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Modern Technology Uncovers New Information About the
Albany Institute's Mummies

In the Ancient Egypt Gallery, technology has helped to reveal unique characteristics of the Albany Institute's mummies, human and animal.

HUMAN MUMMIES

On November 12, 1988, the Albany Institute’s two human mummies were transported to Albany Medical Center where    x-rays and computed tomography, or CT scans were taken. The increased use in recent years of these non-destructive research tools has yielded a wealth of scientific data regarding mummification techniques and the health and diseases of the ancient Egyptian population. In the case of these two mummies, preliminary analysis has determined the sex, approximate ages, and various insights into the mummification process.

 The x-rays and CT scans show a number of bundles inside both of the mummies (wrapped and unwrapped). During Dynasty XXI, a change in the practice of mummification occurred. The internal organs were no longer placed in canopic jars, but were usually wrapped in linen packages. These packages were then placed in the empty body cavity as seen here in the x-rays and CT scans, or placed between the legs. Canopic jars, however, continued to be a part of the funerary equipment, but were made smaller.

The partially unwrapped mummy is Ankhefenmut, a priest in the temple of Mut at Karnak in Thebes during Dynasty XXI (c.1085-945 BC). Ankhefenmut is reported to have died in 966 and was probably between 55-65 years old at the time of his death.

The wrapped mummy is a woman. Her name is not known because the top of the coffin was badly deteriorated and left in Cairo by Mr. Brown in 1909. According to Mr. Brown she also came from the cache at Deir el- Bahri.  X-rays reveal that she was probably between 35-45 years old when she died.

Perhaps the most interesting discovery was a well-crafted fake toe, possibly made of ceramic, carefully attached to the right foot of the wrapped mummy. It is presumed that the toe was fashioned for the woman during the mummification process because of the belief that one had to be physically intact to enter the afterlife. This discovery was highlighted on The Learning Channel’s program, The Ancient ER, in February 2003.

 “Cat” MUMMY Mystery Solved

The Albany Institute of History & Art acquired a cat mummy from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1958.

In 2002 Dr. Douglas Cohn, a veterinarian and Director of the Animal Resources Facility at Albany Medical College, suggested that the cat mummy undergo CT scans and radiographs in 2002.  Based on the skull structure, the CT scans revealed that the “cat” was actually a “dog”!   Cat mummies became popular when the cat goddess Bastet rose to prominence in the Late Period.  Apparently, it was common practice to fake animal mummies. If a cat was not available for mummification, an immature dog could be used, or a few bones, or even mud.

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