Multidetector computed tomographic study of amulets, jewelry, and other foreign objects in royal Egyptian mummies dated from the 18th to 20th dynasties
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to study the role of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in the analysis of foreign objects found within or on the royal Egyptian mummies. METHODS: We studied MDCT images of 15 royal Egyptian mummies (1493-1156 BC) for the presence of foreign objects. We studied each found object for its location, morphology, dimensions, and density in correlation with the archeologic literature. RESULTS: We detected 14 objects in 6 mummies: a heart amulet, 3 Eye of Horus, 4 Sons of Horus, a crowned-Osiris amulet, 2 bracelets, 2 sets of beads/stones, and an arrowhead that may be linked to injury. The MDCT images suggested the material of the objects to be metal (n = 6), semiprecious stone (n = 1), quartzlike (faience) (n = 2), and fired clay (n = 5). Placement of an amulet within the heart supports our knowledge that its funeral purpose was meant for the purpose of protection. CONCLUSIONS: Multidetector computed tomography offers a detailed noninvasive analysis of objects on/in mummies and differentiates funerary objects from those that may be related to cause of death.
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The material of objects was determined according to HU measurements: metal >2,978 HU; quartz/faience 1,693-2,317 HU; stones about 2,900-2,500 HU; and fired clay 1,116 HU SD 54.7.
“The material of the object was determined according to its HU measurements: metal (>2,978 HU); quartz/faience (1,693–2,317 HU), stones (about 2,900–2,500 HU), and fired clay (1,116 HU SD 54.7) (17).”
From Digital Unwrapping of the Mummy of King Amenhotep I (1525–1504 BC) Using CT (2021) · cites this paper as [17]
Previous CT studies of the royal mummies of the New Kingdom found in the two royal caches identified Thutmose III to be wearing two golden bracelets hidden behind the wrappings.
“Previous CT studies of the royal mummies of the New Kingdom found in the two royal caches identified Thutmose III (BC) to be wearing two golden bracelets hidden behind the wrappings (17).”
From Digital Unwrapping of the Mummy of King Amenhotep I (1525–1504 BC) Using CT (2021) · cites this paper as [17]
CT densities of amulets/jewelry enabled identification of their material composition.
“The CT densities of the amulets/jewelry enabled the identification of its material composition (17).”
From Digital Unwrapping of the Mummy of King Amenhotep I (1525–1504 BC) Using CT (2021) · cites this paper as [17]
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Saleem, S. N., & Hawass, Z. (2021) · Frontiers in Medicine · doi:10.3389/fmed.2021.778498 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
“The CT densities of the amulets/jewelry enabled the identification of its material composition (17).”
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“CT can help determine the material of an amulet by measuring its density (14).”
Self-citationLicata, M., Tosi, A., Larentis, O., Rossetti, C., Lorio, S., & Pinto, A. (2019) · Seminars in ultrasound, CT, and MR · doi:10.1053/j.sult.2018.10.016 · Cited by 10
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“Within the layers of wrapping, amulets were placed to protect the dead from mishap (16).”
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Giovannetti, G., Guerrini, A., Carnieri, E., & Salvadori, P. (2016) · Magnetic Resonance Imaging · doi:10.1016/j.mri.2016.03.012 · Cited by 7
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Self-citationKružić, I., Jerković, I., Mihanović, F., Marušić, A., Anđelinović, Š., & Bašić, Ž. (2018) · Medicine, Law & Society · doi:10.18690/ml · Cited by 2
Un sarcófago con sorpresa: estudio con tomografía computarizada de una momia egipcia de Baja Época
Isidro, A., Díez-Santacoloma, I., Bagot, J., Milla, L., & Gallart, A. (2016) · doi:10.1016/j.rx.2015.09.007
- Authors
- Saleem, S. N., & Hawass, Z.
- Affiliations
- Supreme Council of Antiquities (EG)
- Venue
- Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography
- Published
- 2014
- Volume
- 38
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 153-158
- ISSN
- 0363-8715 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2322053358
- Cited by
- 22
- References
- 19
- Citations by year
- 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 1
- FWCI
- 13.46
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Archeology › Paleopathology and ancient diseases
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Archeology › Ancient Egypt and Archaeology
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Archeology › Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis
- Keywords
- amulets, Eye of Horus, faience, bracelets, arrowhead, grave goods, causes of death, ancient Egyptian funerary practices
- MeSH terms
- Egypt, Foreign Bodies, Humans, Mummies, Jewelry, Multidetector Computed Tomography
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