Mummified Daughters of King Tutankhamun: Archeologic and CT Studies

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to use MDCT to examine two mummies found in the tomb of King Tutankhamun to estimate their gestational ages at mummification, to determine the mummification method, and to investigate the congenital deformities of one of the mummies that had been suspected at previous medical examinations. MATERIALS AND METHODS. MDCT was performed on the mummies of the daughters of King Tutankhamun (article numbers 317a and 317b), and the images were reconstructed and subjected to forensic imaging analysis. RESULTS. The gestational ages at mummification of mummies 317a and 317b were estimated to be approximately 24.7 and 36.78 weeks. The skeletal congenital anomalies of mummy 317b suggested at past radiographic analysis were ruled out. CONCLUSION. The results of this study may set a precedent for use of CT and forensic image analysis in the study of ancient mummified fetuses.