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CT Scans Reveal Secrets of Ancient Egyptian Mummies
Scientists use CT scans to peer inside ancient Egyptian mummies and sarcophagi at Chicago's Field Museum, revealing details about mummification practices and the lives of the deceased.
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TechnologyHealthMiddle EastEuropean UnionArchaeologyAncient EgyptMummiesAfterlife
Field Museum
J.p. BrownStacey DrakeSenet-A
- What insights did the scans provide about the life of Senet-A?
- Analysis of the mummy of Senet-A revealed she was a high-status woman who died around age 40, her teeth showing wear from sandy foods. Artificial eyes were placed in her eye sockets, a common practice to ensure she had them in the afterlife.
- How long will the analysis of the 3D images take, and what makes this research significant?
- The project, which took four days for scanning and may take up to three years to fully analyze, offers a unique look at individual lives in ancient Egypt, providing insight into their practices and beliefs about the afterlife.
- What innovative method did scientists use to study the mummies without physically unwrapping them?
- Scientists at Chicago's Field Museum used mobile CT scanners to create 3D images of mummies and sarcophagi, revealing details about ancient Egyptian mummification practices without unwrapping them.
- What unexpected discovery did the CT scans reveal about the placement of internal organs in some mummies?
- The scans revealed that some embalmers placed organs back inside the mummies, wrapped and accompanied by wax figurines of the sons of Horus, each protecting a specific organ.
- What were the ancient Egyptian beliefs concerning the afterlife and how did this influence their mummification practices?
- Ancient Egyptians believed the soul remained in the body after death, thus mummification was crucial to preserve the spirit for the afterlife. They viewed the afterlife preparations much like modern people view retirement savings.