Ongoing tissue changes in an experimentally mummified human leg

Autor: Alexander Imhof, Cordula Haas, Kim Röthlin, Gülfirde Akgül, Patrick Eppenberger, Lena Öhrström, Frank J Rühli, Judith Neukamm, Christina Papageorgopoulou, Natallia Shved, Beata Bode-Lesniewska, Irina Morozova, Dominic Gascho
Rok vydání: 2019
Předmět:
Zdroj: The Anatomical Record. 303:3085-3095
ISSN: 1932-8494
1932-8486
DOI: 10.1002/ar.24333
Popis: Artificial mummification has been used since antiquity and is best known from ancient Egypt. Despite ancient Egyptian mummies being studied for several decades, the mummification techniques of that time are not well understood. Modern mummification experiments involving animal and human tissues have contributed additional insights relevant to a broad field of research. In the current study, we present follow‐up results of an experiment on artificial mummification, which began in 2009. A human leg was artificially mummified and monitored during almost a year with histological, molecular, and radiological techniques. Since then, it has remained in a dry, natron salt blend for nine years. The current analyses show further progression of dehydration and tissue alterations, as well as DNA degradation, suggesting an ongoing process. Our results add new insights into the mechanisms of tissue mummification. Taking into account that the process is still ongoing, further research is required, including a re‐evaluation of the human leg in the future.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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