Scientists reveal new details about Egypt’s ‘Screaming Mummy’

Egyptian scientists have recently debunked the hypothesis that the “screaming mummy” was buried carelessly. Through the use of tomographs and spectroscopes, they discovered that the body of this ancient Egyptian woman was treated with expensive embalming compounds and was buried with full honors.

These findings challenge the notion of a hasty burial, as reported in the Frontiers in Medicine.

“We were able to demonstrate that the body of the deceased was embalmed using expensive imported reagents. This, coupled with the well-preserved external appearance of the mummy, casts doubt on the hypothesis that the presence of internal organs in the body of this woman indicates hasty or careless mummification,” said Sahar Salim, a professor at Cairo University, as quoted by the magazine’s press service.

For several years, researchers have been studying ancient Egyptian mummies using particle accelerators and advanced scientific methods. For instance, a year ago, scientists examined the “golden boy” mummy and discovered 49 amulets made of various precious metals inside its shroud.

In their latest work, Egyptian researchers conducted a thorough examination of the famous “screaming mummy.” This mummy is believed to be a relative of Senmut, the favorite architect and statesman of Queen Hatshepsut.

When the body of this elderly woman was found by American archaeologists in 1935, it immediately attracted public attention due to the unusual grimace on her face, leading to the moniker “screaming mummy.”

The grimace and the presence of internal organs in the mummy’s body led many Egyptologists to believe that the woman was carelessly mummified and hastily buried.

However, recent studies using scanning electron microscopes, infrared, and X-ray spectrographs have provided new insights. These technologies allowed scientists to reconstruct the woman’s appearance and analyze the composition of the balms used for her mummification.

Specifically, they discovered that her hair was dyed with henna, and her date palm wig was treated with a complex mixture of minerals to increase its strength. Additionally, the mummy’s body was soaked in balms that included expensive incense and juniper extract, imported from Africa or distant regions of the Eastern Mediterranean.

These findings suggest that the woman from Senmut’s tomb was mummified and buried with great care and honor. The unusual appearance of her face likely resulted from muscle spasms at the time of death or due to the peculiarities of tissue changes after mummification.