Mummy brain

Examining the Mummy of Pen Ptah: Insights into Egyptian Culture

The mummy of Pen Ptah, a male from the twenty-fifth dynasty dating back around 2700 years ago, presents a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the mysteries of ancient Egyptian culture. Burial practices offer intriguing insights as they reflect societal norms and traditions surrounding the preservation of the deceased.

One fascinating aspect to explore is the evolution of mummification, a practice with a rich and intricate history. During the period of Pen Ptah's mummification, canopic jars, traditionally used to house organs, began to fade out. Instead, a different approach emerged where the organs were wrapped and placed back within the mummy's body.

While the exact method used in Pen Ptah's mummification is yet to be confirmed through x-radiography, it is anticipated that multiple packets, similar to the gizzard bits found in a store-bought chicken, will be discovered within the body. However, the intention behind these packets is far from culinary.

Mummification was predominantly practiced by the elite, representing approximately the top 5% of Egyptian society. The preservation process involved the removal of the brain, typically through an incision on the left side of the abdomen, and the extraction of most internal organs. Intriguingly, brain removal often involved the use of hooks, although it is unlikely that individuals today have first-hand experience in handling brains.

After the brain removal and a period of around 40 days spent packed in natron, the mummy would be carefully assembled and wrapped. The intention was for the mummy to rest undisturbed in its tomb for eternity, but various factors could disrupt this plan.

Tomb robbers, tomb repurposers, or even archaeologists conducting excavations could disturb the resting place of the mummy. Eventually, the mummy found its way to the Field Museum through acquisition from the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt, but its history prior to that remains largely unknown.

The reason for bringing the sarcophagus, tomb, and coffin out of storage and into the lab is to prepare them for a touring exhibit called 'Mummies: Images of the Afterlife.' The objective is to highlight the mishandling of mummies in the past before the advent of modern imaging technologies like x-rays and CT scans. This exhibit serves as a lesson in what not to do with mummies, as invasive investigative procedures were the primary means of obtaining information before the 1920s.

During the examination, the outer wrappings of the mummy have been completely removed to reveal the inner layers. Previous researchers likely delved into the wrappings in their quest for more knowledge. Additionally, the head has detached from the body, which is a challenge during the unwrapping process due to the final layer of bandages secured with resin.

Regarding the initial invasive attempts to investigate the mummy, they likely took place during the late 19th century when mummies were being collected for museum exhibits.

During the current examination, some surprises have emerged. A painting of the Goddess of the sky, Nut, was discovered on the bottom of the outer coffin. This depiction is a traditional practice, symbolizing her role in guiding individuals into the afterlife. The presence of beetles inside the coffin also requires further investigation to determine whether they are museum beetles or native Egyptian beetles.

Unexpectedly, the mummy of Pen Ptah deviates from the majority of late Egyptian human mummies in certain aspects. Unlike the norm, the brain has not been removed or scooped out. In fact, the brain remains intact. Alongside the preserved brains, blowfly casings have been found, indicating that something within the cranium fed on the brain. This decomposition process appears to have occurred before or around the time of mummification.

This discovery challenges the traditional expectations of how the deceased were treated. However, the circumstances and proximity to mummification facilities at the time of death may have influenced these unusual aspects. The presence of dermestid beetles, which are related to the flesh-eating beetles used in modern labs, adds another layer of intrigue to the story.

The circumstances surrounding these findings can only be speculated upon. It is possible that this individual died alone in a remote location, leading to a delay in the discovery of the body. Unraveling the full story remains a tantalizing prospect, although it may forever remain shrouded in mystery.

As the work on this mummy continues, there is a possibility that it will reveal more secrets over time. Perhaps an undiscovered hieroglyphic scroll will shed light on the mystery, but for now, it remains conjecture. It is important to note that we are talking about a period slightly later than the era of King Tut.

The presence of preserved brains, blowflies, and dermestid beetles within the cranium of the mummy of Pen Ptah creates a fascinating bug-eat-bug world within the ancient remains, providing a glimpse into the complex interplay of decomposition and preservation that took place thousands of years ago.