Mummified Crocodiles Offer Insights Into Mummy-Making Over Time
Crocodiles were mummified uniquely at the Egyptian site of Qubbat al-Hawā during the 5th Century BC, concerning to a study released January 18th, 2023, in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Bea De Cupere of the Royal Belgian Institution of Natural Sciences, Belgium, and the College of Jaén, Spain, and associates.
Mummified animals, including crocodiles, are common discovers at Egyptian archaeological sites. In spite of several hundred mummified crocodiles being offered in museum collections worldwide, they are not often examined completely. In this study, the writers provide a detailed analysis of the morphology and conservation of 10 crocodile mummies discovered in rock tombs at the site of Qubbat al-Hawā on the west bank of the Nile.
The mummies added 5 separated skulls and five partial skeletons, which the researchers could examine without unwrapping or using CT-scanning and radiography. Based on the morphology of the crocodiles, 2 types were identified: West African and also Nile crocodiles, with specimens ranging from 1.5 to 3.5 metres in length.
The preservation style of the mummies is distinct from that discovered at other sites, most significantly lacking proof of resin usage or carcass evisceration as part of the mummification procedure. The preservation design suggests a pre-Ptolemaic age, which is consistent with the last phase of funerary use of Qubbat al-Hawā throughout the 5th Century BC.
Comparing mummies between archaeological sites is helpful in identifying trends in animal utilization and mummification practices over time. The restrictions of this research consisted of the lack of valid ancient DNA and radiocarbon, which should be helpful for refining the identification and also dating of the remains. Future studies incorporating these methods will further inform scientific insight of ancient Egyptian cultural practices.
The authors add, “Ten crocodile mummies, including 5 basically total bodies and five heads, were discovered in an undisturbed tomb at Qubbat al-Hawā (Aswan, Egypt). The mummies were in varying phages of preservation and completeness.”
Read the original article on PHYS.
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