Forensic Sci Med Pathol (2014) 10:139–141 DOI 10.1007/s12024-013-9508-5
LESSONS FROM THE MUSEUM
The contribution of radiology to the study of the past: the Venetian experience—the mummies of the Fontego dei Turchi Michela Disaro’ • Paolo Sartori
Accepted: 10 October 2013 / Published online: 26 November 2013 Ó Springer Science+Business Media New York 2013
Introduction Before the advent of radiology, ancient mummies were explored and analyzed through a physical examination that could lead to irreversible damage. The discovery of the X-ray and the development of computerized tomography (CT) enabled the development of a non-invasive, conservative approach to the study of such relics [1]. At its inception in Egypt, the mummification process was exclusive to the Pharaohs. During the course of the Ancient Reign it was gradually extended to individuals with a prominent social position, to wealthy people, and to those animals considered sacred, which were then positioned next to the deceased [2].
restoration, and the discovery of gold powder on its face, the hypothesis was developed that the Mummy was actually the remains of a person of high lineage. In fact, support for this hypothesis was established following a more careful reading of Miani’s diaries in which the presence of the precious metal on the mummy’s face was described [4]. Additionally, the discovery of numerous embalmed crocodiles with the mummy led to the conclusion that the human remains were those of a priestess of the god Sobek, incarnated by this animal, and depicted as a man with a crocodile head. This indicated that the crocodile itself had been considered sacred and had been duly nurtured and revered by the priests and priestess of this god [6].
Radiological findings The discovery of the mummies The Italian explorer Giovanni Miani (1810–1872) kept detailed journals of his journeys in previously unexplored areas in Northern Africa (1859–1872) [3]. In 1859–60, Miani discovered a number of human mummies, in proximity to several embalmed crocodiles, resting in a cave above the Arabian Chain [4], close to Manfalut, the necropolis of the crocodiles [5]. A number of these mummies were transported by the explorer to Italy and donated to the city of Venice. Initially, the identity of the mummy was ascribed to a pygmy inhabitant of that area of Africa due to the dark color of the skin. At a later stage, however, following a meticulous M. Disaro’ (&) P. Sartori Department of Radiology, SS Giovanni e Paolo Hospital, Castello 6777, 30122 Venice, Italy e-mail:
[email protected]
The human mummy and one of the two crocodiles found in proximity to it were examined using multidetector CT (MDCT 16-slice) equipment with subsequent and focused revisions. The aims of the study were: (1) to evaluate possible causes of death or pre-existing pathologies; (2) to approximately determine the age and sex; and (3) to verify the presence of any valuables located inside the bodies. The mummies were positioned individually inside the gantry on their own wooden supports. Multilevel and tridimensional reconstructions were carried out, as well as targeted measurements of density with a dedicated workstation. The human mummy skeleton was severely damaged, with an absent right humerus and multiple fractures. A representative fracture was located in the left femur, which had a wide spiral fracture without any features of bone healing at the fracture site, a characteristic that was also
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preservation of the morphology and height of the vertebrae, especially in the tail. Several articular dislocations were identified in the limbs, with no signs of fracture (Fig. 3). No jewels were found inside any of the bodies.
Discussion
Fig. 1 Coronal section: left femur: spiral fracture, hips: degenerative osteoarthritis; pelvis: round to oval conformation
found in other fractures. The pelvis presented an obtuse subpubic angle with a round to oval shape. The hips had been affected by significant degenerative arthritis, which was also found in other areas (Fig. 1). The skull appeared to have been detached from the rest of the body and resecured to it using a long, thin wooden awl inserted into the spinal canal. Inside the cranial cavity, 70 cc of material was located, at the base of the occipital bone (Fig. 2). In the abdominal cavity the presence of slightly hypodense material was detected. The CT radiographic analyses of the crocodile mummy revealed a better preserved relic. Scoliosis was found with
Fig. 2 Sagittal section: presence of a wooden awl that secures the skull to the spinal canal; hypodense material collected by gravity at the base of the occiput within the cranium cavity
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Current MDCT equipment facilitates the acquisition of volumetric images with the possibility of multilevel and tridimensional reconstruction, virtual navigation, and accurate measurements of the density of various materials or objects that may be detected within a mummy. The CT method is appropriate for use with such materials (known as ‘‘linen packages’’ usually contained in the thoracicabdominal cavity of the mummies). In fact such bundles, being constituted from dehydrated internal organs and mixed with different resins, generally mask the details of skeletons when simple standard X-rays are undertaken. An additional advantage of this method is the ability to identify small jewels that are frequently contained in the bandages of the mummies. These cannot be identified by standard X-ray methods and, in fact, could only be detected through manual bandage removal before the commencement of CT. The appearance of the multiple fractures indicates that they occurred post mortem, probably during transportation by Miani from the place of discovery to their final location without the use of any particular protective device during the journey. The pelvis shape is that of a woman. The significant osteoarthritic changes, detected mainly in the coxo-femur articulations, indicated an age of 55–60 years at the time of death, consistent with the life expectancy of that period. The presence of apparent cerebral material provided evidence of only partial evisceration. Furthermore, the low density material detected in the abdominal cavity provided possible confirmation that linen bandages were mixed with
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the facial skin. These were linked to a fragment of gold mask that had been placed over the face, and also provide evidence of a black resinous product scattered on the whole of the body (bitumen in the Arabic language: muˆmıˆa) that suggests that the mummification process occurred in the Ptolemaic period (during the Romano-Greek period), when the use of bitumen in mummification was widespread. This date was subsequently confirmed by C14 examination. The two animals positioned alongside the mummy were entombed simultaneously with the woman, as could be assumed considering the sacred service given by the priestess during her life. Modern radiological techniques facilitate the study of highly delicate and precious relics or objects in a manner which enhances and ensures their conservation. Radiologists, therefore, in addition to being committed to diagnostic activity on the living, are now more frequently faced with the added challenge of applying analytical diagnostic methods to a new category of ‘‘special patients.’’ This has become possible through improvements in imaging techniques, marking a fascinating conjunction between ancient and modern times.
Fig. 3 3D reconstruction; scoliosis with good conservation of the vertebral bodies; articular dislocations of the limbs without detectable fractures
resins and placed into the cavity during mummification, a process that was in use during the assumed period of the mummy. The well preserved vertebrae of the crocodile mummy indicate that the animal was young. Additionally, the dislocations detected at the limb level, without any sign of concomitant fractures, indicate that these dislocations were due to natural degradation of the ligamentous structures, and not to traumatic events. The spectroscopic microanalyses undertaken with a scanning microscope in the laboratory of the Department of Science and Technology of Materials at Ca` Foscari University, Venice, confirmed the presence of traces of gold on
References 1. Cosmacini P, Piacentini P. Notes on the history of the radiological study of Egyptian mummies: from X-rays to new imaging techniques. Radiol Med. 2008;113:615–26. 2. Braunstein EM, White S, Russell W, Harris JE. Paleoradiologic evaluation of the Egyptian royal mummies. Skeletal Radiol. 1988;17:348–52. 3. Romanato G. Giovanni Miani e il contributo Veneto alla conoscenza dell’Africa. Rovigo: Ed. Minelliana; 2005. 4. Miani G. Spedizione verso le origini del Nilo (1859–60). Rivista Contemporanea. 1862;29:89–136. 5. Leigh T. Narrative of a journey in Egypt and the country beyond the cataract. London: Abemarle-Street; 1816. 6. Dolzani C. Il Dio Sobek. Roma: Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei; 1961.
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