Dental status of three Egyptian mummies: radiological investigation by multislice computerized tomography (original) (raw)
Related papers
2008
An ancient Egyptian mummy skull from the Zoological Collection Marburg, Germany, was examined using computer assisted tomography. In this skull (referred to as Mummy skull no. 24) of a man who lived circa 50 BC we found three of his teeth in the cranial cavity. They had been retained after their loss caused by periodontal disease, and were inserted into the cranial cavity via a trans-sphenoidal hole, probably during the process of mummification. In this article we describe the reasons for the loss of these three teeth and consider possible motivations for this extraordinary conservation. We believe this is the first time such a procedure has been reported. It is discussed in an historical-religious context, emphasizing the mythological background. Furthermore, the medico-pharmaceutical methods to cure periodontal disease are described with reference to the ancient Egyptian medical papyrus Ebers-in the case of Mummy skull no. 24 one of the causes of loss of teeth.
Paleoradiology: Advanced CT in the Evaluation of Nine Egyptian Mummies
RadioGraphics, 2002
Axial thin-collimation state-of-the-art spiral computed tomography (CT) was combined with sagittal and coronal reformatting, three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction, and virtual "fly-through" techniques to nondestructively study nine Egyptian mummies. These techniques provided important paleopathologic and historical information about mummification techniques, depicted anatomy in the most informative imaging plane, illustrated the soft-tissue preservation and physical appearance of mummies in superb detail, and generated an intriguing virtual tour through hollow mummified remains without harming the specimens themselves. Images generated with these methods can help archaeologists and Egyptologists understand these fascinating members of mankind and can serve as adjunct visual aids for laypersons who are interested in mummies. CT has emerged as the imaging modality of choice for the examination of Egyptian mummies due to its noninvasive cross-sectional nature and inherently superior contrast and spatial resolution. As multi-detector row CT and postprocessing tools evolve, the capabilities and applications of CT will continue to proliferate, attesting to the expanded versatility and utility of CT as a noninvasive research tool in the multidisciplinary study of Egyptian mummies.
NEMESIS, 2020
Objective: To summarize the current knowledge on CT scanning of Egyptian mummy heads and faces and provide more valid methodology than that previously available. Material and methods: A systematic review was performed by one observer using two biomedical databases: PubMed and EMBASE. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied along with language restrictions. Finally, 2120 articles were found, 359 articles were duplicated among all search equations, 1454 articles were excluded, 307 articles were retained for full review, and 28 articles (31 mummies) were selected for the final study (PRISMA workflow). Results: The data were categorized into the following groups: 1) general information; 2) 1st author affiliation; 3) CT radiological protocol; 4) excerebration pathways; 5) soft tissue preservation; 6) dental status and displaced teeth; 7) packing of the mouth, ears, nose, and eyes, and 8) outer facial appearance. The evidence-based quality of the studies was low because only case re...
Paleoradiology: Advanced CT In the Evaluation of Nine Egyptian Mummies1
Radiographics, 2002
Axial thin-collimation state-of-the-art spiral computed tomography (CT) was combined with sagittal and coronal reformatting, three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction, and virtual fly-through techniques to nondestructively study nine Egyptian mummies. These techniques provided important ...
Papers on Anthropology, 2014
In a computerised tomographic (CT) scanning and x-ray imaging of four ancient Egyptian Graeco/Roman child mummies, it was observed that deciduous teeth had been dislodged and that the cervical spines were flexed. The objective of this study was to determine whether the cause of the tooth loss and spinal flexion were linked or whether they related to ante-mortem accident or abuse. Three mummies were examined using high speed helical CT scanners and the fourth mummy was examined using x-ray film. The images were loaded into an advanced visualisation workstation for further examination and to provide accurate data to identify exfoliated teeth and the flexion of the cervical spine. The age range of the children was approximately eighteen months to six years. The study showed that in two cases the dislodged teeth were within the oral cavity and in the third case the dislodged teeth were found close to empty sockets. In the fourth mummy two upper teeth were dislodged but could not be identified in the oral cavity due to the lack of clarity in the x-ray films. In all cases natural exfoliation or dental extraction as a cause of tooth loss was rejected due to the age of each child and identification of dislodged teeth which lacked evidence of root resorption. The reason for the dislodgement of teeth appeared to be due rough post-mortem handling by embalmers when
A Ptolemaic mummy reveals evidence of invasive dentistry in ancient Egypt
The Anatomical Record, 2020
Over the last decades, it has been confirmed that computerized tomography (CT) is a valuable tool for studying mummies. In joint efforts put forth by the Mummy Research Project of the Hellenic Institute of Egyptology, the National Archaeological Museum, and the Athens Medical Center, a mummy was transported to the Radiology Department of the Athens Medical Center for study. Thus, a complete CT-scanning was performed of this Ptolemaic mummy (AIG 3343: Sekhem, male, 150-30 BCE), belonging to the Egyptian Collection of the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. The most significant finding is an interproximal carious cavity packed with protective material. This is the second case of dental packing in the literature among ancient Egyptian mummies studied to date. Its remarkable resemblance to the previously published study may indicate a common dental intervention performed by ancient Egyptians. Despite the wellknown early medical traditions of ancient Egypt, spanning from the Old Kingdom to the Ptolemaic and Roman Periods, little evidence remains of their practices in dentistry. Our finding represents a rare perspective on the origins of what remains today a major allied health field discipline.
Imaging Science in Dentistry
Purpose: In the age of X-ray computed tomography (CT) and digital volume tomography (DVT), with their outstanding post-processing capabilities, indications for planar radiography for the study of the dentition of ancient Egyptian mummies may easily be overlooked. In this article, the advantages and limitations of different approaches and projections are discussed for planar oral and maxillofacial radiography using portable digital X-ray equipment during archaeological excavations. Furthermore, recommendations are provided regarding projections and sample positioning in this context. Materials and Methods: A total of 55 specimens, including 19 skeletonized mandibles, 14 skeletonized skulls, 18 separate mummified heads, and 4 partially preserved mummies were imaged using portable digital X-ray equipment in the course of archaeological excavations led by the University of Basel in the Valley of the Kings between 2009 and 2012. Images were evaluated by 2 authors with regard to the visibility of diagnostically relevant dental structures using a 4-point grading system (Likert scale). Results: Overall, the visibility of diagnostically relevant dental structures was rated highest by both authors on X-ray images acquired using a dental detector. The tube-shift technique in the lateral projections of mandibular dentition achieved the second-best rating, and lateral projections achieved the third-best rating. Conclusion: Conventional planar digital X-ray imaging, due to its ubiquity, remains an excellent method-and often the only practicable one-for examining the skulls and teeth of ancient Egyptian mummies under field conditions. Radiographic images of excellent diagnostic quality can be obtained, if an appropriate methodology regarding the selected projections and sample placement is followed.
Amanda–Alice Maravelia (ed.), En Quête de la Lumière / In Quest of Light. Mélanges in Honorem Ashraf A. Sadek, BAR S1960, 2009
Since several years the Archaeological Museum of Bologna started up a collaboration with the Physics Department of the University of Bologna in order to examine important archaeological finds by using advanced Non Destructive Techniques (NDT) such as Digital Radiography (DR) and Computed Tomography (CT) [1]. These methods have been used to inspect bronze objects of the Etruscan section [2] and small Egyptian mummies [3]. The examination of archaeological artefacts by means of advanced NDT can provide important information for the technical, artistic and historical analyses preserving their integrity and producing images of the inner structure, otherwise not visible. In particular, a mummy-shaped statuette representing the Egyptian god Osiris (KS 342) has been analyzed by means of Computed Tomography at the Physics Department of Bologna. The object has been investigated in order to carry out a 3D analysis of all the main components, such as the wax mask used to cover the face, the outer wrapper constituted of a linen bandages and the inner structure, probably composed of a granular mixture of earth and cereal.
Anthropological Study of the Ancient Egyptian Mummy Based on the Computed Tomography Method
Anthropology, 2018
This work presents the results of complex paleoanthropological research using the method of computed tomography of the ancient Egyptian mummy, stored in the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts (Moscow, Russia) (Inv. No. I,1a 5301). According to the inventory, this is a mummy of Khor-ha, which dates from the VII-IV centuries BC. Over the mummy of Khor-kha lies a grid of blue faience beads, characteristic of the Late period of Egyptian history. For magnetic resonance scanning, Siemens Magnetom Verio magnetic field strength 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used. Further, measurements of the skeleton were made on the frames. It was found that a number of morphological features of the pelvis and skull of the individual was a woman, her age was about 25 years. The skull of the mummy is close to the average size of the horizontal circle and transverse arc. A number of measurements suggest a medium-high skull. The sagittal arc is large for women, that is, the skull is quite elongated. Form of the cranium when viewed from above pentagonic, that is, the greatest width of the skull is shifted back. The facial part of the skull is narrow and relatively high. On the scales of the frontal bone has overgrown metopic suture. Unusually strong for women's development have the upper nuchal line (linea nuchae superior), which represent the massive structure. In vivo body length amounted to about 158 cm. relatively shortened upper extremities and especially the forearm. For this individual is characterized by a pronounced graceful skeleton of hands and feet. Muscle relief is moderately developed in general.