a tailored approach. In this context, FOBOS XR demonstrates its uniqueness in such extraordinary cases. With a large scanning field and a capacity of up to 295 kg, it allows for efficient full-body scans within seconds, facilitating in-depth analysis.
The unique Linear Slot X-Ray Technology on FOBOS XR proves to be a groundbreaking solution for the study of mummies, decomposing bodies, and various remains.
Radiological Insights in Mummy Research
Over 120 years of radiological research development have yielded remarkable progress in studying the internal structures of objects. The adoption of X-ray technology, especially in the mobile domain, revolutionizes our understanding of mummies, emphasizing the importance of preserving historical integrity while unraveling unique mysteries through tailored research approaches.
