Researchers at the University of Southern California performed a computed tomography scan on two ancient Egyptian mummies. These belonged to two priests: Nes-Min (circa 330 BCE) and Nes-Hor (circa 190 BCE). The examination provided deeper insight into the daily lives of Egyptians from two millennia ago.
The specialists scanned the mummies while they remained within the lower sections of their sarcophagi. Utilizing contemporary methods, they were able to discern facial contours, such as the shape of the eyelids and lower lip, as well as details concerning the individuals’ health status and lifespans.
The senior of the two (Nes-Min) was swathed in bead-embroidered linen and adorned with various strands of beads. The priest was interred alongside several artifacts shaped like fish and scarab beetles. The analysis indicated that during his life, he suffered from back pain. His lumbar vertebrae were displaced—most likely due to natural aging and wear.
Nes-Hor presented with “diagnosed” dental issues and a severely damaged femur. At the time of his passing, he was older than Nes-Min.
CT scanning facilitates the study of mummies without needing to unwrap them. Standard examination risks causing the fragile remains to disintegrate. CT technology yields hundreds of highly detailed cross-sectional, three-dimensional images, which are subsequently assembled into a digital model. Initially developed for medical applications, this technology has proven valuable for archaeologists as well, according to the university’s website.
It was previously reported that the very oldest mummies on Earth have been discovered. These findings emerged from Southeast Asia, with the age of the mummies estimated to be 12,000 years.
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