Student Article
3D Printing Recreates a 3,000-Year-Old Egyptian Mummy's Voice!
Vocal tract (noun): The parts of the body that help us speak.
CT scanner (noun): A machine that takes detailed pictures of the inside of the body.
Larynx (noun): The part of the throat that contains the voice box.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to hear the voice of someone who lived thousands of years ago?
Bringing a 3,000-year-old voice back to life
Scientists used advanced technology to recreate the voice of Nesyamun, an Egyptian priest who died 3,000 years ago. They used a 3D printer to create a model of his vocal tract, which is the part of the body that helps us speak.
Scanning and printing an ancient vocal tract
First, the team produced detailed images of Nesyamun's throat and larynx using a CT scanner. These images showed that his throat was incredibly well-preserved. Then they used a 3D printer to create a highly accurate copy of his vocal tract. By connecting this model to an artificial voice box, they were able to hear what Nesyamun's voice sounded like.
Why his voice matters
Nesyamun's voice was significant because he was a priest who performed rituals involving spoken and sung elements. The researchers were excited to hear his voice as it provides insights into ancient Egyptian culture. Some people think this project is fascinating, while others have ethical concerns about recreating voices from the past.
© Jason Goodyer / Our Media
Vocal tract (noun): The parts of the body that help us speak.
CT scanner (noun): A machine that takes detailed pictures of the inside of the body.
Larynx (noun): The part of the throat that contains the voice box.