The most unsettling archaeological find of the year so far has been the Egyptian researchers who have finally solved the mystery surrounding the infamous “Screaming Woman” mummy discovered in Luxor, Egypt nearly a century ago.
Known for her eerie, wide-open mouth expression, the mummy was unearthed by an expedition led by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in 1935. Today, scientists are using advanced technology to delve into the past, uncovering fascinating details about the woman’s life, death, and the process of mummification.
Dr. Sahar Saleem, the head of the research team and a radiology professor at Cairo University’s Qasr Al Aynee Hospital, utilized CT scans, scanning electron microscopes, and other cutting-edge equipment to virtually dissect the body and provide a clear picture of the individual behind the mummy.
Despite the presence of internal organs like the brain (which are typically removed during mummification), the team uncovered the use of high-quality imported materials in the embalming process.
“This, along with the mummy’s excellent preservation, challenges the previous notion that the presence of organs indicated poor mummification quality,” Salim explained.
Previously, it was believed that the presence of organs and a careless mummification process led to her terrifying expression, but new findings have shed doubt on that theory.
She was estimated to be around 48 years old at the time of death, standing at about 1.54 meters (approximately 5 feet) tall. Displaying signs of mild spinal arthritis and having lost several teeth before death, she held a significant position as indicated by the use of costly substances like juniper and frankincense in her mummification process.
“Tutankhamun’s tomb also contained frankincense and juniper,” remarked Salim.
So, how did her face become distorted, if not due to negligence? The researchers hypothesize that it was a result of cadaveric spasms, a rare form of muscular rigidity typically associated with violent death or extreme pain.
“The Screaming Woman serves as a literal time capsule that documents her death and mummification process,” stated Salim.
Despite this, no evidence pointing to a cause of death was found by the authors. While such spasms are often linked to violent altercations or drowning, there is no conclusive evidence linking them to her demise.
2,500 years later, this mummy, housed in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, continues to harbor mysteries waiting to be unveiled.
About the Experts
Sahar Saleem, a radiology professor at Cairo University specializing in paleoradiology, uses radiology to study mummies. She discovered a knife wound in Ramses III’s throat, the likely cause of his death.
read more:
Source: www.sciencefocus.com
