Photos: 2000 year old mummy scan reveals parts of brain still intact

A medical examination conducted on the mummy reportedly to be that of Egyptian Princess Nishushu discovered part of the brain, which was still intact.

Touted as a great deviation from the process of mummification, Princess Nishushu was believed to have died at the age of 16 in the Ptolemic period (300 BC to 100 BC). However, a detailed CT scan and X-ray examination revealed that she was around 25 years when she died.

While the ribs were damaged, there was a slight dislocation of her spine and one ankle with rest of her bones, skull and teeth remain intact. The officials also discovered that a metallic amulet has been placed inside her body.

Commenting on the discovery, N Visalatchy, Director of the Hyderabad state museum disclosed that nearly one-fourth of the brain is left inside even though there are few minor damages. She stated that there is more scope for scientific research and in fact, we tried to get the data from British museum also. However, none of the museums have any record of any data related to mummies.

AP-State-Museum-Hyderabad

Meanwhile, Vinod Daniel, Heritage Conservation Adviser to the project said that the damage to the mummy had happened due to heat, light, temperature, humidity, insects and oxygen. Some of the techniques adopted to preserve the mummy include changing the case to an oxygen-free one, which will stop the infestation of bacteria and insects and keep away humidity.

These techniques were used for the preservation project here for the first time and will set new benchmarks for the proper conservation of mummies in India and abroad, adds officials associated with the project.

Responding to media queries, B Venkatasham, secretary, Youth Advancement, Tourism, and Culture Department revealed that after the medical examination is finished, the mummy was brought back to the museum and has been placed on the newly-prepared painted cartonnage base in the showcase.

2000 year old mummy scan brain still intact

The Department of Archeology has started a project to preserve one of the six Egyptian mummies in the country to prevent it from decaying. Moreover, the officials stated that the case study conducted here will set an example for other countries.

The mummy supposed to be that of the Egyptian Princess Nishushu was obtained by sixth Nizam Mir Mehboob Ali Khan in 1920. It was donated to the museum by his son and last Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan 1930 and the mummy has been placed in the museum since 1930.