[Mummies: the living dead. 1: squatting mummies--bundled mummies].
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Archaeology↗
SEARCH · PubMed Health
Results for “Mummies”
Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
[Buddhist mummies in Japan].
The mummy of priest Kochi (preserved at Saishoji Temple, Teradomari, Niigata Pref.) has become famous, since it appeared in the book "Snow Country Tales" written by Bokushi Suzuki in 1841 (Fig. 1). In a country of high humidity, such as Japan, the belief that mummification could not, and did not, exist would not be altogether unfounded, but rather more a matter of common sense. There are two dozen Buddhist mummies in this country. It was not known until 1961 that a reliable source of artificial mummification has existed in Japan. The Japanese Buddhist mummies, apart from those of the Fujiwara family, a powerful clan of northeast Japan in the 12th century, dated mostly from the 17th to the 19th century as given in Table 1. Three principal types of mummification described by Vreeland, Jr. and Cockburn (1980) could be identified in the Japanese Buddhist mummies: type I, natural mummification; type II, intentional natural; and type III, artificial. Matsumoto (1990) classified the mummies into four groups, based on their ideological backgrounds: group A, mummies of the priests having faith in the Amitabha (the Supreme Buddha presiding over the Pure Land in the West); group B, sokushin-butsu mummies of the priests belonging to the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism founded by Kukai (Kobo-daishi); group C, nyujo mummies of the priests having faith in the Maitreya (the Buddha presiding over the Pure Land in the North, or the Buddha of the future); and group D, other mummies. These mummies of groups A, B, C and D are respectively listed in Table 2. Previous papers have shown that the mummies of the groups A, C and D belonged to the mummification of type I (natural mummification) or type II (intentional natural), whereas those of only the group B were of type III (artificial). The mummies of groups A to D were given as follows. a) Mummies of group A. The four mummies of the Fujiwara family in the Amitabha faith (preserved at Chusonji Temple, Hiraizumi, Iwate Pref.), which were laid in daisies for Buddhist images at golden Konjikido, a model of the Western Pure Land of Amitabha, did not bear any evidence of Ainu character in their physical traits. Of these, the mummy of Yasuhira Fujiwara, of which the head and neck were severely injured by swords, showed that it had been decapitated. This decapitated head had suffered mutilations: i.e. a long iron nail had been driven into the forehead, and the both auricles and the nose had been cut off.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Buddhism↗
[Preservation of cutaneous structures of egyptian mummies. An ultrastructural study].
INTRODUCTION: The recent development of studies applied to ancient materials may be explained by the application of molecular biology techniques on the extracted ancient DNA mainly the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the ultrasensitive DNA-amplification technique that hit the headlines in the late 1980s. PCR was used to amplify human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), genetic material in stored tissue specimens and to document people who died in 1976. In addition, recent discoveries of mummified bodies in ice of the Tyrolean Alps or Greenland allowed a new approach in archeological studies. Mummies are a good material for investigations of ancient tissues. The studies concern the techniques of embalming, tissue preservation and palepathological aspects. In cutaneous paleopathology, mummies from Egypt, South or North America and Europe were considered. Various skin lesions were characterized: histiocytoma, Chagas' disease, smallpox, syphilis. Recently drugs (cocaine, hashish and nicotine) were extracted from skin and head hair of Egyptian mummies. Only a few studies were concerned with the ultrastructure of the skin of such mummies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We had the opportunity to obtain skin samples of two Egyptian mummies. One of them was embalmed between 150 BC-90 AC. The skin was studied by transmission electron microscopy. As the mummified materials had dried out and shrunk, it was necessary to rehydrate them for ultrastructural observation. Skin samples were fragmented into small pieces before fixation with 2 p. 100 glutaraldehyde in sodium cacodylate buffer for 10 days (allowing for removal of the materials used for embalming). The samples were then washed in the same buffer for 10 days. After washing the pieces were post-fixed with 1 p. 100 osmium tetroxyde, dehydrated and embedded in Epoxy medium. RESULTS: With this process, it was possible to observe the excellent preservation of the cutaneous structures. The epidermis was well preserved. It was possible to observe the different cell layers and mainly the upper layers. The nuclei and the desmosomes of keratinocytes were recognized. Intercellular spaces were narrow. Desmosomes showed dense thickenings of the cell membrane on both sides and an intercellular band with narrow lucent spaces adjacent to the dense cell membrane. The nuclei showed dense spots of chromatin and in the cytoplasm recognizable tonofilament bundles were identified. Langerhans cells and melanocytes were not observed. In the dermis, the collagen fibrils formed thick bundles and showed the characteristic axial periodicity. Elastic fibers were also recognized showing two main components: the amorphous substance and the fibrils. Throughout the dermis, a number of round or oval structures were found. They had the typical appearance of spores of bacteria. In the centre, they had an electron dense and granular core surrounded by an inner membrane and a spore coat. DISCUSSION: Only a few investigations were performed on the ultrastructure of the skin of the Egyptian mummies. In the majority of cases, the epidermis was not preserved. The present work demonstrates the good preservation of epidermal structures and specially desmosomes and intercellular connections. The presence of spores of bacteria was previously reported. These spores enter a highly resistant resting phase in order to survive in a dormant state for a long period of starvation or other adverse environmental conditions. Similar investigations were performed on skin obtained from Eskimo mummies preserved by the extremely cold and dry polar weather. In these conditions, the authors reported the observation of melanocytes, vessels and nerves. Additionally, biochemical investigations demonstrated the very good preservation of collagen and glycosaminoglycans of the dermal extracellular matrix.
Collagen↗
A possible histiocytoma in an Egyptian mummy.
This report concerns the finding of a possible histiocytoma in the skin of the heel of an Egyptian mummy. Only two other neoplasms have been diagnosed microscopically in ancient material-a squamous papilloma of the hand in an Egyptian mummy and possible malignant melanomas in several Peruvian mummies. No visceral tumors have ever been identified in mummies, and only a few possible neoplasms have been detected on gross examination of skeletal material. The satisfactory preservation of cutaneous histologic and pathologic features in mummies should encourage the performance of additional studies.
Egypt, Ancient↗
ABO tissue antigens of Egyptian mummies.
ABO groups were investigated on skin (and muscle), bone and hair specimens from 14 Egyptian mummies dating from the Roman period. Samples were tested by the AE (absorption-elution), MA (mixed agglutination) and HIF (histo-immunofluorescence) methods, in order to evaluate the reliability of each method. For half of the mummies (7) the results were concordant on all samples (3-9 samples for each mummy) with all employed methods, suggesting an unequivocal blood group conclusion. For the other seven mummies there were discordant results with the different methods and interpretation of the results was thus inconclusive. HIF seems to be the most reliable method as specific blood group substances are identified on specific histologic structures. Failure to detect tissular ABO antigens was mainly due to excessive resin impregnation.
ABO Blood-Group System↗
Molecular cloning of Ancient Egyptian mummy DNA.
Artificial mummification was practised in Egypt from approximately 2600 BC until the fourth century AD. Because of the dry Egyptian climate, however, there are also many natural mummies preserved from earlier as well as later times. To elucidate whether this unique source of ancient human remains can be used for molecular genetic analyses, 23 mummies were investigated for DNA content. One 2,400-yr-old mummy of a child was found to contain DNA that could be molecularly cloned in a plasmid vector. I report here that one such clone contains two members of the Alu family of human repetitive DNA sequences, as detected by DNA hybridizations and nucleotide sequencing. These analyses show that substantial pieces of mummy DNA (3.4 kilobases) can be cloned and that the DNA fragments seem to contain little or no modifications introduced postmortem.
Cloning, Molecular↗
Modern imaging and endoscopic biopsy techniques in Egyptian mummies.
Egyptian mummies have been popular subjects of radiographic investigation since 1896. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have recently been added to the growing list of modern techniques used to study these relics. The Minnesota Mummy Project was organized to examine four well preserved Egyptian mummies dating from the XVIIIth (1575-1308 B.C.) and XXVth (715-663 B.C.) Dynasties. Plain radiographs and CT scans were obtained on all specimens. One individual was selected for additional endoscopic and microscopic correlation with CT findings in the thoracic cavity. The collapsed heart was identified by CT. A percutaneous biopsy of the heart was then performed with a flexible fiberoptic endoscope, passed through a small hole drilled into the chest wall. Microscopy of prepared ventricular specimens revealed striated muscle fibers consistent with myocardium. These results emphasize the utility of CT as a noninvasive paleoradiologic tool. Another mummy was examined by MRI to search for minute quantities of residual moisture possibly trapped within the desiccated tissues. Only a free-induction-decay signal could be obtained, but this was insufficient to generate an image. Thus, it appears that present MRI is not suitable for the paleopathologic investigation of dehydrated structures.
Biopsy↗
[Dental and mandibular studies on mummies. Contribution of a stomatologist].
This is the sequence to an investigation on a mummy, 1965. Two further mummies could be examined: the first, a woman about 34 years old, from the 1st to 3rd century, shows similar advanced destruction of the teeth as the mummy investigated in 1965, caused by sand in the hand milled bread flour. This caused an early loss of molars by exaggerated abrasion, exposure of the pulps and periodontal bone loss. There was no evidence of occlusal caries. The second mummy was a 18-year-old young woman, 800-700 b. C. From the inscriptions on the sarcophagus name, family and living circumstances could be found. The same damages were found here, there was only a gradual difference owing to age difference. An interesting special finding was the absence of lip closure and the postmortal damage to the front teeth which may have been caused by the ritual of mouth opening.
Adolescent↗
Autopsies on two native American Mummies.
An interdisciplinary team performed autopsies on an adult male and an infant male mummy from the American Southwest. Cause of death has not been determined for the infant. The presence of an unhealed skull fracture associated with an apparent hematoma in the adult male is suggestive of trauma as the cause of death in the adult. Evidence of disease is minimal. Analysis of powder thought to be dried blood from the thoracic cavity of the adult suggests the presence of human IgG. The instability of this protein may indicate the presence of proteolytic activity by enzymes that degrade immunoglobulins upon rehydration. The possibility of enzymatic degradation of proteins will be an important factor in future studies of such immunoglobulins in mummy remains and also indicates the importance of maintaining the desiccated condition of mummy tissues.
Adult↗
Immunohistochemical detection of interstitial collagens in bone and cartilage tissue remnants in an infant Peruvian mummy.
We investigated the immunohistochemical presence of various collagen types in bone and cartilage tissue from an infant Peruvian mummy dating between 500 and 1000 A.D. which had been excavated at the necropolis of Las Trancas in the Nazca region in Peru. Following careful rehydration and decalcification of the tissue, the mummy tissue showed morphologically good preservation of the matrix, which could be shown to be composed of various collagen types in a typical pattern. Bone consisted of a collagen I matrix with a small rim of collagen III and V at the endosteal lining and a pericellular collagen V staining around osteocytic holes. In the hypertrophic cartilage of the epiphyseal growth plate, a typical pattern of collagen types II and X could be found. These observations provide evidence that in well-preserved mummy tissue the antigenic determinants of major matrix components are still adequately preserved for an immunohistochemical analysis. This technique may thus be a very helpful tool for the analysis of pathologic processes of historic bone tissue. It may also allow in certain circumstances a distinction between pseudopathologic tissue destruction and pathologic tissue alteration.
Bone and Bones↗
Paleoradiologic evaluation of the Egyptian royal mummies.
We examined radiographs of 12 Egyptian royal mummies obtained by two of the authors (W.R. and J.E.H.) and never before published. These radiographs demonstrate findings not previously described in Egyptian mummies, including congenital lunate-triquetral fusion and destructive skeletal lesions not explainable on the basis of vandalism by tomb robbers. Antemortem fractures, degenerative joint disease, and arterial vascular calcification were also seen. In 11 of the 12 cases, there was chondrocalcinosis of intervertebral discs or menisci, probably an artifact of embalming. Visceral packing and skeletal deformity due to wrapping were observed, as well. Radiology provides important paleopathologic and archeologic information for the accurate, comprehensive study of Egyptian mummies.
Bone Diseases↗
Stillbirths, mummies, abortions, and early embryonic death.
Stillbirths, mummies, abortions, and early embryonic death have a substantial impact on the profitability of a farm in both endemic and epidemic conditions. Fetal death is highly dependent on stage of gestation. Implantation occurs around day 14 postmating in sows, and fetal death of an entire litter at this time usually results in a regular return to service. If more than four embryos remain alive, the sow may go on to farrow normally. If fetal death occurs after implantation but before calcification (around 35 days gestation), the sow will either return to estrus at an irregular interval or will farrow a normal litter of reduced size. Although fetuses are normally resorbed prior to calcification, fetal death after that stage of development leads to mummification. Abortions are more directly related to maternal control of pregnancy than fetal failure. Stillbirths are those pigs that appear normal at birth but have lungs that do not float in water. Causes of fetal death can be divided into infectious and noninfectious categories. Infectious causes perhaps are overemphasized but are certainly important in epidemic situations. Some infectious causes of fetal death are primarily systemic maternal pathogens, whereas others may attack the fetus and/or placenta, directly such as PPV, PEV, PRV, SIRS virus, and Leptospira sp. Several other infectious agents have been associated with fetal death. Noninfectious causes of stillborns, mummies, abortions, and early embryonic death are most common in endemic situations. Most stillbirths are due to difficulty at or around parturition, primarily extended duration causing fetal anoxia. Environmental factors such as increased ambient temperature and seasonal infertility affect death rates, as do specific individual sow characteristics, nutritional factors, and toxicities. The causes of stillborns, mummies, abortions, and early embryonic death are often difficult to ascertain, but the potential rewards make investigation efforts worthwhile.
Abortion, Veterinary↗
Skull of a 5,300-year-old mummy: reproduction and investigation with CT-guided stereolithography.
PURPOSE: In September 1991, a mummified corpse was discovered soon after it was released by the receding ice of the Similaun glacier in the Tyrolean Alps. This body proved to be an astonishingly well-preserved man from the late Neolithic Age or early Bronze Age. To preserve the fragile mummy, scientific investigations were required to be as noninvasive and nondestructive as possible. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A radiologic investigation that included conventional radiography, digital radiography, and whole-body computed tomography (CT) was performed from the CT data, the skull was duplicated by means of stereolithography. RESULTS: The copy of the prehistoric skull was validated by means of comparison of measurements obtained from the original CT images and from external physical measurements of the intact head of the mummy. CONCLUSION: The CT images, radiologic findings, and duplicated skull are expected to provide anthropologists and other interested scientists relatively accurate information without the need to handle the mummy, to expose it to the considerable risks of repeated partial thawing, or to perform invasive exploratory studies such as autopsy.
Animals↗
[View of the past: Roentgenography of an Egyptian mummy].
Report concerning roentgenographic examinations of an Egyptian mummy dating back to 900 B.C. from the "Museum für Völkerkunde Freiburg/Breisgau". The study was performed to detect funeral gifts which can be found otherwise only if the linnen bandage of the mummy is destroyed. Extraordinary findings were degenerative osteoarthritis of the spine and joints, pseudo-gout, marked caries of several teeth and signs for a healed occipital osteomyelitis. Suggestions are discussed about a particular compression of thorax and pelvis which is apparently due to the technique of bandaging. This was not observed in examinations of other mummies. Fractures of the first to third phalanges suggest forceful removal of precious rings. A circular-shaped opening in the parietal bone and a small radiodense foreign body which projects over the pharynx remain unexplained.
Dental Caries↗
Characterization of mummy bone ochronotic pigment.
Radiologic examination of an Egyptian mummy showed characteristic radiologic changes seen in ochronosis. Desiring to confirm the diagnosis of ochronosis, punch biopsy samples of ochronotic mummy bone were removed for biochemical analysis. An organic solvent extraction procedure was developed to selectively isolate mummy ochronotic pigment, and spectroscopic methods were used to characterize the pigment as a homogentisic-acid--derived polymer.
Aged↗
The case of the Egyptian mummy head.
This article describes how biocommunicators became an integral part of an interdisciplinary team of health sciences professionals charged with learning more about an ancient Egyptian mummy head. Presented and discussed are events and activities concerning the discovery of a 2,000 year old mummy head, the development and interactions of the interdisciplinary team, and the involvement of biocommunicators and their efforts to research and reconstruct through airbrush illustrations how the mummy head would have appeared prior to mummification.
Communication↗
[The significance of mummy cell in the diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease].
The mummy cell is a necrotic single cell in lympho-reticular lesion, and it is characterized by the pattern of distributing isolated in a lympho-reticular background without detachment from the surrounding cells, staining deeply or amphibic in mature both nuclei and cytoplasm and the ghost nuclei are often recognized. Totally, 95 lympho-node biopsies were reviewed, the mummy cells can be found in 21/24 of Hodgkin's disease and 18/71 of other lesions (NHL, reactive hyperplasia etc.). They are more common in nodular sclerosis (NS) and lymphocyte depletion (LD) among the four subtypes of Hodgkin's disease. It is worthwhile to note the suggestive role of mummy cells in pathological diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease.
Hodgkin Disease↗
ABO blood groups in Chilean and Peruvian mummies. II. Results of agglutination-inhibition technique.
ABO blood groups of Peruvian and Chilean mummies were determined with the agglutination-inhibition method. In Peru all ABO blood groups were found in the period from 3000 B.C. to 1400 A.D.; from this period to 1650 only A and O were seen. In Chile no B or AB was noted either in pre-Columbian or Colonial mummies. This confirms the archeological concept that the Chilean Indian was culturally as well as genetically different from the Peruvian Indian. Further studies using other genetic markers are in order, as well as changing certain preconceived notions on blood groups of American Indians.
ABO Blood-Group System↗