A gripping analysis of the results of the groundbreaking imaging technology used to examine the royal mummies of the New Kingdom, now in paperback
The royal mummies in the Cairo Museum are an important source of information about the lives of the ancient Egyptians. The remains of these pharaohs and queens can inform us about their age at death and medical conditions from which they may have suffered, as well as the mummification process and objects placed within the wrappings.
Using the latest technology, including Multi-Detector Computed Tomography and DNA analysis, co-authors Zahi Hawass and Sahar Saleem present the results of the examination of royal mummies of the Eighteenth to Twentieth Dynasties. New imaging techniques not only reveal a wealth of information about each mummy, but render amazingly lifelike and detailed images of the remains. In addition, utilizing 3D images, the anatomy of each face has been discerned for a more accurate interpretation of a mummy’s facial features. This latest research has uncovered some surprising results about the genealogy of, and familial relationships between, these ancient individuals, as well as some unexpected medical finds.
Historical information is provided to place the royal mummies in context, and the book with its many illustrations will appeal to Egyptologists, paleopathologists, and non-specialists alike, as the authors seek to uncover the secrets of these most fascinating members of the New Kingdom royal families.
Price: $39.95
Pages: 376
Publisher: The American University in Cairo Press
Imprint: The American University in Cairo Press
Publication Date:
04 September 2018
Trim Size: 9.50 X 7.50 in
ISBN: 9789774168871
Format: Paperback
Named an Outstanding Academic Title of the Year by CHOICE
"Essential. A superb, semi-popular account of the results of CT imaging performed on several New Kingdom Egyptian royal mummies. . . . The results are sometimes surprising but always fascinating. . . . This book will be of great interest not only to scholars but to anyone else fascinated by Egyptian mummies."—Choice
"[A] remarkable book. The scans are reproduced for all to see and an extensive section of color images provides information never before reported. The comprehensive bibliography is also a contribution. This volume sets a high standard for future scans of the mummies of ancient Egypt."—Bob Brier, Journal of the American Oriental Society
"This publication is certainly a great step forward on the path to the discovery and understanding of the life and thought of the ancient Egyptians through multidisciplinary research on the royal mummies."—Bretislav Vachala, Archiv Orientální
"Fascinating and well-organized . . . incredibly appealing. Imaging professionals and those who are interested in ancient history will find this book fascinating."—Patti Hensel, Radiologic Technology
Zahi Hawass is one of the world’s best known Egyptologists, former Egyptian minister of state for antiquities, and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence. He is the author of many books on ancient Egypt, including
Discovering Tutankhamun: From Howard Carter to DNA (AUC Press, 2013.)
Sahar Saleem, professor of radiology at Cairo University, is a specialist in advanced imaging technology with experience in paleoradiology.
|
List of Tables
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Chronology
Introduction
1. Radiographic Imaging of Royal Egyptian Mummies: Previous and Current Studies Introduction
MDCT Scanning Technique
MDCT Image Analysis and Reconstruction
Other Methods of CT Image Reconstruction
Image Interpretation
Conclusion
2. The Story of the Royal Caches
Historical Introduction
The Cache of Deir al-Bahari (DB320)
The Second Royal Cache: The Tomb of Amenhotep II (KV35)
Sidelight: The Abdel Rasoul Family
The Mummies in the Valley of the Kings
3. The Discovery of the Mummy of Queen Hatshepsut, and Examination of the Mummies of Her Family
Historical Introduction
The Search for the Queen
Sidelight: Adventure in the Valley
Sidelight: Hatshepsut’s Box
The Discovery
DNA Testing
Conclusions
4. CT Examination of Selected Mid- to Late Eighteenth Dynasty Mummies
Historical Introduction: The Reign of Amenhotep II to the Amarna Period
Examination of the Mummies
5. The CT Scan of the Mummy of Tutankhamun: New Evidence on the Life and Death of the King
Historical Introduction
The Mummy of Tutankhamun
CT Scanning of the Mummy
Conclusions
Sidelight: A New Theory about the "Burned" Mummy of Tutankhamun
6. The Two Fetuses Found in the Tomb of Tutankhamun
Historical Introduction
Previous Plain X-ray Study of Mummy 317b
Results of the CT Scan of the Two Fetuses
Comparison between Findings of the CT Study and the Previous Plain X-ray Studies
7. Investigations into King Tutankhamun’s Family
Historical Introduction
The Parentage and Family of Tutankhamun: The DNA Evidence
Results of the Research
Marfan’s Disease and the Family of Tutankhamun
8. The Search for the Mummy of Queen Nefertiti
Historical Introduction
The Mummy of Nefertiti: Recent Theories
The KV21 Mummies
CT Scans of the KV21 Mummies
The Two Fetuses in Tutankhamun’s Tomb: DNA Analysis Conclusions
Sidelight: Mutnodjmet
9. The Nineteenth Dynasty
Historical Introduction
CT Examination of Selected Mummies of the Nineteenth Dynasty
Sidelight: The Exodus
Sidelight: Questions about Ramesses II and Merenptah
10. The Twentieth Dynasty: Ramesses III, Pentawere, and the Harem Conspiracy
Historical Introduction
Examination of Ramesses III and Unknown Man E
Sidelight: New Evidence on the Death of Ramesses III
11. CT Findings on the Mummification Process of Royal Ancient Egyptians, Eighteenth to Early Twentieth Dynasties
Mummification in Ancient Egypt
Body Position
CT Features of Ancient Egyptian Embalming Materials
Head Mummification and Excerebration
Evisceration: Removal of Viscera and Visceral Packs
Cosmetic Care and Beautification of Mummies
Multiple Restorations
Mummification Features as Dating Criteria
12. Amulets, Funerary Figures, and Other Objects Found on the Mummies
Introduction
Jewelry
Amulets and Funerary Figures
Beads and Stones
Other Foreign Objects
13. Faces of the Royal Mummies
Introduction
Features of the Faces and Heads of the Royal Mummies in CT Images
CT Craniofacial Features
Facial Reconstruction
The Facial Reconstruction of Tutankhamun
Conclusion
Appendix: List of the Royal Mummies in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo
Glossary
Illustration Credits
List of Abbreviations
Notes
Bibliography
Index
|
|
