Thanks to modern CT technology, archaeologists have now been able to delve deep into the secrets of three ancient Egyptian mummies discovered back in 1615 AD. Unearthed in a rock-cut tomb more than four centuries ago at the ancient Egyptian necropolis of Saqqara, these mummies—a male, a female, and a teenage girl—represent some of the only surviving examples of stucco-shrouded portrait mummies. Rather than being laid in coffins, they were placed on wooden planks before being wrapped in high-quality mummy shrouds and adorned with 3D plaster, gold, and whole-body portraits.
A groundbreaking study of these three ancient Egyptian mummies has been published in the journal PLOS One by Dr. Stephanie Zesch, a physical anthropologist and Egyptologist from the German Mummy Project at Reiss Engelhorn Museum in Mannheim, Germany. Dr. Zesch’s team of researchers conducted CT scans on the man, woman, and teenage girl, revealing remarkable insights into their lives and deaths. All three mummies were dated to around 30 BC to 395 AD, corresponding to the late Roman period in Egypt.
Scanning the Supernatural Tool Kit
In 1615, the Italian composer Pietro Della Valle (1586−1652) embarked on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, journeying through Egypt along the way. During his travels, Della Valle acquired two of the stucco-shrouded portrait mummies and subsequently sent them back to Rome. These mummies, described by researchers as “the earliest examples of portrait mummies ever known in Europe,” have undergone extensive travel, resulting in some wear and tear over the centuries. Despite their condition, they remain invaluable artifacts shedding light on ancient Egyptian burial practices and artistic traditions.
The pair of adult mummies eventually found their way to the Dresden State Art Collections in Germany, where they underwent X-ray examination in the late 1980s. Meanwhile, the stucco-shrouded portrait mummy of the teenage girl remained housed at the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo. Now, with the aid of modern CT scans, researchers have delved even deeper into the mysteries held within these ancient remains.
The intricate portrait of the male mummy portrays him holding a golden cup and flowers, while the female is depicted holding a lekythos, a Greek vessel used for storing oil. Both female mummy portraits showcase elaborate bead necklaces, highlighting the importance of adornment in ancient Egyptian burial customs. Additionally, all three mummies were buried with essential artifacts believed to aid them on their journey to the afterlife. Among these provisions were coins intended to pay homage to Charon, the mythical ferryman who guided souls across the River Styx in Roman and Greek mythology.
Further examination via CT scans revealed intriguing details within the mummies themselves. The female mummy bore two metallic objects near her stomach, resembling nails or arrows, while the male mummy contained two lead objects suspected to be seals from the mummification workshop. These discoveries add another layer of complexity to our understanding of ancient Egyptian burial practices and the rituals surrounding the journey to the afterlife.
Measuring up the Ancient Egyptian Deceased
The detailed analysis from the CT scans unveiled significant information about the individuals encased within the stucco-shrouded portrait mummies. The adult woman, estimated to have been between 30 and 40 years old at the time of her death, stood at approximately 151 cm (4.11 ft) tall. Evidence of arthritis in her left knee suggests she may have experienced physical discomfort during her lifetime. Meanwhile, the male, who passed away between the ages of 25 and 30, stood about 164 cm (5.4 ft) tall. The presence of broken and jumbled bones indicates the haste with which he was wrapped after his discovery in the 17th century.
The teenage girl, estimated to have been between 17 and 19 years old at the time of her death, stood at about 156 cm (5.1 ft) tall. Her stucco-shrouded portrait mummy, housed at the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo, showcases her adorned with several necklaces, as confirmed by the CT scans. Intriguingly, the girl exhibited a vertebral hemangioma, a benign tumor typically found in older adults, suggesting she may have experienced health challenges during her short life. Despite the passage of millennia, her preserved brain provides valuable insights into ancient medical conditions, contrasting with the absence of brain tissue in the adult mummies.
These revelations underscore the remarkable preservation of these ancient individuals and offer glimpses into their lives, health, and societal status within ancient Egyptian civilization.
Upper Class Ancient Egyptians
The discovery of the three individuals within the unique stucco-shrouded portrait mummies provides intriguing insights into ancient Egyptian society and the lives of its elite members. While the exact causes of their deaths remain elusive, the wealth and status they enjoyed during their lifetimes are evident.
Belonging to the upper class, these individuals likely held prominent positions within ancient Egyptian society. The man may have served as an army officer or wealthy landowner, while the woman could have been a government official or esteemed healer. Their burial at the royal Saqqara necropolis suggests their elevated status within the social hierarchy.
In ancient Egypt, society was structured into three main classes: the upper, middle, and lower classes. The upper class, which these individuals likely belonged to, enjoyed privileges and luxuries inaccessible to the lower classes. While the middle class comprised merchants, manufacturers, and artisans who lived relatively comfortable lives, it was the elite members of society who were accorded the honor of burial at prestigious sites like the Saqqara necropolis.
Through the meticulous study of these stucco-shrouded portrait mummies, researchers continue to unravel the complexities of ancient Egyptian culture and shed light on the lives of its privileged few.
Nhờ công nghệ CT hiện đại, các nhà khảo cổ học giờ đây đã có thể đi sâu vào bí mật của ba xác ướp Ai Cập cổ đại được phát hiện vào năm 1615 sau Công Nguyên. Được khai quật trong một ngôi mộ cắt bằng đá cách đây hơn bốn thế kỷ tại nghĩa địa Saqqara của Ai Cập cổ đại, những xác ướp này – một nam, một nữ và một cô gái tuổi teen – đại diện cho một số ví dụ duy nhất còn sót lại về những xác ướp chân dung được phủ bằng vữa. Thay vì đặt trong quan tài, họ được đặt trên những tấm ván gỗ trước khi được bọc trong những tấm vải liệm xác ướp chất lượng cao và trang trí bằng thạch cao 3D, vàng và các bức chân dung toàn thân.
