Akhmim Mummy Studies Consortium

Ancient Egypt Coming to Life through CT-based Forensic Studies

NAVIGATE:

The Scientific Study of Ancient Egyptian Mummies

 

Mummies are a source of enduring fascination; they are also keys to understanding the mysteries of ancient Egyptian culture. Research on Egyptian mummification is still in its infancy, but is rapidly improving through use of computed tomography (CT) on Ptolemaic mummies, and those of earlier periods. The mummy CT scan ("cat-scan") is a powerful tool in the quest for new knowledge about ancient Egyptian views of life and death,  The scanning process produces important data sets on ancient Egyptian people which is archived by the Akhmim Mummy Studies Consortium. The Consortium is involved in ground-breaking forensic research on the ancient population of the Egyptian city of Akhmim/Panopolis) as it existed during the Egyptian Late Period and Ptolemaic Eras (525-30 BC). Akhmim (also rendered as Akhmin, Ekhmim, Ikhmim, Achmim) is located 290 miles (470 km) south of Cairo, and is a source of a large number of mummies distributed throughout the world. Since 1986, members of AMSC have assisted mummy-owning institutions in a wide range of non-invasive analytical activities on mummified bodies of Akhmimic derivation. AMSC is dedicated to educating the public about mummy forensics and Ancient Egyptian culture from earliest days through Ptolemaic and Roman times.

 

Although it specializes in CT-based studies of Egyptian mummies, AMSC is interested in a wider range of research issues connected with the mummies under study. These include: better understanding of the ethnic composition and inter-regional diversity of the Ancient Egyptian population, Ptolemaic art and the evolution of Ptolemaic coffin style at Akhmim; analysis of burial furnishings/assemblages at the site; historical development of Akhmimic cemeteries; the development of the famous Akhmimic textile industry; study of Akhmimic linen under scanning electron microscope (SEM); creation of a series of radiocarbon dates connected with the site and its burial population.

   

 

ANCIENT EGYPTIAN MUMMY SCIENCE INITIATIVES

 Educational Outreach and Presentations

AMSC is dedicated to public education about the ancient Egyptian mummies and offers a variety of mummy science programs, mummy forensics presentations and science and art exhibitions related to Ancient Egypt. Please contact Dr. Jonathan Elias, Director, via the links provided, to arrange a talk or workshop for your school or group or to inquire about AMSC's exhibitions on Ancient Egyptian mummies, mummy science, forensic reconstruction, the history of mummy-oriented research, and other aspects of the fascinating culture of ancient Egypt.

AMSC has delivered affordable presentations throughout the East Coast that have enriched the public's understanding of science concepts and the exciting field of mummy forensics. Invitations from corporate groups are welcomed. AMSC has presented its fascinating research as a core of effective team-building exercises, fundraisers and entertaining culltural events.

Ancient Egyptian mummy programs are 1.25 to 1.5 hours in length, and include rich content relating to mummy science, ancient diet, culture, health and wellness, and forensic facial reconstruction issues. Audience participation and Q & A periods are part of the experience. Powerpoint Presentation equipment and demonstration models are provided.

To schedule a presentation for your group on Egyptian mummies, forensic facial reconstruction, for purposes of science education, project inspiration or fundraising, contact: director@amscresearch.com.

Recent Research Collaborations

 

The Akhmim Mummy Studies Consortium works to improve understanding of the mummies of Ancient Egypt through creative collaboration with museums and researchers around the world. Below is a sample of current Egyptian mummy research project involvement: 

  • AMSC is currently providing important background information relating to a mummy in Santiago Chile. It has been in Chile since 1890.
  • Conservation of the mummy of Annie (AMSC-4) is currently being planned under the auspices of COSI (Columbus Ohio). The work is to be performed by conservator Mimi Leveque, with the assistance of AMSC's Jonathan Elias.
  • Preliminary analysis on CT scans provided to it by the Putnam Museum of Davenport, Iowa. The scans were performed by Dr. Andrew Berkow of the Genesis Medical Center on August 21st 2007.  The mummies are those of a female found within an anthropoid coffin of the 21st Dynasty (1069-945 BC) inscribed with the name Isis-neferit, and of a male (name unknown) which appears to date to the Late Ptolemaic Period. It wears a cartonnage mask whose style connects it with the Faiyum region, most likely with the cemeteries of Hawara or Tebtynis. Reports on this recent work are available in PDF format (see Research Reports).
  • CT scan analysis of the mummy of Shep-en-min (Vassar College CC 79.1). The mummy was scanned on April 8, 2008 in Fishkill, NY by the imaging staff of Vassar Brothers Medical Center. The mummy (AMSC-15) is the son of Pahat, whose mummy (Berkshire Museum 1903.4.77) was scanned by the Consortium in June 2007. 

Religious motifs on Egyptian coffins are of considerable interest and form a major aspect of AMSC's research interests.© 2008 Akhmim Mummy Studies Consortium. All Rights Reserved.

AMSC Image Library Project 

     AMSC is currently assembling image information relating to the subjects of artistic evolution in funerary arts. A wide array of images relating to religious motifs and artistic hands in currently available. AMSC is also building an image library documenting the early history of excavation in Egypt, in the form of albumen prints, woodcuts, copper plate engravings and other documents. It is hoped that these sources will provide scholars with clues enabling them to understand sites where archaeological details were not well recorded in the past.

 

Linen from an Akhmimic Mummy. Spots of resin adhere to the fabric. © 2008 Akhmim Mummy Studies Consortium. All Rights Reserved.
Educational Program Requests
AMSC Image Library Requests

Felix Bonfils. “167. Statue renversée de Sésostris à Thebes/Egypte.”). 279 x 214 mm. Albumen prints such as this (taken at the Ramesseum sometime after 1867) are one component of the data resources in the AMSC image library. © 2008 Akhmim Mummy Studies Consortium. All Rights Reserved.

 

AKHMIM MUMMY STUDIES CONSORTIUM

P.O. Box 84, Harrisburg, PA 17108-0084 USA

For information on the Consortium's activities, contact  director@amscresearch.com