ミイラは2000年以上前のもので、英国スウォンジー大学のエジプトセンターのコレクションとして保有されていた。
© 写真 : Swansea UniversitySnake (EC308) microCT visualisations. a Top view of 3D segmentation of ROI tomogram producing higher resolution, revealing bones with a focus on the skull and associated skeletal damage, and some calcified tissue. b Segmented render of whole specimen from lower resolution scan. Half of the wrappings digitally removed to reveal snake skeleton and some higher-attenuating sections within the wrappings. c 3D segmented sub-section of lower resolution scan showing section of separated vertebrae, with a separation of approximately 5 mm. d Axial slice through the skull, revealing bone (white), and desiccated soft tissue (grey) which includes residual brain matter inside the cranium and the remains of the left eye. The intersecting lines highlight the centre of the eye. e 3D segmentation of ROI tomogram, revealing bones (grey), trachea (red), and calcified kidneys (coloured green). f Sagittal slice through the skull, revealing bone (white) and structures in the mouth, possibly inserted at the opening of the glottis. g Coronal slice through the skull and intersecting coiled vertebrae (white), calcified kidneys (light grey), and objects possibly placed in the mouth. Scale: Overall wrapped package longest length = 165 mm, Snake skull length = 14.4 mm.
蛇のミイラ
© 写真 : Swansea UniversityBird of prey (W531) microCT visualisations. a Digital segmentation of mummified bird tomogram, revealing skeletal structure and some small higher-attenuating structures within the wrappings. Morphometric measurements of tarsometatarsus, tibiotarsus, femur, ulna, radius, and carpometacarpus are superimposed. b Skull with wrapping digitally removed, revealing residual trachea. c Coronal slice revealing internal soft tissues remain intact, including the lungs; bubble-like structures in chest cavity. The feathers are visible in the cross section as elongated ellipses to the left. d Sagittal slice revealing digestive system and gizzard. Spine is at the bottom of the image, top of the bird is to the left, and bottom of the bird is to the right.
鳥のミイラ
© 写真 : Swansea UniversityCat Head (AB77a) microCT visualization—a dentition, b mandibular fractures, c left maxilla fracture, d angular deviation of the nasal, e fragmentary parts of the cranial wall and internal structures of the ear visible within the cranial cavity (2D slice image from the tomogram), f radiating fracture across left parietal, g radial fracture terminates at the suture lines, h atlas, axis, and cervical vertebrae, indicating separation and possible cause of death. Scale: skull total length—68.9 mm.
猫のミイラ
© 写真 : Swansea University3D renderings from microCT data. a Mummified cat head (AB77a) rendered from tomography data. A digital dissection, removing wrappings on left side of the head, revealing bone, and higher attenuating material used to stiffen the external wrapping of the ears. b Cat Head (AB77a) mandible, with segmented teeth, revealing unerupted mandibular first molars (red). Scale: skull total length = 68.9 mm.
猫のミイラ
蛇のミイラ
鳥のミイラ
猫のミイラ
猫のミイラ
3D画像での撮影によってミイラの解析度は高く、研究者らは、ミイラの1体が5ヵ月未満の子猫であることを確認した。子猫はおそらく窒息死している、鳥は猛禽類に属し、また、蛇は若いエジプトのアスプコブラだと判明した。蛇の腎臓の損傷跡は、生存期間を通じて脱水症状であったことを示している。蛇は神への生贄として供えられ、骨が砕かれていることから殴打によって死亡している。
古代エジプト人は、猫や蛇、ワニ、犬などをはじめ、動物をミイラ化していた。時には飼い主とともに埋葬されたが、しかし、多くの場合、貢物として捧げられ、その後、司祭が遺骸を防腐しミイラとした。こうして約7000体の動物のミイラが作られたと考えられている。
関連ニュース