Student Article
3D Scans Reveal Secrets of Ancient Mummified Animals
Post-mortem (noun): An examination of a body after death.
Juvenile (adjective): Young or not fully grown.
Resin (noun): A sticky substance produced by some plants and trees.
Scientists used advanced technology to study mummified animals from ancient Egypt!
Scanning ancient animals with 3D tech
Scientists have utilized 3D scanning technology to conduct a digital "post-mortem" on three mummified animals from ancient Egypt, dating back over 2,000 years. The animals, a cat, a bird, and a snake, were analyzed in extraordinary detail, revealing their smallest bones and teeth.
What the scans revealed
The researchers discovered that the mummified cat was a kitten less than five months old, with gaps between its neck bones suggesting it may have had its neck broken during mummification. The snake, identified as a juvenile Egyptian cobra, showed signs of spine damage and kidney problems, indicating it may have been deprived of water. The bird was determined to be similar to a Eurasian kestrel based on bone measurements and 3D scans.
New insights into ancient Egypt's beliefs
These findings provide new insights into the animal mummification process and the conditions in which these animals were kept. The high-resolution imaging allowed scientists to identify hardened resin in the snake's mouth, possibly added during an ancient Egyptian burial ritual known as the Opening of the Mouth ceremony.
This research sheds light on the religious practices and human-animal relationships in ancient Egypt. Scientists hope to use this technology to study more mummified animals, potentially revealing further details about life in ancient Egypt.
© Sara Rigby / Our Media
Post-mortem (noun): An examination of a body after death.
Juvenile (adjective): Young or not fully grown.
Resin (noun): A sticky substance produced by some plants and trees.