Scenes from the Past: CT-guided Endoscopic Recovery of a Foreign Object from the Cranial Cavity of an Ancient Egyptian Mummy

Abstract

The aim of this study was to test the value of computed tomography (CT)-guided endoscopy in the scientific study of mummified remains and the recovery of unidentified objects from ancient mummified remains. CT-guided endoscopy was performed on an Egyptian mummy from the Late Period to help retrieve an unidentified object from its skull. The combined use of CT and endoscopy facilitated the recovery of the object, minimizing further damage to the remains and to the object itself. The successful recovery of the brittle object allowed detailed analysis of the item to be performed in an attempt to determine the nature of its presence in the cranial cavity. It was confirmed that the object was a monocotyledon stem fragment. Relying on the existing literature on mummification and excerebration methods in ancient Egypt, we concluded that the stick was probably used for transnasal removal of the brain. The results of this study demonstrate the great potential of CT-guided endoscopy for minimally invasive recovery of small unidentified items from mummies that could yield important information about mummification procedures and the materials used to preserve bodies.

Self-Assembly of Materials and Their Applications

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An Approach to the Diagnosis of Craniofacial Fibrous Dysplasia from the 2500‐Year‐Old Remains of a Skull from Ancient China

“…This non‐invasive imaging method can reveal radiographic features in blind spots and reduce any possible damage to the specimen by avoiding other more invasive endoscopic techniques (Cavka et al . ). Various CT reconstruction techniques have had a significant impact on bioarchaeology (Cavka et al .…”

“…Various CT reconstruction techniques have had a significant impact on bioarchaeology (Cavka et al . ; Wade et al . ; Thompson et al .…”

Radiological findings in ancient Egyptian canopic jars: comparing three standard clinical imaging modalities (x-rays, CT and MRI)

“…The composition of bioarchaeological specimens is often very heterogeneous, and materials of high density and atomic number, such as funerary accessories, jewelry, tools, weapons or body adornments, can be encountered [ 7 , 12 , 13 ]. On the other hand, bioarchaeological specimens may themselves be contained in dense vessels made of stone or ceramic.…”