A mummified body found more than a century ago has been digitally unsealed using CT technology to reveal the remains of a teenage boy decorated with some 50 amulets highlighting various ancient Egyptian burial ceremonies. A body has been uncovered.
The mummified remains, now called ‘Golden Boy’, were first discovered in 1916 at the Nag El Hasaya Cemetery, about 800 kilometers (500 miles) south of Cairo. The cemetery dates from 305 BC to his 30 Ptolemaic period, suggesting it is over 2,000 years old. His body has been stored in the basement of a museum in Cairo for over 100 years.
SN Saleem, SA Seddik, M el-Halwagy
Using CT scanning technology, scientists were able to examine the remains in detail without physically opening the mummies. An investigation revealed the remains of a 14- or 15-year-old boy with healthy teeth and no identifiable cause of death.
“Here we show that the body of this mummy was extensively decorated with 49 amulets. These were beautifully styled in a unique arrangement of three rows between the folds of the wrapping and within the body cavity of the mummy.” “These include the Eye of Horus, the Scarab, Ahet Horizon Amulet, Placenta, Isis Knot and more. Many were made of gold, but some were of semi-precious stones, baked clay, or faience. Their purpose was to protect and revitalize the body in the afterlife. “
Six scarab amulets were found on the surface of the boy’s head, and one large scarab amulet was found inside the torso. As part of a subsequent museum exhibit featuring the remains, researchers 3D printed this largest scarab, allowing for a unique engagement with the object’s tactile and visual qualities. The 3D-printed object has revealed many imprints that are believed to be inscriptions, but those that can be read with accuracy are frustratingly falling short of CT scanning technology.
SN Saleem, SA Seddik, M el-Halwagy
According to Saleem, the heart scarab is an important feature of the Book of the Dead. Amulets help cement the value of the deceased as they reach certain stages in the afterlife.
“The heart scarab silenced the heart on Judgment Day to prevent it from giving testimony against the deceased,” added Saleem. “It was placed inside the torso cavity during mummification and used in place of the heart if the heart organ was taken from the body.”
SN Saleem, SA Seddik, M el-Halwagy
Another interesting discovery was that the body wore open-toed sandals. I point out again that it is possible.
“These sandals were probably meant to help the boy get out of the coffin,” Saleem said. .”
The new study is not the first to use CT technology to study the remains of mummified remains. Saleem recently used this technique to study an even older set of remains, the 3,500-year-old Amenhotep his I mummy.
A new study was published in medical frontier.
Source: Frontiers
