Scientists recently used 3-D imaging technology to look inside the mummies of a cat, bird, and snake. The research is helping experts learn more about how ancient Egyptians treated animals.
Researchers said last week that they used a special technique, X-ray micro CT scanning, to look inside the mummies. The scanning process permits the scientists to study the mummies while keeping them whole. The CT scans were much more detailed than medical CT scans.
The researchers published their findings in the journal Scientific Reports.
Ancient Egyptians mummified not only humans but also many animals including cats, dogs, birds, snakes and crocodiles.
Carolyn Graves-Brown, a writer of the study, leads the Egypt Centre at Swansea University in Britain.
She noted that the three mummies were likely made as “votive offerings,” or gifts, to the gods that Egyptians believed in. The dead animals were thought to serve as a link between Egyptian gods and living people.
The mummies had long been in Swansea’s collection. Experts are not sure of their exact age.
The researchers found evidence that the snake, a young Egyptian Cobra, had been denied water while alive.
It was likely killed by a severe break of its backbone.
The researchers found the snake’s mouth open. It also contained a substance called natron. These findings suggest the snake had been part of an “opening of the mouth” ceremony, said Swansea engineering professor Richard Johnston. Johnston was the lead writer of the report.
Ancient Egyptians believed that the ceremony would permit the mummified subjects to regain their senses in the afterlife.
Graves-Brown noted that the finding supports earlier evidence that the act was carried out with animals. The scientist added, “We know it was carried out on humans.”
The cat was probably around 5 months old when it died. Its neck was broken at the time of death or during the mummification process.
The bird appears to be a Eurasian kestrel, of the falcon family.
Ancient Egyptians linked snakes to many of their gods. Cats were often linked with the fertility goddess Bastet. Some birds were linked with sky gods such as Re and Horus.
“Like us, the ancient Egyptians used and abused animals,” Graves-Brown said. “There is evidence from the mummified remains of maltreatment.“
I’m John Russell.
Will Dunham reported on this story for Reuters. John Russell adapted it for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.
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Words in This Story
3-D – adj.made in a way that causes an image to appear to be three-dimensional
mummy – n. a dead body of a person or animal prepared for burial in the manner of the ancient Egyptians by treating it with oils and wrapping it in strips of cloth
journal – n. a paper that reports on things of special interest to a particular group of people
maltreatment – n. the act of treating (someone) in a rough or cruel way