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PubMed1994

Skull of a 5,300-year-old mummy: reproduction and investigation with CT-guided stereolithography.

PURPOSE: In September 1991, a mummified corpse was discovered soon after it was released by the receding ice of the Similaun glacier in the Tyrolean Alps. This body proved to be an astonishingly well-preserved man from the late Neolithic Age or early Bronze Age. To preserve the fragile mummy, scientific investigations were required to be as noninvasive and nondestructive as possible. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A radiologic investigation that included conventional radiography, digital radiography, and whole-body computed tomography (CT) was performed from the CT data, the skull was duplicated by means of stereolithography. RESULTS: The copy of the prehistoric skull was validated by means of comparison of measurements obtained from the original CT images and from external physical measurements of the intact head of the mummy. CONCLUSION: The CT images, radiologic findings, and duplicated skull are expected to provide anthropologists and other interested scientists relatively accurate information without the need to handle the mummy, to expose it to the considerable risks of repeated partial thawing, or to perform invasive exploratory studies such as autopsy.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

[View of the past: Roentgenography of an Egyptian mummy].

Report concerning roentgenographic examinations of an Egyptian mummy dating back to 900 B.C. from the "Museum für Völkerkunde Freiburg/Breisgau". The study was performed to detect funeral gifts which can be found otherwise only if the linnen bandage of the mummy is destroyed. Extraordinary findings were degenerative osteoarthritis of the spine and joints, pseudo-gout, marked caries of several teeth and signs for a healed occipital osteomyelitis. Suggestions are discussed about a particular compression of thorax and pelvis which is apparently due to the technique of bandaging. This was not observed in examinations of other mummies. Fractures of the first to third phalanges suggest forceful removal of precious rings. A circular-shaped opening in the parietal bone and a small radiodense foreign body which projects over the pharynx remain unexplained.

Dental Caries↗
PubMed2001

Paleoandrology and prostatic hyperplasia in Italian mummies (XV-XIX century).

Prostatic hyperplasia, a very common condition today, was well known in the past as cause for bladder distension. The difficulty to identify, at autopsy of natural or artificial mummies, even a normal-sized prostate is probably the result of putrefaction processes and its usually dramatic size reduction as well. We report two ancient cases of prostatic hyperplasia recently observed in natural mummies from Italy. The first case regards Pandolfo III Malatesta (1370-1427), a leading figure of the Italian Renaissance. He was a valiant soldier and horseman with a very active life style. The tomb, containing his naturally mummified body, has recently been discovered in Fano (Marche, Central Italy). After careful X-ray and videographic examination, the autopsy showed good preservation of the skeletal muscles, cartilage, internal and external organs, included prostate gland and penis. Macroscopic examination revealed a staghorn calculus (calcium urate) of the left kidney and a severe enlargement of the prostate, with calcifications detectable by X-ray and large nodules protruding in the lumen of an ectatic urethra. Histology shows fibrous brands of connective and muscular tissue surrounding circular and oblong lacunae, with no preservation of epithelial structures. The macroscopic and histological picture allowed us to diagnose prostatic nodular hyperplasia. The second case (XIX century) concerns the natural mummy of an anonymous 50-60 years old man, found in ancient friary near L'Aquila (central Italy), which underwent computed tomography and a complete autopsy. Pelvic CT scans showed distended urinary bladder and a ring of dense tissue at the site of the prostate. At autopsy the bladder measured 7 x 6 x 5 cm and the prostate was 4 x 5 x 3 cm; prostatic urethra had a diameter of x 2 cm. Histology revealed dense fibrous tissue containing muscular fibers and roundish cavities of variable size, filled with eosinophil, PAS-positive material. Concretions were also present in some of these spaces. Strong immunohistochemical reactivy for PSA was observed in this material. The existence of glandular structures containing eosinophil, PAS-positive material, immunoreactive for PSA, confirmed the prostatic nature of the specimen, already suspected after CT scan and gross examination. The presence itself of the prostate, its histological picture, the preserved and distended urinary bladder, in addition to the age of the subject, supported the diagnosis of prostatic hyperplasia.

History, 15th Century↗
PubMed2004

Artificial mummies from the Andes.

In 1997 agricultural workers, turned into looters, found an intact funerary site in the cloud forest in northeastern Peru. A prompt archaeological rescue project permitted the recovery of an important collection of mummies and artifacts that are providing important insights about the archaeology of the Chachapoya people that established in this area around 900 AD up to the Inca conquest of this territory around the year 1475. The mummies recovered showed evidence of cultural practices devised and used to assure the preservation of the human bodies. Such practices are also reported for among Chinchorro and Chiribaya mummies in the Andes. A cultural interpretation of these funerary activities is discussed connecting the practice of the cult to the ancestors to the access and management of resources and territory.

Embalming↗
PubMed1978

Characterization of mummy bone ochronotic pigment.

Radiologic examination of an Egyptian mummy showed characteristic radiologic changes seen in ochronosis. Desiring to confirm the diagnosis of ochronosis, punch biopsy samples of ochronotic mummy bone were removed for biochemical analysis. An organic solvent extraction procedure was developed to selectively isolate mummy ochronotic pigment, and spectroscopic methods were used to characterize the pigment as a homogentisic-acid--derived polymer.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

The case of the Egyptian mummy head.

This article describes how biocommunicators became an integral part of an interdisciplinary team of health sciences professionals charged with learning more about an ancient Egyptian mummy head. Presented and discussed are events and activities concerning the discovery of a 2,000 year old mummy head, the development and interactions of the interdisciplinary team, and the involvement of biocommunicators and their efforts to research and reconstruct through airbrush illustrations how the mummy head would have appeared prior to mummification.

Communication↗
PubMed2005

DNA extraction from bovine mummified fetuses and detection of factor XI gene deficiency in the mummies.

Genomic DNA extracted from bovine mummified tissue is valuable material for detection of some genes that may contribute to fetal abnormalities. In this study bovine genomic DNA was extracted from the hardened tissue samples of ten bovine mummified fetuses. The amount of genomic DNA extracted from 2 g of the mummified tissues by the phenol/chloroform-ethanol method was low (less than 4 microg/ml) for all samples. The extracted DNA was then amplified by the GenomiPhi DNA amplification system. After amplification, the amount of DNA was increased to more than 100 microg/ml for all samples. This amplification system was shown to be a good tool for amplifying the genomic DNA of the mummified fetuses. The amplified genomic DNA was used for testing the mummies for Factor XI gene deficiency, an autosomal recessive deficiency involved in the early stages of the intrinsic blood coagulation pathway. Exon 12 of the Factor XI gene of the mummies was amplified by PCR. Two of the ten mummified fetuses were heterozygous for the Factor XI gene as indicated by the presence of two amplified DNA fragments of 320 bp and 244 bp. Factor XI deficiency has already been described in Holstein cattle. However, no report is available for bovine fetus. In this study, DNA was extracted and amplified from the bovine mummified fetuses, and the samples were successfully tested for Factor XI gene deficiency in the mummies.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[The significance of mummy cell in the diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease].

The mummy cell is a necrotic single cell in lympho-reticular lesion, and it is characterized by the pattern of distributing isolated in a lympho-reticular background without detachment from the surrounding cells, staining deeply or amphibic in mature both nuclei and cytoplasm and the ghost nuclei are often recognized. Totally, 95 lympho-node biopsies were reviewed, the mummy cells can be found in 21/24 of Hodgkin's disease and 18/71 of other lesions (NHL, reactive hyperplasia etc.). They are more common in nodular sclerosis (NS) and lymphocyte depletion (LD) among the four subtypes of Hodgkin's disease. It is worthwhile to note the suggestive role of mummy cells in pathological diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease.

Hodgkin Disease↗
PubMed1997

Non-invasive computed tomography and three-dimensional reconstruction of the dentition of a 2,800-year-old Egyptian mummy exhibiting extensive dental disease.

A second CT scan of the mummy Djedmaatesankh, which is housed in the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario, has been undertaken after an interval of some 15 years. The image data set of her dentition and the associated tissues acquired from 3 mm thick x 3 mm spacing slices was transferred to an ISG Allegro work station where two-dimensional reformats and three-dimensional reconstructions were produced. This non-invasive examination provided information on dental disease that is, in a number of respects, an advance on that which previously could be obtained from mummies by the traditional methods of visual inspection after unwrapping and by two-dimensional radiography. The two- and three-dimensional images reveal that: three molars are missing and the right maxillary canine is impacted; the rest of the dentition is afflicted by severe attrition, caries and periodontal disease; and, of the 28 teeth present in the mouth, 24 exhibit exposure of their dental pulps and 18 are afflicted by periapical lesions including five that could have contributed to a large secondarily infected radicular cyst. The cyst have displaced the maxillary antrum and enlarged the maxilla on its lateral aspect and the vault of the palate on its medial aspect. Pus from the cyst may have drained through five different sinuses. In life, Djedmaatesankh's widespread dental infection probably caused her considerable pain, personal distress and malaise, and possibly resulted in her death.

Cuspid↗
PubMed1978

ABO blood groups in Chilean and Peruvian mummies. II. Results of agglutination-inhibition technique.

ABO blood groups of Peruvian and Chilean mummies were determined with the agglutination-inhibition method. In Peru all ABO blood groups were found in the period from 3000 B.C. to 1400 A.D.; from this period to 1650 only A and O were seen. In Chile no B or AB was noted either in pre-Columbian or Colonial mummies. This confirms the archeological concept that the Chilean Indian was culturally as well as genetically different from the Peruvian Indian. Further studies using other genetic markers are in order, as well as changing certain preconceived notions on blood groups of American Indians.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed1987

Tissue identification and histologic study of six lung specimens from Egyptian mummies.

Twenty-eight specimens obtained either from organ bundles in the body cavities of intact mummies, from damaged mummies, or from isolated canopic jars were examined for tissue identification and histopathologic study. The methods of rehydration and fixation were optimized by application to 40 dehydrated modern samples before studies of mummified tissue were undertaken. The tissue of origin could be definitely identified in 24 of the 28 specimens. Even small fragments obtained from isolated canopic jars proved suitable for histologic study. Six lung specimens were selected for more detailed study. All six showed focal deposition of anthracotic pigment. Electron diffraction and electron microprobe analysis of one of the small, polarizable crystals associated with the anthracosis indicated a mineral content of silica, aluminum, and iron. Two specimens showed focal areas of calcification consistent with old mycobacterial disease. Other histopathologic findings included evidence of pulmonary edema, emphysema, and pneumonia.

Egypt↗
PubMed1990

Three-dimensional computed tomography of the mummy Wenuhotep.

Computed tomography allows cross-sectional imaging of anthropological as well as clinical subjects. Recently, technical innovations have made three-dimensional reconstruction of these images feasible. We performed two-dimensional and three-dimensional computed tomography of a Late Period Egyptian mummy to reexamine findings seen on previous radiographic studies and to evaluate the usefulness of these techniques in paleopathology. Two-dimensional images provided excellent anatomic detail. There was graphic depiction of the mummification process that corroborated information previously obtained from Egyptological studies. Three-dimensional reconstruction provided images of facial features as if the mummy had been unwrapped. Three-dimensional computed tomography is a useful method of nondestructively evaluating paleopathological remains, and it may yield information not obtainable by any other means.

Female↗
PubMed1995

Extensive pulmonary haemorrhage in an Egyptian mummy.

We report on the morphological and trace element findings of several internal organs from an Egyptian mummy approximately dating from the year 950 B.C. according to 14C-analysis. By use of a multidisciplinary approach we succeeded in discovering evidence for severe and presumably recurrent pulmonary bleeding during life. This was suggested by the finding of massive haemosiderin deposits in the lung and a selectively and markedly elevated level of iron in trace element analysis of the lung tissue. Furthermore, we observed an enhanced deposition of birefringent particles in the lung tissue, without significant fibrosis. The histological analysis of liver, stomach and intestine confirmed the macroscopic organ diagnoses without evidence of any major pathological processes. In addition, analysis for various drugs revealed a significant deposition of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), nicotine and cocaine in several organs of the mummy. The concentration profiles additionally provide evidence for a preferential inhalation of THC, while nicotine and cocaine containing drugs seem to have been consumed orally.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

The Trier mummy Paï-es-tjau-em-aui-nu: radiological and histological findings.

The ancient Egyptian mummy Paï-es-tjau-em-aui-nu, now on exhibition in the Rheinische Landesmuseum in Trier, Germany, was examined by conventional X-ray radiography, computed tomography, and digital fluoroscopy. In addition, some tissues were biopsied for further histologic identification. Along with some representative images, the peculiarities of the Trier mummy concerning the mummification process are presented.

Egypt↗
PubMed1997

Immunohistochemical localisation of neuropeptides and nitric oxide synthase in sural nerves from Egyptian mummies.

Paleopathology is a well established science with numerous papers and books on the subject but, in contrast, paleoneurobiology is almost non-existent. We examined sections of sural nerves obtained from seven embalmed Egyptian mummies and one naturally desiccated Peruvian mummy, immunohistochemically stained for several neurochemicals. Immunoreactivity for type I nitric oxide synthase (NOS), protein gene-product 9.5, galanin, and calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactivity was observed in the nervi nervorum. No immunoreactivity was seen using antibodies directed against substance P, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide or neuropeptide Y. NOS-immunoreactivity was also observed in biopsied samples of contemporaneous human sural nerves. Thus, using a standard immunohistochemical technique it was possible to detect neurochemicals in ancient sural nerves that had been preserved by mummification. Furthermore, the finding of NOS in the ancient nerves led to its detection in contemporaneous sural nerves.

Egypt↗
PubMed1999

A chemical and physicochemical study of an Egyptian mummy 'Iset Iri Hetes' from the Ptolemaic period III-I B.C.

Chemical and physicochemical examinations of the fragments of an Egyptian mummy dated between the 3rd and 1st century B.C. were performed. The chemical examinations indicated the presence of resin in the skull and in the fragments of bandages wrapped around the mummy. An analysis of the infrared spectra of the fragments indicated a type of resin originating from the Copal group. Physicochemical investigations showed that main chemical elements such as Ca, Mg, Na, K, P and trace chemical elements such as Fe, Zn, Cu, and Pb occurred in bone fragments in proportions typical for people living today. In tooth fragments, values were similar to normal except for K, P, and Zn, which were lower, and Pb, which was absent. In the fingernails, most elements were found in much higher concentrations except for Cu and Pb, which were lower. The results of the study in terms of their implications on mummification are discussed.

Bone and Bones↗
PubMed1975

Temporal bone studies: findings with undecalcified sections in a 2,600-year-old Egyptian mummy.

Roentgenologic studies by polytomography of the temporal bones of a 2,600-year-old Egyptian mummy (PUM-II) revealed an increase in radiographic density throughout the left temporal bone. The superior portions of the petrous bones were removed with an electric saw for study by undecalcified techniques. For histological control, a similar specimen was removed from a cadaver immediately after autopsy. Light microscopy of sections showed excellent preservation of the Haversian systems. The vascular channels were clearly seen, and they were similar in appearance to those of the fresh specimen. The lacunae contained osteocytes with good preservation of the nucleus. Osteoid seams were identified and the osteon activity was described for the first time in an Egyptian mummy. There was a low turnover type of bone, but there was no evidence of metabolic bone disease. We postulate that the increased radiological density of the left temporal bone was due to a greater amount of resin infiltration in this bone as compared to the right. It appeared that the resin acted as a fixative preserving the bone cells and related elements.

Cell Nucleus↗
PubMed2001

Organic chemistry of embalming agents in Pharaonic and Graeco-Roman mummies.

Chemical treatments were an essential element of ancient Egyptian mummification. Although the inorganic salt natron is recognized as having a central role as a desiccant, without the application of organic preservatives the bodies would have decomposed in the humid environment of the tombs. The nature of the organic treatments remains obscure, because the ancient Egyptians left no written record of the process. Secondary textual evidence for mummification is provided by Herodotus, Diodorus Siculus, Strabo and Pliny. The most important account is that of Herodotus (about 450 yr bc), although archaeological evidence shows that by this time the process had declined significantly and the best results had been achieved centuries before. His account mentions myrrh, cassia, palm wine, 'cedar oil' (still widely disputed) and 'gum'; however, it is vague with respect to the specific natural products used. Here we report the results of chemical investigations of a substantial collection of samples of tissues, wrappings and 'resinous/bituminous' materials from provenanced and dated Egyptian mummies. We focused on examples of the 'classic' mummy-making culture of the Pharaonic or dynastic period, from which we can begin to track the development of mummification chronologically.

Adult↗