First-ever look inside sealed coffins reveals secrets of lizard mummies

Thanks to groundbreaking neutron tomography, not a single scientist has opened the coffin lid, making it a thrilling discovery for Egyptologists and ancient history enthusiasts alike.

This method was used by scientists at the British Museum and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) to keep artifacts in their natural, whole state, rather than to avoid the legendary curse associated with disturbing mummified remains. It was used to preserve and allow for a sneak peek. Incredibly old content.

“By harnessing the capabilities of neutron imaging, we were able to study sealed animal coffins non-invasively, furthering our knowledge of the fascinating world of animal mummification in ancient Egypt,” says UK. museum.

With neutron imaging, which can effectively “see” metals, scientists have discovered bronze or lead-copper alloys from ancient sites such as Naukratis and Tell el-Yehudye in the Nile delta, dating back to 1000 BC. We were able to examine the coffins of six animals of circa. Three of the coffins date from 500-300 BC, the rest from 664-332 BC.

Imaging is similar to X-rays, but X-ray imaging uses neutrons to create images of objects in their path.

Inside the coffins, scientists have discovered new knowledge about the types of animals that were mummified and buried in ancient Egypt. This is probably due to ritual rather than companion animal burial.

Although the lizard species could not be identified due to size variation, the researchers were confident they had found the bones belonged to the lizard reptile. mesalina Genus. Several species of these lizards are endemic to northern Africa.

Remnants of textiles are also seen in the image, possibly suggesting that the lizard was wrapped in linen. This was a common fabric at the time for the mummification of humans and animals.

Scientists predict that these mummified lizards were associated with a sun god like Atum, an Egyptian creator whose images of cobras and eels adorned two of these coffins. Most mummified animals were bred in large numbers and often sacrificed young as offerings during religious ceremonies.

“In the first millennium BC, lizards were commonly mummified in ancient Egypt, along with other reptiles: cats, dogs, falcons, crested ibis, shrews and fish,” says Aurelia, project curator at the British Museum. Masson Bergoff said. “Lizards, like snakes and eels, may have been associated with the ancient Egyptian sun and creator gods, especially Atum, and in the case of Naukratis, with Amun Ra Shena.”

Some underground burial grounds in ancient Egypt are estimated to contain hundreds of thousands of animal mummies, but all were carefully preserved in metal cases due to the cost of precious metals at the time. However, the three Naukratis coffins analyzed were from discoveries featuring more than 100 animal sarcophagi adorned with ornate figures of lizards, eels, and snakes.

Aside from the interesting content, neutron imaging also allowed scientists to observe the structure of the coffins, some featuring hooks suggesting they once hung tombs, others used for supports. Researchers have also speculated that lead may have been chosen for its “magical” properties, and the Egyptians of the time believed it was used as a love charm.

Anna Fedrigo, STFC Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow, said: “This study shows that we can also shed light on the internal structure of complex archaeological objects, including their manufacturing techniques and content.

“With the help of neutron imaging, the potential to learn more about the rituals and votive practices surrounding these once impenetrable animal coffins, how they were made, used and exhibited. There is,” added Masson Bergoff.

This research was published in Scientific Reports.

Check out the video below to see the neutron images that allowed us to see inside the sealed coffins and reveal what materials they were made out of.

Source: British Museum