Recycled Blessings: An Investigative Case Study of a Rewrapped Egyptian Votive Mummy Using Novel and Established 3D Imaging Techniques

Abstract

This case study was the first of its kind, where neutron computed tomography (CT) was applied to a wrapped mummified animal. Conventional X‐ray CT was also used to allow for meaningful comparison, and complementary data for a comprehensive investigation. Previous applications of both techniques are limited to metallic objects, such as bronze Buddhas. The mummy used in this study (IA.2402) is dated between the Third Intermediate Period (1069–664 bce) to Late Period (664–332 bce) according to the wrapping style, and was originally believed to contain a complete skeleton of a feline. However, precise date and provenance were unknown. Our results prove the presence of only partial juvenile feline remains, and provide a date range for artefact creation (900–804 bce ± 30) and alteration (367–204 bce ± 30). Therefore, this study implements an established imaging technique (neutron CT) in a novel way, while preserving and conserving the intrinsic value of the artefact through non‐destructive investigation.

Digitally Excavating the Hidden Secrets of an Egyptian Animal Mummy: a Comparative Neutron and X-ray CT Study

“…Scans were acquired in a matter of seconds and processed using InteleViewer 4-11-1-P130 for various filters (bone and soft tissue), and reconstructed in 3D using RadiAnt DICOM Viewer 3.4.2. For more detailed parameters, please refer to Raymond et al (2019).…”

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Here we present further analysis and interpretation of our recently published work (Raymond et al 2019) on a mummified cat (IA.2402) on loan from the Australian Institute of Archaeology (AIA) in Melbourne, Australia. This was the first published case to implement Xray and neutron CT to votive animal mummies, and is the first in a series of similar studies undertaken at ANSTO.

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“…In conjunction with this method of study, it is also important that the archaeological community finds other appropriate, and minimally to nondestructive techniques to study and understand ancient mummification methods. Neutron tomography was chosen for this case study of a votive animal mummy, as a comparative and (Raymond, unpublished, 2017), and recent Archaeometry publication (Raymond et al 2019).…”

An earliest Triassic age forTasmaniolimulusand comments on synchrotron tomography of Gondwanan horseshoe crabs

“…The increasing availability of three-dimensional (3D) imaging techniques in the preceding two decades has revolutionised the acquisition of morphological data from both biological ( Hita Garcia et al, 2017 ; Parapar et al, 2017 ; Landschoff et al, 2018 ; Marcondes Machado, Passos & Giribet, 2019 ; Raymond et al, 2019 ) and palaeontological specimens ( Sutton, 2008 ; Pardo & Anderson, 2016 ; Liu, Rühr & Wesener, 2017 ; Liu et al, 2019 ; Forel, Poulet-Crovisier & Korat, 2021 ). Traditional lab-based micro-computed tomography (CT), along with more sophisticated synchrotron radiation X-ray tomography (SRXT) and neutron micro-tomography (NCT) have permitted non-destructive visualisation of previously unknown and inaccessible morphological features for taxa across all of Metazoa ( Donoghue et al, 2006 ; Tafforeau et al, 2006 ; Sutton, 2008 ; Metscher, 2009 ; Motchurova-Dekova & Harper, 2010 ; Faulwetter et al, 2013 ; Faulwetter et al, 2014 ; Herrera et al, 2020 ; Snyder et al, 2020 ).…”

Neutron tomography of sealed copper alloy animal coffins from ancient Egypt

“…These properties have successfully been applied to cultural heritage studies: revealing the organic content of bronze Tibetan Buddha statues 21,22 and relics inside an altar stone 23 ; examining the manufacture of a bronze ship model 24 ; and mapping corrosion phases in iron swords 25 . Neutron tomography has also been compared with X-ray CT in the study of a wrapped cat mummy 26 . In a 1985 study by Jett, Sturman, and Drayman-Weisser, a bronze falcon statue in the Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, was found to contain bird bones by use of an endoscope inserted through a small opening in its head.…”