Modern imaging and endoscopic biopsy techniques in Egyptian mummies

Notman, DN; Tashjian, Joseph H.; Aufderheide, AC; Cass, Oliver W.; Shane, rd Oc; Berquist, T H; Gray, J E; Gedgaudas, Eugene

doi:10.2214/ajr.146.1.93

Cited by 67 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 5 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…From this perspective and with our fossil experiments in mind, it is perhaps surprising that, after early MRI studies on mummies had resorted to rehydration (Piepenbrink, 1986) or abandoned imaging alltogether after examining the induction decay signal (Notman et al, 1986), reports of successful MR imaging of non-rehydrated mummies appeared only a few months ago (Karlik et al, 2007;Münnemann et al, 2007). These new findings suggest a reconsideration of MRI for the study of mummified or otherwise preserved ancient tissue samples, e.g.…”

Section: Perspectives For Fossil Mrimentioning

confidence: 91%

Three-dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of fossils across taxa

Mietchen

Aberhan²,

Manz

et al. 2008

Biogeosciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. The frequency of life forms in the fossil record is largely determined by the extent to which they were mineralised at the time of their death. In addition to mineral structures, many fossils nonetheless contain detectable amounts of residual water or organic molecules, the analysis of which has become an integral part of current palaeontological research. The methods available for this sort of investigations, though, typically require dissolution or ionisation of the fossil sample or parts thereof, which is an issue with rare taxa and outstanding materials like pathological or type specimens. In such cases, non-destructive techniques could provide a valuable methodological alternative. While Computed Tomography has long been used to study palaeontological specimens, a number of complementary approaches have recently gained ground. These include Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) which had previously been employed to obtain three-dimensional images of pathological belemnites non-invasively on the basis of intrinsic contrast. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether 1 H MRI can likewise provide anatomical information about nonpathological belemnites and specimens of other fossil taxa. To this end, three-dimensional MR image series were acquired from intact non-pathological invertebrate, vertebrate and plant fossils. At routine voxel resolutions in the range of several dozens to some hundreds of micrometers, these images reveal a host of anatomical details and thus highlight the potential of MR techniques to effectively complement existing methodological approaches for palaeontological investigations in a wide range of taxa. As for the origin of the MR signal, relaxation and diffusion measurements as well as 1 H and 13 C MR spectra acquired from a belemnite suggest intracrystalline water or hydroxyl groups, rather than organic residues.

show abstract

Section: Perspectives For Fossil Mrimentioning

confidence: 91%

Three-dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of fossils across taxa

Mietchen

Aberhan²,

Manz

et al. 2008

Biogeosciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Of particular interest is the use of non-invasive techniques such as radiography and computed tomographic (CT) scan imaging which have highlighted numerous embalming, paleopathological, osteometric and craniodental features. The earliest radiological studies of mummified Egyptian remains were those of König in 1896 and Petrie in 1898, (quoted by Notman et al, 1986), soon after Roentgen's historic discovery. Vahey and Brown (1984) performed the first CT scans of an Egyptian mummy, after which Lewin (1988) produced the first three-dimensional CT images.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Vahey and Brown (1984) performed the first CT scans of an Egyptian mummy, after which Lewin (1988) produced the first three-dimensional CT images. Since then a number of CT studies on Egyptian remains have been undertaken (Notman et al, 1986;Pickering et al, 1990;Baldock et al, 1994;Melcher et al, 1997;Dennison, 1999;Macleod et al, 2000;Thekkaniyil et al, 2000;Ruhli et al, 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spiral computed tomographic study of a pre-Ptolemaic Egyptian mummy

Dennison

Anson

Doyle

et al. 2004

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We studied an Egyptian mummy housed in the Otago Museum, Dunedin, New Zealand. Radiocarbon dating indicates that the age of the mummy is 2,358 BP, which is the period of the 30th Dynasty of Nakhthorhebe. Serial CT scans show that the heart had been removed, which is unusual among Egyptian mummies. In contrast, the brain had been left in situ. The orbital breadth suggests a degree of hypertelorism, being at the upper limit of the values recorded for ancient Egyptian males. There is extensive dental disease with excessive tooth wear and tooth loss, typical of Egyptian mummies. The wrapping material, examined under SEM, is probably a linen textile with a selvage.

show abstract

“…Endoscopy is somewhat associated with autopsy, in that direct inspection of intracavity structures and organs may be carried out (Manialawi et al, 1978;Notman et al, 1986;Tapp and Wildsmith, 1986;Bonfils et al, 1986-87;Gaber et al, 2003;Kim et al, 2006;Isidro et al, 2006). Endoscopes are equipped with lenses, resulting in magnification, and furthermore the endoscope can be outfitted with devices allowing cutting and sampling of tissue .…”

Section: Endoscopymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Bone pathology as observed by CT-scanning, indicative of TB, has been correlated with aDNA analyses . It should be mentioned that CTscanning has also been used to locate pathological processes or specific organs, to make precise incisions to perform biopsies (Notman et al, 1986;Brothwell et al, 1990), or to guide endoscopic exams (Rü hli et al, 2002).…”

Section: Ct-scanningmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mummies

Lynnerup

2007

Am. J. Phys. Anthropol.

169

115

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Mummies are human remains with preservation of nonbony tissue. Mummification by natural influences results in so-called natural mummies, whereas mummification induced by active (human) intervention results in so-called artificial mummies, although many cultures practiced burial rites, which to some degree involved both natural and artificial mummification. Since they are so uniquely well-preserved, mummies may give many insights into mortuary practices and burial rites. Specifically, the presence of soft tissues may expand the scope of paleopathological studies. Many recent mummy studies focus on the development and application of nondestructive methods for examining mummies, including radiography, CT-scanning with advanced three-dimensional visualizations, and endoscopic techniques, as well as minimally-destructive chemical, physical, and biological methods for, e.g., stable isotopes, trace metals, and DNA. This article discusses mummification and gives a presentation of various key mummy finds and a brief history of mummy studies. A description of the extant key technologies of natural and medical science that are applied in mummy studies is given; along with a discussion of some of the major results in terms of paleopathology. It is also shown how mummy studies have contributed much to the knowledge of the cultural habits and everyday life of past populations. Finally the impact of mummy studies on analyses of mortuary practices and cultural history is discussed. Yrbk Phys Anthropol 50: 162-190, 2007. V

show abstract

Modern imaging and endoscopic biopsy techniques in Egyptian mummies

Cited by 67 publications

References 5 publications

Three-dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of fossils across taxa

Three-dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of fossils across taxa

Spiral computed tomographic study of a pre-Ptolemaic Egyptian mummy

Mummies

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About