In 1935, a mummy was discovered with a face frozen in a painful expression. Scientists have been trying to figure out why the mummy was buried like this for almost a century. Recent research has shed some light on the possible reasons behind this mysterious burial.
Co-author Sahar Saleem, a radiology professor, accidentally became an expert on these “screaming mummies” while investigating two royal mummies with similar expressions. Through CT scans and other imaging techniques, Saleem ruled out poor embalming and physical trauma as possible causes for the woman’s expression.
The mummy, known as the Screaming Woman, was not embalmed poorly as initially thought. Expensive embalming materials were found on her body, along with evidence of intricate hair treatments. This goes against the idea that she was mummified quickly and cheaply.
There were also no signs of physical trauma that would explain the woman’s expression. Unlike other mummies with head injuries or slit necks, the Screaming Woman showed no such indications. The method of mummification used on her was also unusual, as her organs were left intact, which was not typical during the New Kingdom period.
Another mummy, Meritamen, who was buried with an open mouth, showed signs of severe heart disease. While the Screaming Woman did not display similar symptoms, it is likely that she experienced some form of physical or emotional shock before her death.
In some cases, corpses undergo muscle contractions after death, causing a frozen expression. The ancient Egyptians likely embalmed the Screaming Woman before her face relaxed to preserve her body. However, the exact cause of her expression and death remains a mystery.
The research conducted on the Screaming Woman mummy provides valuable insights into ancient Egyptian burial practices and mummification techniques. It also highlights the importance of thorough scientific investigations to unravel mysteries from the past. The study of mummies continues to fascinate scientists and historians alike, offering a glimpse into ancient civilizations and their customs.
