The Agonizing Death of the 'Screaming' Mummy: New Insights from Modern Science

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In 1935, archaeologists discovered a mysterious mummy beneath a tomb at Deir Elbahari, near Luxor, the site of ancient Thebes. The body, believed to be that of a woman, was found in a burial chamber beneath the site of Senmut, the architect and overseer of royal works, and reportedly the lover of Queen Hatshepsut, who lived from 1479 to 1458 BCE.

 

When the mummy was unwrapped, her mouth was wide open, giving the eerie appearance of a scream. Initially, this expression was thought to be the result of a sloppy embalming process, suggesting that the woman was not of significant importance. Typically, embalmers would close the jaw and seal it with bandages. However, new research by Cairo University has revealed a different story.

 

 

The initial examinations indicated that her organs had not been removed, which, along with the open mouth, led experts to believe she had not been worthy of a full embalming. However, a detailed analysis has shown that she was embalmed with expensive imported oils of frankincense and juniper, and her wig was treated with quartz, magnetite, and albite crystals. These findings suggest she was of high status, as the tomb of the pharaoh Tutankhamun also contained frankincense and juniper. Dr. Sahar Saleem, a professor of radiology at Kasr Al Ainy Hospital of Cairo University, stated, "The mummy’s screaming facial expression in this study could be read as a cadaveric spasm, implying that the woman died screaming from agony or pain."

 

 

Cadaveric spasm is a rare form of muscular stiffening typically associated with violent deaths under extreme physical conditions and intense emotion. Experts believe the woman was mummified quickly after death before her jaw relaxed, leaving embalmers unable to close her mouth as usual. Dr. Saleem added, "The Screaming Woman is a true 'time capsule' of the way that she died and was mummified. Here we show that she was embalmed with costly, imported embalming material. This, and the mummy’s well-preserved appearance, contradicts the traditional belief that a failure to remove her inner organs implied poor mummification."

 

 

The new study suggests she was likely an important relative of Senmut, whose fate remains unknown. He left public life abruptly during Hatshepsut’s reign and, despite planning two elaborate tombs for himself, was not buried in either. Radiographers used CT scans to "virtually dissect" the screaming mummy and estimate her age, health, and state of preservation. The tests showed she was around 48 years old when she died and just over 5ft tall. There was no obvious cause of death, but the presence of osteophytes, or bone spurs, on her vertebrae indicated she had mild arthritis of the spine. She lacked several teeth, which were probably lost before death as there was evidence of bone resorption, which occurs when a tooth comes out and the socket is left to heal. Other teeth were broken.

 

The mummy showed no embalming incision, consistent with the discovery that the brain, diaphragm, heart, lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys, and intestines were still present. The classic method of mummification in the New Kingdom (1550–1069 BCE) included the removal of all such organs except the heart. The woman was buried in a painted wooden coffin and wore two scarab rings in silver and gold. This research was published in *Frontiers in Medicine* and provides new insights into the life and death of this mysterious woman, whose agonizing final moments have been preserved for millennia.

 

Credit: Daily Telegraph  2024-08-03

 

 

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[Theforgotten1]

For all the LBGTGFTSRGDEGHIJHFDSRGVCJKHFVB  how do they know she identifies as a woman