Vast numbers of votive mummies were produced in Egypt during the Late Pharaonic, Ptolemaic, and Roman periods. Although millions remain in situ, many were removed and have ultimately entered museum collections around the world. There they have often languished as uncomfortable reminders of antiquarian practices with little information available to enhance their value as artefacts worthy of conservation or display. A multi-disciplinary research project, based at the University of Manchester, is currently redressing these issues. One recent aspect of this work has been the characterization of natural products employed in the mummification of votive bundles. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and the well-established biomarker approach, analysis of 24 samples from 17 mummy bundles has demonstrated the presence of oils/fats, natural waxes, petroleum products, resinous exudates, and essential oils. These results confirm the range of organic materials employed in embalming and augment our understanding of the treatment of votives. In this first systematic initiative of its kind, initial findings point to possible trends in body treatment practices in relation to chronology, geography, and changes in ideology which will be investigated as the study progresses. Detailed knowledge of the substances used on individual bundles has also served to enhance their value as display items and aid in their conservation.
Human mummies have long been studied by using imaging as a primary investigative method. Mummified animal remains from ancient Egypt are less well researched, yet much can be learned about species diversity and the methods of preservation. Noninvasive imaging methods enable mummy bundles to remain intact, with no detrimental physical effects, thus ensuring protection of a valuable archaeological resource. This article is based on the research experience gathered during 13 years (2000-2012) with 152 animal mummies held in the collections of 17 museums in the United Kingdom. Conventional radiography, computed radiography, digital radiography, and computed tomography (CT) available in the clinical setting were used to assess the value of each imaging modality in the study of animal mummies and related material. Radiography proved to be an excellent research method that provided initial insight into the contents of the mummy bundle, and CT contributed additional useful detail in some cases. Paleoradiologic analyses enabled information on mummy bundle contents to be proved, including the nature of the skeletal remains and the methods of mummification. An optimum method involving radiography and CT is described.
Non-destructive assessment of wrapped mummified animal remains from ancient Egypt using imaging techniques is the most ethically viable manner by which to investigate bundle contents. Bundles studied to date revealed complete and incomplete animal skeletons, multiple individuals (or parts thereof) wrapped together in one bundle, non-skeletal material, organic matter and anomalies of unknown origin. The identification of animal species using imaging alone can be fraught with difficulty, especially in cases in which the skeleton is incomplete and diagnostic elements are lost or significantly damaged. This paper describes the radiographic investigation of a mummy bundle wrapped in the form of a canid, a species closely associated with ancient Egyptian embalming deities. Computed tomography (CT) was performed, and the bundle contents were computer modelled, leading to the production of a laser sintered 3D replica. Imaging identified three skeletal fragments carefully positioned to act as structural support for the bundle; however, radiographic data proved inadequate to enable definitive identification of these elements. 3D printing enabled direct comparison with skeletal reference collections and confirmed that the bones were of human origin. This paper demonstrates that imaging of wrapped animal mummy bundles and 3D printing of unidentified elements or non-skeletal anomalies will assist in their accurate identification in a non-destructive manner.
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