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image/svg+xml Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Closed Access logo, derived from PLoS Open Access logo. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closed_Access_logo_transparent.svg Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao
Clinical Anatomy
Article . 2020 . Peer-reviewed
License: Wiley Online Library User Agreement
Data sources: Crossref
Clinical Anatomy
Article . 2021
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Experimental mummification—In the tracks of the ancient Egyptians

Authors: Öhrström, Lena; Tekin, Ahmed; Biedermann, Philipp; Morozova, Irina; Habicht, Michael; Gascho, Dominic; Bode‐Lesniewska, Beata; +3 Authors

Experimental mummification—In the tracks of the ancient Egyptians

Abstract

AbstractUnderstanding natural and artificial postmortem alterations in different tissues of the human body is essential for bioarchaeology, paleogenetics, physical anthropology, forensic medicine, and many related disciplines. With this study, we tried to gain a better understanding of tissue alterations associated with the artificial mummification techniques of ancient Egypt, in particular for mummified visceral organs. We used several entire porcine organs and organ sections (liver, lung, stomach, ileum, and colon), which provided a close approximation to human organs. First, we dehydrated the specimens in artificial natron, before applying natural ointments, according to the ancient literary sources and recent publications. We periodically monitored the temperature, pH value, and weight of the specimens, in addition to radiodensity and volumetric measurements by clinical computed tomography and sampling for histological, bacteriological, and molecular analyses. After seven weeks, mummification was seen completed in all specimens. We observed a considerable loss of weight and volume, as well as similar courses in the decay of tissue architecture but varying levels of DNA degradation. Bacteriologically we did not detect any of the initially identified taxa in the samples by the end of the mummification process, nor any fungi. This feasibility study established an experimental protocol for future experiments modeling ancient Egyptian mummification of visceral organs using human specimens. Understanding desiccation and mummification processes in non‐pathological tissues of specific visceral organs may help to identify and interpret disease‐specific alterations in mummified tissues in ancient Egyptian canopic jars and organ packages contained in whole mummies.

Country
Switzerland
Related Organizations
Keywords

anatomy, Embalming, Histology, Swine, imaging, 340 Law, 610 Medicine & health, General Medicine, 2702 Anatomy, 10218 Institute of Legal Medicine, 2722 Histology, Gastrointestinal Tract, 510 Mathematics, Liver, Animals, Feasibility Studies, Tissue Preservation, Anatomy, 610 Medicine & health, Lung

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
5
Top 10%
Average
Top 10%
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