For almost a hundred years, the “Screaming Woman” mummy found in Luxor, Egypt, has captivated audiences with her haunting open-mouthed expression. New evidence from researchers in Egypt now suggests more chilling details. Cairo University radiologist Dr. Sahar Saleem and anthropologist Samia El-Merghan recently reported that the woman may have met a painful end, possibly dying screaming from agony or pain. This revelation came after extensive examination using CT scans and other diagnostic tools, with their study being published in the journal Frontiers in Medicine.
The researchers estimated that the woman was about 48 years old and stood at approximately 5-foot-1. While the findings are not definitive, the study highlighted that various factors could influence a mummy’s appearance, from burial practices to post-mortem changes.
Contrary to the popular theory that the embalmers neglected to properly close her mouth, which could explain other mummies with similar expressions, the researchers did not find evidence to suggest that the woman had undergone a poor mummification process. In fact, the funerary techniques employed on mummy CIT8 indicated good mummification quality, including the use of a wig, rings, expensive imported embalming materials, and placement in a wooden coffin.
Despite the detailed examination, the mummy’s cause of death remains unknown. Discovered between 1935 and 1936 near the tomb of Senmut in Luxor, the “Screaming Woman” was later kept at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. According to the study, she was believed to be a relative of Senmut, an architect during the reign of Queen Hatshepsut, one of ancient Egypt’s most powerful female leaders. The circumstances surrounding Senmut’s final years also continue to be a mystery.
This new evidence sheds light on the potential agony and pain experienced by the “Screaming Woman” mummy, adding a layer of complexity to her already enigmatic presence. Further research and analysis may provide additional insights into the lives and deaths of individuals from ancient civilizations, unraveling more mysteries of the past for modern audiences to contemplate and learn from.
