Whole-body three-dimensional multidetector CT of 13 Egyptian human mummies

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this article is to assess the role of multidetector CT and three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions in noninvasive studies of Egyptian mummies.

Materials and methods: We studied 13 mummies from the Egyptian Museum in Torino, Italy, dating from Dynasty III to Dynasty IV (2650-2450 B.C.) and from the Ptolemaic period (332-30 B.C.) to the Roman period (30 B.C.-A.D. 395), using a multidetector CT unit with a single volumetric acquisition of the whole body, including lower extremities, followed by 3D reconstruction. All mummies were completely wrapped; preservation conditions of external wrappings were good in all.

Results: The general setting, embalming techniques, sex and age assessment (from body and skeletal features), anthropometric measurements (cranial measurements and evaluation of stature), conditions of the skeleton and soft tissue, any abnormalities, and the presence of foreign objects were evaluated in each mummy, and a detailed report was drawn up. Virtual unwrapping permitted the identification of physiognomy of the whole dehydrated body placed beneath the wrappings; 3D reconstruction and virtual fly-through navigation allowed further evaluations of the internal parts of the body.

Conclusion: The results obtained with this protocol provided important anthropologic and paleopathologic information that would have been impossible to obtain by other noninvasive techniques. Moreover, this method has great potential for studies of conservation, anthropology, and paleopathology of other Egyptian and ancient human remains. Multidisciplinary cooperation among anthropologists, paleopathologists, Egyptologists, and radiologists is essential.