Synchrotron "virtual archaeozoology" reveals how Ancient Egyptians prepared a decaying crocodile cadaver for mummification.

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ID: 171522
2020
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Abstract
Although Ancient Egyptians mummified millions of animals over the course of one millennium, many details of these mummification protocols remain unknown. Multi-scale propagation phase-contrast X-ray synchrotron microtomography was used to visualise an ancient Egyptian crocodile mummy housed at the Musée des Confluences (Lyon, France). This state-of-the-art non-destructive imaging technique revealed the complete interior anatomy of the mummy in three dimensions. Here, we present detailed insight into the complex post-mortem treatment of a decaying crocodile cadaver in preparation for mummification. Except for the head and the extremities of the limbs, everything beneath the skin of the crocodile (i.e. organs, muscles, and even most of the skeleton) was removed to cease further putrefaction. This unexpected finding demonstrates that earlier knowledge obtained from textual and other archaeological sources does not sufficiently reflect the diversity of mummification protocols implemented by Ancient Egyptians.
Reference Key
berruyer2020synchrotronplos Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
Authors Berruyer, Camille;Porcier, Stéphanie M;Tafforeau, Paul;
Journal PloS one
Year 2020
DOI
DOI not found
URL
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0229140
Keywords
Education Biology (General) Medicine Science social sciences ethnology. social and cultural anthropology manners and customs (general)

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