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PubMed1975

[Dental and mandibular studies on mummies. Contribution of a stomatologist].

This is the sequence to an investigation on a mummy, 1965. Two further mummies could be examined: the first, a woman about 34 years old, from the 1st to 3rd century, shows similar advanced destruction of the teeth as the mummy investigated in 1965, caused by sand in the hand milled bread flour. This caused an early loss of molars by exaggerated abrasion, exposure of the pulps and periodontal bone loss. There was no evidence of occlusal caries. The second mummy was a 18-year-old young woman, 800-700 b. C. From the inscriptions on the sarcophagus name, family and living circumstances could be found. The same damages were found here, there was only a gradual difference owing to age difference. An interesting special finding was the absence of lip closure and the postmortal damage to the front teeth which may have been caused by the ritual of mouth opening.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Renaissance mummies in Italy.

The paleopathological study of 40 Italian Renaissance mummies has allowed us to perform about 20 diagnoses, of which 5 concern infectious (smallpox, hepatitis, condyloma, syphilis and pneumonia), 4 metabolic (obesity, atherosclerosis, gallstones and uric acid nephrolithiasis), 2 articular (DISH and rheumatoid arthritis) and 2 neoplastic (skin apithelioma and colon adenocarcinoma) diseases. The mummy of an anonymous child, dated back to the 16th century (C14=1569 +/- 60), presented a diffuse vesiculo-pustular exanthema. Macroscopic aspects and regional distribution suggested smallpox, while EM reavealed many egg-shaped, virus-like particles (250 x 50 nm), with a central dense core. Following incubation with anti-smallpox virus antiserum and protein A-gold complex immunostaining, the particles resulted completely covered with protein A-gold. These results clearly show that this Neapolitan child died of a severe form of smallpox some four centuries ago. The mummy of Maria of Aragon, Marquise of Vasto (1503-1568), reavealed on the left arm an oval, cutaneous ulcer (15x10 nm) with linen dressing. Indirect immunofluorescence with anti-treponema pallidum antibody identified a large number of filaments with the morphological characteristics of fluorescent treponemes. EM evidenced typical spirochetes, with axial fibril. These findings clearly demonstrate a treponemal, probably venereal, infection. The mummy of Ferrante I of Aragon, King of Naples (1431-1494), revealed an adenocarcinoma extensively infiltrating the muscles of the small pelvis. A molecular study of the neoplastic tissue evidenced a typical mutation of the K-ras gene codon 12:the normal sequence GGT (glycine) was altered into GAT (aspartic acid). At present this genetic change is the most frequent mutation of the K-ras gene in sporadic colorectal cancer. The alimentary "environment" of the Neapolitan court of the XV century, with its abundance of natural alimentary alkylating agents, well explains this acquired mutation. These and other diseases as, for example, a fatal puerperal complication, a thyroid goiter, a case of Wilson's cirrhosis, some cases of anthracosis and other peculiar traumatic conditions, such as a mortal stab-wound, can elucidate the pathocenosis of the wealthy classes of the Italian Renaissance.

History, 16th Century↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Evaluation of preservation and the collagen structure state in the mummy tissues].

The content and state of collagen in skin, muscle and bone of 2500-year-old Altai mummies were studied. Collagen is the predominant protein in studied tissues of the mummies. High degree of the resistance of collagen to the effect of various proteases (collagenase, pronase, pepsin) and to alkline and acidic hydrolysis suggests on the considerable chemical modification of tissue collagen structures of the mummy. The possibility of increased collagen cross-linkages in tissues of the mummies during long-term storage and of nonenzymatic glycosylation of collagen leading to the formation an Amadori products and other modified structures are discussed.

Bone and Bones↗
PubMed2006

[Condition and mechanism of formation of mummy in Shanghai region].

To investigates the condition and the mechanism of the formation of mummy in Shanghai region. Three cases of mummy were normaly examinated. It showed that the formation condition of mummy were influenced by season, scene, and the corpse keeping methods etc. In warm and damp southern region in Shanghai, the mummy formation depended on lower temperature, dry environment season, dehydrated and hunger before death, and interfered factors like ventilating and turning over corpse frequently.

Autopsy↗
PubMed1996

Genotyping of ABO blood group system by PCR and RFLP on mummies discovered at Taklamakan desert in 1912.

ABO genotyping was carried out using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method on the dried remains of nine human mummies which had been discovered at Taklamakan desert in 1912. In all the nine mummies, ABO genotype could be determined as BO type, and ABO phenotype of the eight mummies with hair specimen could be revealed as B type using absorption-elution method. These results mean that ABO phenotype estimated from its genotype by PCR-RFLP was consistent with that by absorption-elution method in all of the eight cases examined. And in the other one child mummy, ABO phenotype could not be examined because of no hair specimen. Although it is impossible to assess the allele frequency of ABO blood group system in the populations having lived in Gao Chang at that time, the present study shows a possibility of ABO genotyping from ancient human remains.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed1998

Brief communication: twentieth-century replication of an Egyptian mummy: implications for paleopathology.

Replication in a modern human cadaver of ancient Egyptian mummification focused on tools used by ancient Egyptian embalmers, the use of natron (a mixture of sodium carbonate, bicarbonate, and chloride) in the preparation of the mummy, surgical procedures in the removal of the viscera and brain, and histologic examination of the viscera. The first three areas have been reported separately (Brier and Wade [1997] ZAS 124:89-100). In this paper, we demonstrate a degree of histologic preservation comparable to that seen in Egyptian mummies, indicating the effectiveness of ancient mummification and that the histologic appearance of such mummies is little altered by the passage of millennia.

Aged↗
PubMed1980

Autopsies on two native American Mummies.

An interdisciplinary team performed autopsies on an adult male and an infant male mummy from the American Southwest. Cause of death has not been determined for the infant. The presence of an unhealed skull fracture associated with an apparent hematoma in the adult male is suggestive of trauma as the cause of death in the adult. Evidence of disease is minimal. Analysis of powder thought to be dried blood from the thoracic cavity of the adult suggests the presence of human IgG. The instability of this protein may indicate the presence of proteolytic activity by enzymes that degrade immunoglobulins upon rehydration. The possibility of enzymatic degradation of proteins will be an important factor in future studies of such immunoglobulins in mummy remains and also indicates the importance of maintaining the desiccated condition of mummy tissues.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Immunohistochemical detection of interstitial collagens in bone and cartilage tissue remnants in an infant Peruvian mummy.

We investigated the immunohistochemical presence of various collagen types in bone and cartilage tissue from an infant Peruvian mummy dating between 500 and 1000 A.D. which had been excavated at the necropolis of Las Trancas in the Nazca region in Peru. Following careful rehydration and decalcification of the tissue, the mummy tissue showed morphologically good preservation of the matrix, which could be shown to be composed of various collagen types in a typical pattern. Bone consisted of a collagen I matrix with a small rim of collagen III and V at the endosteal lining and a pericellular collagen V staining around osteocytic holes. In the hypertrophic cartilage of the epiphyseal growth plate, a typical pattern of collagen types II and X could be found. These observations provide evidence that in well-preserved mummy tissue the antigenic determinants of major matrix components are still adequately preserved for an immunohistochemical analysis. This technique may thus be a very helpful tool for the analysis of pathologic processes of historic bone tissue. It may also allow in certain circumstances a distinction between pseudopathologic tissue destruction and pathologic tissue alteration.

Bone and Bones↗
PubMed2006

Molecular characterization of a pre-Columbian mummy and in situ coprolite.

The history of Homo sapiens dispersal around the world and inherent interpopulation contacts and conflicts has given rise to several transitions in his relationships with the natural world, with the final result of changes in the patterns of infectious disease (McMichael [2001] Ecosystem Health 7:107-115). Of particular interest, in this context, is the contact between Amerindians and Europeans that started at the end of the 15th century, and the resulting exchange of microbes. We successfully recovered ancient DNA from a pre-Columbian mummy from Cuzco (Peru), radiocarbon-dated to 980-1170 AD, for which consistent mtDNA amplifications and sequences were obtained. The analysis of mtDNA revealed that the mummy's haplogroup was characteristic of Native American populations. We also investigated a sample of feces directly isolated from the intestines of the mummy, using a polymerase chain reaction system designed to detect the broadest spectrum of bacterial DNAs. The analysis of results, following a criterion of "paleoecological consistency" (Rollo and Marota [1998] Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. [Biol.] 354: 111-119), demonstrated that some vestiges of the original microbial flora of the feces were preserved. In particular, we were able to identify the DNA of Haemophylus parainfluenzae, thus suggesting that this recently recognized pathogen was present in precontact Native Americans.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1988

Paleoradiologic evaluation of the Egyptian royal mummies.

We examined radiographs of 12 Egyptian royal mummies obtained by two of the authors (W.R. and J.E.H.) and never before published. These radiographs demonstrate findings not previously described in Egyptian mummies, including congenital lunate-triquetral fusion and destructive skeletal lesions not explainable on the basis of vandalism by tomb robbers. Antemortem fractures, degenerative joint disease, and arterial vascular calcification were also seen. In 11 of the 12 cases, there was chondrocalcinosis of intervertebral discs or menisci, probably an artifact of embalming. Visceral packing and skeletal deformity due to wrapping were observed, as well. Radiology provides important paleopathologic and archeologic information for the accurate, comprehensive study of Egyptian mummies.

Bone Diseases↗
PubMed2005

Virtual reconstruction and morphological analysis of the cranium of an ancient Egyptian mummy.

A mummy of an Egyptian priestess dating from the 22nd dynasty (c. 770 BC), completely enclosed in an anthropoid (human shaped) coffin, was scanned on a CT scanner. An accurate reconstruction of the cranium was generated from 115 x 2 mm CT images using AVS/Express on a SGI computer. Linear measurements were obtained from six orthogonal cranial views and used in a morphometric analysis software package (CRANID). The analyses carried out were both linear and nearest neighbour discriminant analysis. The results show that there is a 52.9% probability that the mummy is an Egyptian female, with a 24.5% probability that the mummy is an African female. Thus the technique confirms that the coffin contains an Egyptian female, which is consistent with the inscription on the coffin and the shape of the pelvic bones as revealed by plain X-rays. These results show that this technique has potential for analysing forensic cases where the bones are obscured by soft tissue and clothing. This technique may have an application in virtual autopsies.

Archaeology↗
PubMed2004

Paleodermatoses: lessons learned from mummies.

Mummies, the preserved remains of living beings from former times, bear witness across millennia to the maladies plaguing humankind. Disease, older than humanity, is better understood when examined in the context of history. Paleopathology, literally meaning "ancient suffering", is the study of disease through evaluation of ancient remains. This area of increasing medical interest offers insights into the management of public health issues and disease epidemiology. This article provides an introduction and overview to paleodermatology, the branch of dermatology concerned with the evaluation of diseases associated with the integument by examination of ancient human remains. Mummy sources, how they were made and used throughout history, and the multidisciplinary approach used to study skin diseases found in mummies is briefly described. Despite pervasive pseudopathology, a remarkable array of diseases are well substantiated in the paleorecord, including infectious, heritable, nutritional, hormonal, acquired, iatrogenic, and neoplastic disorders. Legitimate ethical concerns have been raised in the use of human remains for any purpose, with the lack of informed consent eliciting accusations of exploitation. While these studies are undertaken with certain risks, such as the acquisition of potentially dangerous or extinct infections, paleodermatology offers a unique and historical perspective on the afflictions of the skin and the way of all flesh.

History, Ancient↗
PubMed1992

Stillbirths, mummies, abortions, and early embryonic death.

Stillbirths, mummies, abortions, and early embryonic death have a substantial impact on the profitability of a farm in both endemic and epidemic conditions. Fetal death is highly dependent on stage of gestation. Implantation occurs around day 14 postmating in sows, and fetal death of an entire litter at this time usually results in a regular return to service. If more than four embryos remain alive, the sow may go on to farrow normally. If fetal death occurs after implantation but before calcification (around 35 days gestation), the sow will either return to estrus at an irregular interval or will farrow a normal litter of reduced size. Although fetuses are normally resorbed prior to calcification, fetal death after that stage of development leads to mummification. Abortions are more directly related to maternal control of pregnancy than fetal failure. Stillbirths are those pigs that appear normal at birth but have lungs that do not float in water. Causes of fetal death can be divided into infectious and noninfectious categories. Infectious causes perhaps are overemphasized but are certainly important in epidemic situations. Some infectious causes of fetal death are primarily systemic maternal pathogens, whereas others may attack the fetus and/or placenta, directly such as PPV, PEV, PRV, SIRS virus, and Leptospira sp. Several other infectious agents have been associated with fetal death. Noninfectious causes of stillborns, mummies, abortions, and early embryonic death are most common in endemic situations. Most stillbirths are due to difficulty at or around parturition, primarily extended duration causing fetal anoxia. Environmental factors such as increased ambient temperature and seasonal infertility affect death rates, as do specific individual sow characteristics, nutritional factors, and toxicities. The causes of stillborns, mummies, abortions, and early embryonic death are often difficult to ascertain, but the potential rewards make investigation efforts worthwhile.

Abortion, Veterinary↗
PubMed1999

Nasal endoscopy and CT study of Pharaonic and Roman mummies.

In ancient Egypt mummifications were first carried out around 3000 BC. The visceral organs (lungs, stomach, liver and bowel) were removed from the body, cleansed, desiccated and placed in four canopic jars. The brain was removed from the body but was not preserved. Exactly how removal of the brain was accomplished is not clear. This study investigated the route of brain removal during mummification. Nasal endoscopy was carried out on 20 Pharaonic and Roman mummies. CT examination was performed on 2 mummy heads. In all mummies a communication between the cranial and nasal cavities was found passing through the posterior ethmoids and cribriform plates. The cranial cavity was empty. Our results demonstrate that brain removal during mummification was performed endonasally by trained personnel with a good knowledge of anatomy, using special instruments capable of creating a clean-cut endonasal craniotomy.

Egypt↗
PubMed2001

Fecal steroids of the coprolite of a Greenland Eskimo mummy, AD 1475: a clue to dietary sterol intake.

BACKGROUND: Sterols in feces reflect sterols in the diet. In previous analyses of the fecal steroids in 1000-2000-y-old Native American coprolites found in the dry caves of Nevada, we showed that the sterol nucleus was stable. The coprolites provided useful dietary information. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we analyzed the fecal steroids of an Eskimo mummy buried and frozen >500 y ago in Greenland. We compared these analyses with our findings in the coprolites from Nevada and in present-day stool samples from Tarahumara Indians of Mexico and Americans consuming low- and high-cholesterol diets. DESIGN: The fecal material from the Eskimo mummy was subjected to saponification, extraction, and digitonin precipitation. The sterols and bile acids were further analyzed by thin-layer chromatography and gas-liquid chromatography. RESULTS: The fecal steroids of the Greenland Eskimo mummy were remarkably similar to those of present-day stool samples. However, unlike in the stool of modern humans, a portion of the neutral steroids in the coprolite had been converted to sterol epimers. Instead of deoxycholic acid, 3alpha,6beta,12alpha-trihydroxycholanic acid was one of the major fecal bile acids. The plant sterol output in the coprolite was only 0.4% of the output of Americans consuming 250-400 mg plant sterols/d. The ratio of bile acid to cholesterol in the coprolite was similar to that in stool from Tarahumara Indians consuming a low-cholesterol diet. CONCLUSION: The sterol nucleus is stable when frozen. The analysis of coprolite showed that the young Eskimo woman had consumed a diet very low in plant sterols and moderate to low in cholesterol content.

Bile Acids and Salts↗
PubMed2001

The museum's mummies: an inside view.

We applied medical and scientific methodology in a study of the mummies in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, New York, by computed tomographic scanning and other radiographic methods. These noninvasive procedures allow us to "unwrap" these mummies without unwrapping them. This is, in effect, technology transfer of routine diagnostic techniques used in medicine to Egyptology. After this noninvasive information-gathering procedure, the mummies are preserved intact for possible future investigations that may be more sophisticated and more informative. The data are presented and put into perspective by a review of pertinent literature.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Detection of mycobacterial DNA in Andean mummies.

The identification of genetic material from pathogenic organisms in ancient tissues provides a powerful tool for the study of certain infectious diseases in historic populations. We have obtained tissue samples from the genital areas of 12 mummies in the American Museum of Natural History collection in New York, N.Y. The mummies were excavated in the Andes Mountain region of South America, and radiocarbon dating estimates that the mummies date from A.D. 140 to 1200. DNAs were successfully extracted from all tissues and were suitable for PCR analysis. PCRs were carried out to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and mycobacteria other than M. tuberculosis (MOTB). M. tuberculosis complex was detected in 2 out of 12 samples, and MOTB were detected in 7 samples. This study confirmed the adequate preservation of genetic material in mummified tissues and the existence of mycobacteria, including M. tuberculosis, in historic populations in South America.

DNA, Bacterial↗
PubMed2002

The mummy's curse: historical cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine survival of individuals exposed to the "mummy's curse" reputedly associated with the opening of the tomb of Tutankhamen in Luxor, Egypt, between February 1923 and November 1926. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: 44 Westerners identified by Howard Carter as present in Egypt at the specified dates, 25 of whom were potentially exposed to the curse. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Length of survival after date of potential exposure. RESULTS: In the 25 people exposed to the curse the mean age at death was 70 years (SD 12) compared with 75 (13) in those not exposed (P=0.87 for difference). Survival after the date of exposure was 20.8 (15.2) v 28.9 (13.6) years respectively (P=0.95 for difference). Female sex was a predictor for survival (P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant association between exposure to the mummy's curse and survival and thus no evidence to support the existence of a mummy's curse.

Aged↗