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The mummified head of Nebiri
(Photocredit: Francesca Lallo) |
Live Science just put out a great article discussing the reconstruction of the face and brain of a 3,500-year-old Egyptian mummy. The remains of the mummy included a beautifully preserved head and canopic jars containing internal organs, all of which belong to an Egyptian dignitary named Nebiri. Nebiri lived under the reign of Thutmoses III during the 18th Dynasty.
Two years ago, this mummy had been diagnosed with the oldest reported case of chronic heart failure. He had died sometime between the ages of 45 and 60 years and his remains were desecrated when his tomb was plundered in antiquity. What was left of this mummy was found by Ernesto Schiaparelli in 1904. Those remains are now housed in the Egyptian Museum in Turin.
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Facial reconstruction of Nebiri
(Photo Credit: Philippe Froesch) |
Using modern forensic techniques, researchers were able to reconstruct the face of Nebiri. They were also able to use similar techniques to reveal the patterns of linen bandage wrapping around the head. Combined with preliminary chemical data from the bandages that were presented at the 2013 World Mummy Congress, researchers were able to better understand the role that mummification techniques played in the preservation of these remains. Additionally, the intact brain within this well-preserved head was scanned using non-invasive techniques and reconstructed. The meticulous work of the Egyptians who prepared Nebiri's body gave modern researchers insights into the life that he led.
As an added bonus to this excellent article, the MSFS was mentioned by our very own, Dario Piombino-Mascali in the article!
You can check out the article for yourself
here! Be sure to note the name of Raffaella Bianucci, a co-author on this project who is also a scientific collaborator for the MSFS!
