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Panzer S, Paladin A, Zesch S, Rosendahl W, Augat P, Thompson RC, Miyamoto MI, Sutherland ML, Allam AH, Wann LS, Sutherland JD, Rowan CJ, Michalik DE, Hergan K, Zink AR. Preservation of the heart in ancient Egyptian mummies: A computed tomography investigation with focus on the myocardium. Clin Anat 2024; 37:587-601. [PMID: 38566474 DOI: 10.1002/ca.24151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The ancient Egyptians considered the heart to be the most important organ. The belief that the heart remained in the body is widespread in the archeological and paleopathological literature. The purpose of this study was to perform an overview of the preserved intrathoracic structures and thoracic and abdominal cavity filling, and to determine the prevalence and computed tomography (CT) characteristics of the myocardium in the preserved hearts of ancient Egyptian mummies. Whole-body CT examinations of 45 ancient Egyptian mummies (23 mummies from the Ägyptisches Museum und Papyrussammlung, Berlin, Germany, and 22 mummies from the Museo Egizio, Turin, Italy) were systematically assessed for preserved intrathoracic soft tissues including various anatomical components of the heart (pericardium, interventricular septum, four chambers, myocardium, valves). Additionally, evidence of evisceration and cavity filling was documented. In cases with identifiable myocardium, quantitative (measurements of thickness and density) and qualitative (description of the structure) assessment of the myocardial tissue was carried out. Heart structure was identified in 28 mummies (62%). In 33 mummies, CT findings demonstrated evisceration, with subsequent cavity filling in all but one case. Preserved myocardium was identified in nine mummies (five male, four female) as a mostly homogeneous, shrunken structure. The posterior wall of the myocardium had a mean maximum thickness of 3.6 mm (range 1.4-6.6 mm) and a mean minimum thickness of 1.0 mm (range 0.5-1.7 mm). The mean Hounsfield units (HU) of the myocardium at the posterior wall was 61 (range, 185-305). There was a strong correlation between the HU of the posterior wall of the myocardium and the mean HU of the muscles at the dorsal humerus (R = 0.77; p = 0.02). In two cases, there were postmortem changes in the myocardium, most probably due to insect infestation. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the myocardium systematically on CT scans of ancient Egyptian mummies. Strong correlations between the densities of the myocardium and skeletal muscle indicated similar postmortem changes of the respective musculature during the mummification process within individual mummies. The distinct postmortem shrinking of the myocardium and the collapse of the left ventriclular cavity in several cases did not allow for paleopathological diagnoses such as myocardial scarring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Panzer
- Department of Radiology, Berufsgenossenschaftliche Unfallklinik Murnau, Murnau, Germany
- Institute of Biomechanics, Berufsgenossenschaftliche Unfallklinik Murnau, Murnau, Germany and Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Alice Paladin
- Institute for Mummy Studies, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | | | | | - Peter Augat
- Institute of Biomechanics, Berufsgenossenschaftliche Unfallklinik Murnau, Murnau, Germany and Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Randall C Thompson
- Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
| | - Michael I Miyamoto
- Division of Cardiology, Mission Heritage Medical Group, Providence Health, Mission Viejo, California, USA
| | - M Linda Sutherland
- Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, MemorialCare Health System, Laguna Hills, California, USA
| | - Adel H Allam
- Department of Cardiology, Al Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - L Samuel Wann
- Division of Cardiology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - James D Sutherland
- Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, MemorialCare Health System, Laguna Hills, California, USA
| | - Chris J Rowan
- Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, Nevada, USA
| | - David E Michalik
- Department of Pediatrics, Irvine School of Medicine, University of California, Orange, California, USA
| | - Klaus Hergan
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Albert R Zink
- Institute for Mummy Studies, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
- Department of Biology II, Anthropology, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
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2
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Seiler R, Eppenberger P, Bickel S, Rühli F. The importance of the nasopharynx and anterior skull base in excerebration techniques from KV40, a New Kingdom Egyptian site. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2021; 305:1938-1946. [PMID: 34837472 PMCID: PMC9543951 DOI: 10.1002/ar.24828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
In ancient Egypt, a unique technique for removing the brain was invented as part of the mummification practice and refined over the centuries. This usually involved piercing the anterior skull base through a nasal passage to remove the brain remnants through that perforation. From 2010 to 2018, an interdisciplinary team of the Universities of Basel and Zurich investigated tomb no. 40 (KV40) in the Valley of the Kings, Luxor, Egypt. Archaeological findings indicate a first burial phase during the mid-18th Dynasty (ca. 1400-1350 BCE) and a second in the 22nd to 25th Dynasty (approx. 900-700 BCE). Repeated looting since ancient times severely damaged and commingled the human remains of the two burial phases. The detailed examination of the skulls showed evidence of different transnasal craniotomy practices. This study aims to provide a systematic presentation of the evidence for different excerebration techniques found in the mummy heads, skulls, and skull fragments from KV40, reflecting the long period of occupancy of this tomb by individuals of different social classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Seiler
- Institute of Evolutionary Medicine (IEM), University of Zurich, Zurich
| | | | - Susanne Bickel
- Department of Ancient Civilisations, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Frank Rühli
- Institute of Evolutionary Medicine (IEM), University of Zurich, Zurich
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Finney R, Shulman LM, Kheirbek RE. The Corpse: Time for Another Look A Review of the Culture of Embalming, Viewing and the Social Construction. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2021; 39:477-480. [PMID: 34219498 DOI: 10.1177/10499091211025757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Embalming of the dead is more common in the United States than anywhere else in the world. Battles far from home during the Civil War with concern for contagion from dead bodies being shipped home compelled President Lincoln to direct the troops to use embalming to allow the return of the Union dead to their homes. Viewings were common with war heroes and culminated with the viewing of Lincoln himself. In the 20th century embalming became a tradition despite substantial evidence indicating environmental and occupational hazards related to embalming fluids and carbon dioxide generated from manufacturing steel coffins before placing in concrete burial vaults. Embalming is promoted and considered helpful to the grieving process. Embalmers are expected to produce an illusion of rest, an image that in some ways disguises death for the benefit of mourners. The dead are carefully displayed in a condition of liminal repose where the 'true' condition is hidden, and death is removed from the actual event. In this paper we highlight the spiritual and cultural complexities of embalming related issues. We propose an innovative process to empower people facing serious illness, and their families to make shared and informed decisions, especially when death is an expected outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Redmond Finney
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Lisa M Shulman
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Raya E Kheirbek
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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CARASCAL MARKB, FONTANILLA IANKENDRICHC, DE UNGRIA MARIACORAZONA. The Ibaloi fire mummies: the art and science of mummification in the Philippines. ANTHROPOL SCI 2021. [DOI: 10.1537/ase.210422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- MARK B. CARASCAL
- Institute of Biology, University of the Philippines, Diliman Quezon City
| | | | - MARIA CORAZON A. DE UNGRIA
- DNA Analysis Laboratory, Natural Sciences Research Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City
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Decorated bodies for eternal life: A multidisciplinary study of late Roman Period stucco-shrouded portrait mummies from Saqqara (Egypt). PLoS One 2020; 15:e0240900. [PMID: 33147238 PMCID: PMC7641350 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
This study focuses on the multidisciplinary investigation of three stucco-shrouded mummies with mummy portrait from Egypt dating from the late 3rd to the middle of the 4th century AD, corresponding to the late Roman Period. These three mummies were excavated in the early 17th and late 19th centuries in the Saqqara necropolis near the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis. Two of them experienced an interesting collection history, when they became part of the collection of the Elector of Saxony and King of Poland August II in Dresden, Germany, in 1728. The investigation includes information about the mummies’ discovery, collection history and shroud decoration obtained through Egyptological expertise. In addition, information on the state of preservation, technique of artificial mummification, age at death, sex, body height and health of the deceased was achieved through computed tomography (CT) analysis. Research yielded an adult male, a middle-aged female and a young female. Due to the rather poorly preserved bodies of the male and middle-aged female, a specific technique of artificial mummification could not be ascertained. Brain and several internal organs of the well-preserved young female were identified. Wooden boards, beads of necklaces, a hairpin, and metal dense items, such as lead seals, nails and two coins or medallions were discovered. Paleopathological findings included carious lesions, Schmorl’s nodes, evidence of arthritis and a vertebral hemangioma. The study revealed insights on the decoration and burial preparation of individuals of upper socioeconomic status living in the late Roman Period, as well as comprehensive bioanthropological information of the deceased.
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Charlier P, Moulherat C, Jacqueline S, Ordureau S, Kissel E, Kuhn G, Vidal PA, Le Fur Y, Joubert H. Internal anatomy replication in a tribal art statue (Songye, 17th c. AD). FORENSIC IMAGING 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fri.2020.200362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Öhrström L, Tekin A, Biedermann P, Morozova I, Habicht M, Gascho D, Bode-Lesniewska B, Imhof A, Rühli F, Eppenberger P. Experimental mummification-In the tracks of the ancient Egyptians. Clin Anat 2020; 33:860-871. [PMID: 31943391 DOI: 10.1002/ca.23568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Understanding natural and artificial postmortem alterations in different tissues of the human body is essential for bioarchaeology, paleogenetics, physical anthropology, forensic medicine, and many related disciplines. With this study, we tried to gain a better understanding of tissue alterations associated with the artificial mummification techniques of ancient Egypt, in particular for mummified visceral organs. We used several entire porcine organs and organ sections (liver, lung, stomach, ileum, and colon), which provided a close approximation to human organs. First, we dehydrated the specimens in artificial natron, before applying natural ointments, according to the ancient literary sources and recent publications. We periodically monitored the temperature, pH value, and weight of the specimens, in addition to radiodensity and volumetric measurements by clinical computed tomography and sampling for histological, bacteriological, and molecular analyses. After seven weeks, mummification was seen completed in all specimens. We observed a considerable loss of weight and volume, as well as similar courses in the decay of tissue architecture but varying levels of DNA degradation. Bacteriologically we did not detect any of the initially identified taxa in the samples by the end of the mummification process, nor any fungi. This feasibility study established an experimental protocol for future experiments modeling ancient Egyptian mummification of visceral organs using human specimens. Understanding desiccation and mummification processes in non-pathological tissues of specific visceral organs may help to identify and interpret disease-specific alterations in mummified tissues in ancient Egyptian canopic jars and organ packages contained in whole mummies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Öhrström
- Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ahmed Tekin
- Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Biedermann
- Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Irina Morozova
- Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Habicht
- Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dominic Gascho
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Beata Bode-Lesniewska
- Institute of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Imhof
- Microbiology Laboratory, Hospital of Langenthal, Langenthal, Switzerland
| | - Frank Rühli
- Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Eppenberger
- Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Oras E, Anderson J, Tõrv M, Vahur S, Rammo R, Remmer S, Mölder M, Malve M, Saag L, Saage R, Teearu-Ojakäär A, Peets P, Tambets K, Metspalu M, Lees DC, Barclay MVL, Hall MJR, Ikram S, Piombino-Mascali D. Multidisciplinary investigation of two Egyptian child mummies curated at the University of Tartu Art Museum, Estonia (Late/Graeco-Roman Periods). PLoS One 2020; 15:e0227446. [PMID: 31945091 PMCID: PMC6964855 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Two ancient Egyptian child mummies at the University of Tartu Art Museum (Estonia) were, according to museum records, brought to Estonia by the young Baltic-German scholar Otto Friedrich von Richter, who had travelled in Egypt during the early 19th century. Although some studies of the mummies were conducted, a thorough investigation has never been made. Thus, an interdisciplinary team of experts studied the remains using the most recent analytical methods in order to provide an exhaustive analysis of the remains. The bodies were submitted for osteological and archaeothanatological study, radiological investigation, AMS radiocarbon dating, chemical and textile analyses, 3D modelling, entomological as well as aDNA investigation. Here we synthesize the results of one of the most extensive multidisciplinary analyses of ancient Egyptian child mummies, adding significantly to our knowledge of such examples of ancient funerary practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ester Oras
- Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Institute of History and Archaeology, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Mari Tõrv
- Institute of History and Archaeology, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Signe Vahur
- Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Riina Rammo
- Institute of History and Archaeology, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Sünne Remmer
- Estonian Forensic Science Institute, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Maarja Mölder
- Estonian Forensic Science Institute, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Martin Malve
- Institute of History and Archaeology, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Lehti Saag
- Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Ragnar Saage
- Institute of History and Archaeology, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Anu Teearu-Ojakäär
- Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Pilleriin Peets
- Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | | | - Mait Metspalu
- Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | | | | | | | - Salima Ikram
- Department of Sociology, Egyptology and Anthropology, American University in Cairo, New Cairo, Egypt
- Department of Ancient Studies, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Dario Piombino-Mascali
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Anthropology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
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Olszewski R, Tilleux C, Hastir JP, Delvaux L, Danse E. Holding Eternity in One's Hand: First Three-Dimensional Reconstruction and Printing of the Heart from 2700 Years-Old Egyptian Mummy. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2018; 302:912-916. [PMID: 30417979 DOI: 10.1002/ar.24021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Revised: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The heart in ancient Egyptian mummification procedure is the central organ that should stay in place in the chest and waiting for the afterlife judgment. Here, we show the first case of three-dimensional (3D) CT scan reconstruction of a mummified heart from a person embalmed in Egypt around 2,700 years ago, and present a 3D printing of the same heart using a low-cost yet accurate 3D printer. A multi-slice computed tomography scanner was used to scan the mummy. We applied the following radiological protocol: 80 keV and 140 keV, 140 mAs, with a slice thickness of 0.9 mm. The mummified heart and ascending aorta were extracted with semi-automatic segmentation. We used a low-cost 3D printer (Up plus 2) using fusion deposition modeling technology. The 3D printed model was then painted with acrylic paint to color code structures of interest. The 3D CT multi-resolution imaging allows us to identify the gross anatomy of the heart, the ascending aorta, the pulmonary arteries, and the presence of multiple atherosclerosis lesions. Using 3D printed model we recognized upper auricle, vein cave inferior, and the two coronary arteries. The brachiocephalic artery, common carotid artery, and left subclavian artery were clearly cut to dissociate the heart from surrounding tissues. This multi-3D approach allows for a better understanding of complex and distorted anatomy of the mummified heart, of paleopathology (arteriosclerosis), and of mummification techniques. Anat Rec, 302:912-916, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael Olszewski
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Cliniques Universitaires Saint Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain, Av. Hippocrate 10, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Caroline Tilleux
- Royal Museums of Art and History, Parc du Cinquantenaire 10, 1000, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jean-Philippe Hastir
- Department of medical imaging, Cliniques universitaires saint Luc, Université catholique de Louvain, Av. Hippocrate 10, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Luc Delvaux
- Royal Museums of Art and History, Parc du Cinquantenaire 10, 1000, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Etienne Danse
- Department of medical imaging, Cliniques universitaires saint Luc, Université catholique de Louvain, Av. Hippocrate 10, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
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Austin A, Gobeil C. Embodying the Divine: A Tattooed Female Mummy from Deir el-Medina. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.4000/bifao.296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Cramer L, Brix A, Matin E, Rühli F, Hussein K. Computed Tomography-Detected Paleopathologies in Ancient Egyptian Mummies. Curr Probl Diagn Radiol 2017; 47:225-232. [PMID: 28823581 DOI: 10.1067/j.cpradiol.2017.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Revised: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Computed tomography (CT)-based analyses of mummies have been performed since the 1970s but, until now, no systematic summary of PubMed®-published data has been performed. The aim was to perform a systematic review of previously published cases and summarize artificial changes and detectable paleopathologies. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data collection from publications on CT analyses of mummies from ancient Egypt until the Greco-Roman period (up to 700 ad) from the PubMed® database (1973-2013) and descriptive data analysis. RESULTS Forty-seven publications on CT-based analyses have been identified, which reported on 189 mummies. Commonly reported artificial changes were destruction of the nasal bone and left-sided lateral abdominal incision for removal of inner organs. Dental and jaw pathologies (n = 42), chronic degenerative changes of skeletal bones (n = 39), and arteriosclerosis (n = 36) were reported in a subfraction of cases while traumatic fractures (n = 16) and other diseases were less often identified. The cause of death was rarely detectable by CT, but a cut through the throat, arrowheads, and bone fracture could be verified by CT. CONCLUSION Standards in documentation of CT devices have changed over the past 40 years, and insufficient documentation limits the interpretation of findings. In ancient Egyptian mummies, most organs have been removed during the mummification process while teeth and jaws are often preserved. Dental pathologies were frequent in ancient Egypt and can indicate personal circumstances and diet. The cause of death is rarely verifiable, but CT scan could be the clue. Although well known in Egyptian mummies, artificial changes may lead to misinterpretation of CT findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Cramer
- Institute of Pathology, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Anke Brix
- Institute of Pathology, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Ekatrina Matin
- Institute of Pathology, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Frank Rühli
- Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Kais Hussein
- Institute of Pathology, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (MHH), Hannover, Germany.
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Prates C, Oliveira C, Sousa S, Ikram S. A kidney's ingenious path to trimillennar preservation: Renal tuberculosis in an Egyptian mummy? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PALEOPATHOLOGY 2015; 11:7-11. [PMID: 28802970 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpp.2015.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Revised: 07/06/2015] [Accepted: 07/23/2015] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Irtieru is a male mummy enclosed in cartonnage, dating to the Third Intermediate Period in the Egyptian collection of the Museu Nacional de Arqueologia in Lisbon. The computed tomography scans of this mummy showed a small dense bean-shaped structure at the left lumbar region. Its anatomical location, morphologic and structural analysis support a diagnosis of end-stage renal tuberculosis. If this diagnosis is correct, this will be the oldest example of kidney tuberculosis, and the first one recorded in an intentionally mummified ancient Egyptian.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Prates
- IMI Imagens Médicas Integradas, Av da República 99 B, 1050-190 Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Carlos Oliveira
- IMI Imagens Médicas Integradas, Av da República 99 B, 1050-190 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sandra Sousa
- IMI Imagens Médicas Integradas, Av da República 99 B, 1050-190 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Salima Ikram
- The American University in Cairo, 113 Kasr El Aini Street, P.O. Box 2511, Cairo 11511, Egypt
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Moissidou D, Day J, Shin DH, Bianucci R. Invasive versus Non Invasive Methods Applied to Mummy Research: Will This Controversy Ever Be Solved? BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:192829. [PMID: 26345295 PMCID: PMC4543116 DOI: 10.1155/2015/192829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2014] [Accepted: 04/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Advances in the application of non invasive techniques to mummified remains have shed new light on past diseases. The virtual inspection of a corpse, which has almost completely replaced classical autopsy, has proven to be important especially when dealing with valuable museum specimens. In spite of some very rewarding results, there are still many open questions. Non invasive techniques provide information on hard and soft tissue pathologies and allow information to be gleaned concerning mummification practices (e.g., ancient Egyptian artificial mummification). Nevertheless, there are other fields of mummy studies in which the results provided by non invasive techniques are not always self-explanatory. Reliance exclusively upon virtual diagnoses can sometimes lead to inconclusive and misleading interpretations. On the other hand, several types of investigation (e.g., histology, paleomicrobiology, and biochemistry), although minimally invasive, require direct contact with the bodies and, for this reason, are often avoided, particularly by museum curators. Here we present an overview of the non invasive and invasive techniques currently used in mummy studies and propose an approach that might solve these conflicts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Despina Moissidou
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical School, National Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 M. Asias Street, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Jasmine Day
- The Ancient Egypt Society of Western Australia Inc., P.O. Box 103, Ballajura, WA 6066, Australia
| | - Dong Hoon Shin
- Division of Paleopathology, Institute of Forensic Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 110-799, Republic of Korea
| | - Raffaella Bianucci
- Department of Public Health and Paediatric Sciences, Legal Medicine Section, University of Turin, Corso Galileo Galilei 22, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Center for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1066, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway
- Anthropologie Bioculturelle, Droit, Ethique et Santé, Faculté de Médecine-Nord, Aix-Marseille Université, 15 boulevard Pierre Dramard, 13344 Marseille Cedex 15, France
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Bianucci R, Habicht ME, Buckley S, Fletcher J, Seiler R, Öhrström LM, Vassilika E, Böni T, Rühli FJ. Shedding New Light on the 18th Dynasty Mummies of the Royal Architect Kha and His Spouse Merit. PLoS One 2015. [PMID: 26200778 PMCID: PMC4511739 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The mummies of Kha and his wife Merit were found intact in an undisturbed tomb in western Thebes near the ancient workers’ village of Deir el-Medina. Previous MDCT (this abbreviation needs spelling out) investigations showed that the bodies of Kha and Merit did not undergo classical royal 18th Dynasty artificial mummification, which included removal of the internal organs. It was, therefore, concluded that the retention of the viscera in the body, combined with an absence of canopic jars in the burial chamber, meant the couple underwent a short and shoddy funerary procedure, despite their relative wealth at death. Nevertheless, all internal organs - brain, ocular bulbs/ocular nerves, thoracic and abdominal organs - showed a very good state of preservation, which contradicts the previous interpretation above. In order to better understand the type of mummification used to embalm these bodies, both wrapped mummies were reinvestigated using new generation X-ray imaging and chemical microanalyses Here we provide evidence that both individuals underwent a relatively high quality of mummification, fundamentally contradicting previous understanding. Elucidated “recipes”, whose components had anti-bacterial and anti-insecticidal properties, were used to treat their bodies. The time and effort undoubtedly employed to embalm both Kha and Merit and the use of imported costly resins, notably Pistacia, do not support the previously held view that the two individuals were poorly mummified. Despite a lack of evisceration, the approach clearly allowed their in situ preservation as well as affording a fairly successful mummification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaella Bianucci
- Department of Public Health and Paediatric Sciences, Legal Medicine Section, Laboratory of Physical Anthropology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Laboratoire d’Anthropologie bio-culturelle, Droit, Etique & Santé (Adés), Faculté de Médecine de Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Michael E. Habicht
- Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Roger Seiler
- Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lena M. Öhrström
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Eleni Vassilika
- Fondazione Museo delle Antichità Egizie di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Thomas Böni
- Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Frank J. Rühli
- Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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Wade AD, Beckett RG, Conlogue GJ, Gonzalez R, Wade R, Brier B. MUMAB: A Conversation With the Past. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2015; 298:954-73. [DOI: 10.1002/ar.23152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D. Wade
- Anthropology Department, University of Western Ontario; Ontario N6A 3K7 Canada
| | - Ronald G. Beckett
- Bioanthropology Research Institute, Quinnipiac University; North Haven Connecticut
| | - Gerald J. Conlogue
- Bioanthropology Research Institute, Quinnipiac University; North Haven Connecticut
| | - Ramon Gonzalez
- Bioanthropology Research Institute, Quinnipiac University; North Haven Connecticut
| | - Ronn Wade
- School of Medicine, University of Maryland; Baltimore Maryland
| | - Bob Brier
- Philosophy Department, Long Island University; Brookville, New York
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Nelson AJ, Wade AD. Impact: Development of a Radiological Mummy Database. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2015; 298:941-8. [DOI: 10.1002/ar.23130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew John Nelson
- Department of Anthropology; University of Western Ontario; London Ontario N6A 5C2 Canada
| | - Andrew David Wade
- Department of Anthropology; University of Western Ontario; London Ontario N6A 5C2 Canada
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Beckett RG. Paleoimaging: a review of applications and challenges. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2014; 10:423-36. [DOI: 10.1007/s12024-014-9541-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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