Egyptian Mummy Science

Recent Discoveries

Continuing Research on the Mummies of Akhmim

By Jonathan P. Elias, Ph. D., Director, Akhmim Mummy Studies Consortium

Mummies are a source of enduring fascination not only as sources of bioanthropological information but in connection with the study of ancient Egyptian beliefs about resurrection and the technical means of achieving eternal life. Research on Egyptian mummification is still in its infancy, but is rapidly improving through use of computed tomography (CT) on Ptolemaic mummies, and those of earlier periods. The mummy CT scan ("cat-scan") is a powerful tool for new mummy discoveries and for achieving a new understanding about ancient Egyptian views of life and death. The scanning process produces important data sets on ancient Egyptian people which are archived by the Akhmim Mummy Studies Consortium. The Consortium is involved in ground-breaking forensic research on the ancient population of the Egyptian city of Akhmim/Panopolis) as it existed during the Egyptian Saite Period (664-525 BC), Late Period (525-305 BC) and Ptolemaic Era (305-30 BC).

Evidence of Ancient Surgery

Recent CT scanning by the Milwaukee Public Museum and the Akhmim Studies Consortium detected unexpected evidence of trepanation in an Egyptian mummy dating to the Saite Period (664-525 BC). The mummy and his inner coffin were discovered in the mid-1880's at Akhmim and were acquired by the Meinecke family of Milwaukee. The Meineckes donated this mummy and another of Ptolemaic date (ca. 250 BC) to the Milwaukee Public Museum in 1887.

This Saite mummy and his coffin are today catalogued as MPM A10264. General analysis of the CT scan indicates that the mummy is that of a mature male, at least 40-45 years old, who suffered from age-related periodontal problems in both upper and lower jaws (both abscessing and bone resorption). The occlusal surfaces of the teeth show moderate to severe levels of dental attrition (enamel wear), and the upper incisors are especially worn. The coffin containing this mummy is inscribed with the name “Djedhor, son of Padiamun and Neshmet-Renenutet”. This Djedhor is titled “washerman of the wrapped (ones) of the house of Min, Lord of Akhmim”; the term “washerman” refers to an important funerary specialist, and the house of Min is the main city temple.

Original wrapping in direct contact with the crown and sides of the head remains in situ, but bandages covering the face of the mummy have been cut away by early investigators, and the outlying shroud is disturbed in the head area. Beneath the intact wrappings, the 2006 scan revealed a large hole in the summit of MPM 10264’s cranium. Its specific form is a broad ellipse with semi-regular margins measuring 53 mm (A-P) by 43.5 mm (R-L). It is aligned centrally behind the coronal suture in the sagittal plane, located 107.0 -111.0 mm behind the upper margin of the right and left orbits, respectively. The aperture was completely hidden by overlying bandages supported by a small amount of textile wadding that had been inserted into the opening. In one or two areas, the traces of circumferential borings may be apparent. The presence of eight to ten small holes, approximately 8 mm in diameter, is noted. These represent a trepanation technique in which small holes were drilled circumferentially and then connected by removing the interstitial bone tabs or separations between them.

We have suggested in an upcoming article (Elias et al. 2011) that the trepanation of the skull of this mummy was performed in response to symptoms associated with a supraorbital abscess identified by Dr. Robert Yohe (University of California, Bakersfield) in the upper wall of the left orbit communicating with the frontal sinus (Elias et al., 2009). Possible etiologies for the lesion include: acute sinusitis, cellulitis and Cat Scratch Disease (all forms of bacterial infection having the potential of spreading into an adjacent orbit and creating deposits of pus). Another possibility considered was Potts’ Puffy tumor and other kinds of metastatic growths. Such conditions would likely have been accompanied by symptoms affecting the appearance and function of the left eye including eyelid edema, proptosis (eye protrusion of non-endocrine origin), loss of visual acuity and a general body temperature of at least 38° C (100.4 °F). In theory, trepanation would have addressed these symptoms in a meaningful way. Additional investigation of the "Djedhor Case" is planned for late 2011.

Elias, J., Lupton, C., and Hoppa R. 2011. Evidence of Trepanation in a 26^th Dynasty Mummy from Akhmim, Egypt. Poster, 7^th World Congress on Mummy Studies, San Diego,California, June 12-June 16.

Elias, J., Lupton, C., Yohe, R. and Hoppa, R. 2009. Getting the Hole Picture: Possible Trepanation in Response to Sinus Infection as seen in an Akhmimic Mummy, Poster, 36th Annual Meeting of the Paleopathology Association Chicago, Illinois, March 31 – April 1.Elias, J., Lupton, C., and Hoppa R. 2011. Evidence of Trepanation in a 26^th Dynasty Mummy from Akhmim, Egypt. Poster, 7^th World Congress on Mummy Studies, San Diego,California, June 12-June 16.

Elias, J., Lupton, C., and Hoppa R. 2011. Evidence of Trepanation in a 26^th Dynasty Mummy from Akhmim, Egypt. Poster, 7^th World Congress on Mummy Studies, San Diego,California, June 12-June 16.