Book Description

In 1999 a full-scale research project was launched by the Radiological Department of the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam and the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden in Leiden to scan a series of human and animal mummies from the museum's collection. Between 1999 and 2003, 29 human mummies, 8 dissected heads and various animal mummies were scanned and this volume presents the results of these investigations. The book begins by looking at the history of the collection and acquisitions, at early investigations carried out on the mummies from the early 19th century onwards, through to the radiological studies of the last fifty years. A general survey of mummification techniques, and archaeological and scientific research into them, is also given. The main part of the book comprises the results of the radiological scans which are discussed in terms of physical anthropology, anatomical embalming details, degree of preservation, anomalies and palaeopathology, wrappings and artefacts. This is followed by a catalogue of both the human and animal mummies (cats, lambs, birds, reptiles and fish) that were part of the project including details on acquisition, provenance, date, dimensions, description of the exterior, radiological description and comments. This is volume one of a new series of monographs dedicated to the archaeological finds in the Leiden Museum of Antiquities. Future volumes include studies of demotic contracts on papyrus, and discussion of the museum's excavations at Saqqara and Tell Sabi Abyad.