Developments in the use of x-ray tomography for the study of ancient mummies

Andrew J. Nelson

doi:10.1117/12.2597358

9 September 2021 Developments in the use of x-ray tomography for the study of ancient mummies

Andrew J. Nelson

Proceedings Volume 11840, Developments in X-Ray Tomography XIII; 1184007 (2021) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2597358
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2021, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

New developments in x-ray technology have quickly been applied to the scientific study of mummies. A mummified cat was radiographed within a year of Roentgen’s discovery of x-rays and radiographs of the leg and foot of a human mummy followed within another year. X-ray computed tomography, in its initial incarnation of a head scanner was used to scan a mummy’s brain in 1977, and a mummy was put into a full body scanner shortly thereafter. Now mummies are being subject to micro-CT, synchrotron, MRI and other kinds of specialized imaging modalities. One of the most important aspects of radiological examinations of mummies is that they are non-destructive. In addition, they allow us to examine the biological characteristics (age, sex, health) of the individual and the cultural process of preparing them for eternity. This information sheds important light on cultures of the past. The radiological study of mummies is necessarily interdisciplinary, as it requires the expertise of the radiologist, the bioarchaeologist and the Egyptologist, to name only a few key team members. Unfortunately, the application of modern imaging modalities to the study of ancient mummies is generally characterized by a case study approach, with very little coordination or standardization. This paper will explore how the radiological study of mummies has evolved and where it needs to go.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Andrew J. Nelson "Developments in the use of x-ray tomography for the study of ancient mummies", Proc. SPIE 11840, Developments in X-Ray Tomography XIII, 1184007 (9 September 2021); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2597358

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