CT Scan of Nesmin from Akhmim: New Data on the Belgrade Mummy

An anthropoid wooden coffin with human mummy was purchased in Luxor in February 1888 by the Serbian mécène and world traveler Pavle Riđički (1805‒1893). Due to historical, political and cultural circumstances the first studies of the mummy did not start until May 1993. The ancient ‘patient’ ‒ Nesmin, stolist-priest of Akhmim, son of Djedhor (son of Wennefer, son of Djedhor) born to Chay-Hathor-Imw/Tjay-Hathor-imw ‒ who became known as the Belgrade mummy ‒ underwent a CT scan at the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology Center. The present paper provides the first complete analysis of the CT scan. At the time of death (350‒325 B.C.) Belgrade Nesmin was between 35 and 40 years old. A proper bioanthropological study is presented. The mummification features are discussed. The distribution of funerary amulets on the mummy has been established. The mummy’s cultural biography is specified. A museum superstition phenomenon is noted.

Two Helminthic Cases of Human Mummy Remains from Joseon-Period Graves in Korea

Our previous research on coprolite specimens from the mummies of Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910 CE) has revealed various species of parasite eggs. Herein, we added 2 new helminthic cases of human remains from Joseon-period graves in the Republic of Korea (Korea). The organic materials precipitated on the hip bones of 2 half-mummied cases (Goryeong and Gwangmyeong cases) were collected, rehydrated, and examined by a microscope. In the sample from Goryeong-gun (gun=County), ova of <i>Trichuris trichiura, Clonorchis sinensis</i>, and <i>Metagonimus</i> spp. were detected, and eggs of <i>T. trichiura</i> and <i>A. lumbricoides</i> were found from the sample of Gwangmyeong-si (si=City). By adding this outcome to the existing data pool, we confirm our previous estimates of Joseon-period parasite infection rates. The overall rates of <i>A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura</i>, and <i>C. sinensis</i> decreased dramatically from Joseon to the modern period. In Goryeong mummy specimen, we also found <i>Metagonimus</i> spp. eggs that has rarely been detected in archaeological samples so far.

Non-Destructive Analysis of Mummification Balms in Ancient Egypt, Based on EPR of Vanadyl and Organic Radical Markers of Bitumen

The black matter employed in funeral context by ancient Egyptian is a complex mixture of plant-based compounds with variable amounts of bitumen. Asphaltene, the most resistant component of bitumen, contain Vanadyl porphyrins and carbonaceous radicals which can be used as paramagnetic probes to investigate embalming materials without sample preparation. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) at X-band, combining in-phase and out-of-phase detection schemes, provides new information in a non-destructive way about the presence, the origin, and the evolution of bitumen in these complex materials. It is found that the relative EPR intensity of radicals and vanadyl porphyrins is sensitive to the origin of the bitumen. The presence of non-porphyrinic vanadyl complexes in historical samples is likely due to the complexation of VO2+ ions by carboxylic functions at the interface between bitumen and other biological components of the embalming matter. The absence of such oxygenated vanadyl complex in natural bitumen and in one case of historical human mummy acquired by a museum in the 19th century reveals a possible, non-documented, ancient restoration of this mummy by pure bitumen. The linear correlation between in-phase and out-of phase EPR intensities of radicals and vanadyl porphyrins in balms and in natural bitumen, reveals a nanostructuration of radicals and vanadyl porphyrin complexes, which was not affected by the preparation of the balm. This points to the remarkable chemical stability of paramagnetic probes in historical bitumen in ancient Egypt.

Non-Destructive Analysis of Mummification Balms in Ancient Egypt, Based on EPR of Vanadyl and Organic Radical Markers of Bitumen

The black matter employed in funeral context by ancient Egyptian is a complex mixture of plant-based compounds with variable amounts of bitumen. Asphaltene, the most resistant component of bitumen, contain Vanadyl porphyrins and carbonaceous radicals which can be used as paramagnetic probes to investigate embalming materials without sample preparation. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) at X-band, combining in-phase and out-of-phase detection schemes, provides new information in a non-destructive way about the presence, the origin, and the evolution of bitumen in these complex materials. It is found that the relative EPR intensity of radicals and vanadyl porphyrins is sensitive to the origin of the bitumen. The presence of non-porphyrinic vanadyl complexes in historical samples is likely due to the complexation of VO2+ ions by carboxylic functions at the interface between bitumen and other biological components of the embalming matter. The absence of such oxygenated vanadyl complex in natural bitumen and in one case of historical human mummy acquired by a museum in the 19th century reveals a possible, non-documented, ancient restoration of this mummy by pure bitumen. The linear correlation between in-phase and out-of phase EPR intensities of radicals and vanadyl porphyrins in balms and in natural bitumen, reveals a nanostructuration of radicals and vanadyl porphyrin complexes, which was not affected by the preparation of the balm. This points to the remarkable chemical stability of paramagnetic probes in historical bitumen in ancient Egypt.

How to exhibit a human mummy in a former monastery? The case of the body of Michael Willmann (1630–1706)

This paper discusses the mummified body of Michael Willmann (1630–1706) – one of the most outstanding painters of the Baroque period in Central Europe. Willmann’s mummy was preserved in the crypt of the former Cistercian monastery church in Lubiąż, Silesia (Poland). The article presents the history of the mummy and possibilities for opening the crypt and displaying it to the public, following the example of similar expositions in Europe which have found respectful and sensitive solutions for presenting the bodies of the deceased (e.g. Capuchin Crypt in Palermo and Capuchin Church in Brno). Willmann’s mummy is not only the body of an artist, but also a part of the cultural heritage of the Lubiąż Cistercians, making it worthy museification. This issue is particularly important in the context of the plans for establishing the Michael Willmann Museum in the former Cistercian monastery church in Lubiąż.

El despertar de la “Bella Durmiente”: pasado, presente y futuro de la Sala Egipcia del Museo Provincial Emilio Bacardí Moreau, Santiago de Cuba

The Egyptian collection of the Emilio Bacardí Moreau Provincial Museum, in the city of Santiago de Cuba, comprises a variety of objects brought from Egypt in 1912 by its founder, Emilio Bacardí Moreau. The only Egyptian human mummy in Cuba is exhibited next to the lid of an anthropomorphic coffin and the wooden base of another coffin. Additionally, many small objects like shabti figures, scarabs, a stela, coffin fragments and amulets are present. As Bacardí was not an Egyptologist, he also acquired quite a lot of counterfeits; besides, many of the exhibited objects are not properly labelled regarding their dating, context and function. Furthermore, the display lacks an adequate conservation system and a correct museography based on current international standards, concerning the exhibition of human remains. As part of the Cuban Mummy Project—a collaboration between the National Council of Cultural Heritage of Cuba (CNPC) and the Institute of Scientific Studies on Mummies of Madrid (IECIM)—and in cooperation with the Heidelberg Centre for Cultural Heritage (HCCH) of the University of Heidelberg (Germany), the correct cataloguing of all Egyptian artefacts is being undertaken, together with their appropriate display in a new exhibition layout.

Bacteria, fungi and arthropod pests collected on modern human mummies

A survey of opportunistic biocenosis (macro and micro organisms) associated with a rest of human mummy samples was carried out to characterise the biocenosis and to detect the potential of biodeteriogens. The rests of the human modern mummies come from a hypogeic site. Since mummies are relevant from a historic-artistic-scientific point of view, an aspect of this study was the identification and characterization of the biological systems related with biodeterioration of organic matter. In a first step, different sampling methods, according to the taxa, were applied. Technological procedures were combined in order to have an interdisciplinary approach to the conservation actions for testing future restoration protocols. Specimens were collected, identified and characterized by Microscopy (light, SEM, CLSM) and molecular analyses (DNA extraction, in vitro target sequence amplification, sequencing, sequence analysis). The results highlight a rather complex biocenonsis consisting of fungi, cyanobacteria, several insects and other arthropods.