Postmortem changes in ancient Egyptian child mummies: Possible pitfalls on CT images

IF 1.3 3区 地球科学 Q3 PALEONTOLOGY International Journal of Paleopathology Pub Date : 2023-09-01 DOI:10.1016/j.ijpp.2023.07.005
Stephanie Panzer , Stephanie Zesch , Wilfried Rosendahl , Randall C. Thompson , Albert R. Zink
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Abstract

Objective

To identify and interpret computed tomography (CT) findings of postmortem changes in ancient Egyptian child mummies.

Materials

Whole-body CT examinations of 21 ancient Egyptian child mummies from German (n = 18), Italian (n = 1), and Swiss museums (n = 2).

Methods

Conspicuous CT findings from prior evaluations with various research questions that were assessed as postmortem changes were classified, and special cases were illustrated and discussed.

Results

Postmortem changes were classified into several categories. From these, individuals with evidence of invasion of resin/oil/tar into bone, dried fluid-levels within bone most likely due to natron, probable interaction of natron with soft tissues and bone, as well as insect infestation were demonstrated.

Conclusions

One challenge of paleoradiology is to differentiate between intravital and postmortem changes, which can be multifarious. These changes can be obvious, but also subtle, and can mimic diseases.

Significance

The provided classification of postmortem changes, as well as the demonstrated cases, may serve as models for further paleoradiological investigations. The dried intraosseous fluid levels in two mummies, most likely due to natron, suggests that these children were immersed in a liquid natron bath, in contrast to the current scientific view that natron for mummification was routinely applied in the solid form.

Limitations

CT was used as the only examination method, as sampling of the mummies was not possible.

Suggestions for further research

The awareness that postmortem changes on CT images of ancient Egyptian mummies might mimic pathology should be raised to reduce or avoid incorrect interpretation.

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古埃及儿童木乃伊死后的变化:CT图像可能存在的缺陷
目的鉴别和解释古埃及儿童木乃伊死后的计算机断层扫描(CT)结果。对21具古埃及儿童木乃伊进行全身CT检查,分别来自德国(n = 18)、意大利(n = 1)和瑞士博物馆(n = 2)。方法对先前评估中具有不同研究问题的显著CT表现进行分类,并对特殊情况进行说明和讨论。结果死后变化可分为几类。从这些证据中,证明了有树脂/油/焦油侵入骨骼的证据的个体,骨内干燥的液体水平最有可能是由于泡碱,泡碱可能与软组织和骨骼相互作用,以及昆虫侵扰。结论古放射学面临的一个挑战是区分生命和死后的变化,这可能是多种多样的。这些变化可能是明显的,但也可能是微妙的,并且可以模仿疾病。所提供的死后变化分类,以及所展示的病例,可以作为进一步古放射学研究的模型。两具干尸的骨内液体水平(很可能是由于泡碱)表明,这些孩子浸泡在液体泡碱浴中,这与目前的科学观点相反,泡碱通常以固体形式用于木乃伊制作。局限性sct是唯一的检查方法,因为不可能对木乃伊取样。进一步研究的建议古埃及木乃伊的CT图像上的死后变化可能模仿病理的意识应该提高,以减少或避免错误的解释。
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来源期刊
CiteScore
2.90
自引率
25.00%
发文量
43
期刊介绍: Paleopathology is the study and application of methods and techniques for investigating diseases and related conditions from skeletal and soft tissue remains. The International Journal of Paleopathology (IJPP) will publish original and significant articles on human and animal (including hominids) disease, based upon the study of physical remains, including osseous, dental, and preserved soft tissues at a range of methodological levels, from direct observation to molecular, chemical, histological and radiographic analysis. Discussion of ways in which these methods can be applied to the reconstruction of health, disease and life histories in the past is central to the discipline, so the journal would also encourage papers covering interpretive and theoretical issues, and those that place the study of disease at the centre of a bioarchaeological or biocultural approach. Papers dealing with historical evidence relating to disease in the past (rather than history of medicine) will also be published. The journal will also accept significant studies that applied previously developed techniques to new materials, setting the research in the context of current debates on past human and animal health.
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