Beautiful Virgin Islands

Wednesday, Aug 27, 2025

Secrets of a 3000-year-old mummy unwrapped using X-ray and 3D scans

Scientists uncover what was hidden under a mummy's wrappings for over three thousand years using X-rays, CT scans and 2D and 3D softwares.

The mummy of an Egyptian pharaoh has given up some of its secrets at last.

Using state-of-the-art technology, scientists have been able to uncover what has been hidden under the mummy's wrappings and mask for over three thousand years.

The remains of Pharaoh Amenhotep I, who ruled Egypt approximately between 1525-1504 BC, were discovered in 1881 in Deir Al Bahari in southern Egypt.

They had remained unwrapped until Egyptologist Zahi Hawass and Cairo University professor Sahar Saleem launched an in-depth study.

Hawass said the findings are a "major important discovery" and it shows for the first time "that technology can make discoveries without disturbing the mummy".

The scientists used advanced X-ray technology, computed tomography (CT) scans, and digital software to map out the mummy in great detail.

"It is a very informative, safe way to reveal information from the mummies without destroying them or without harming them," said Saleem in an interview with Euronews.

Digitally removing the wrappings


Unwrapping a mummy would expose it to our environment and potentially destroy it, Saleem explained, making the use of advanced technologies imperative.

"Once the wrapped mummy is disturbed by unwrapping, it has the potential to be harmed because it had this environment inside the wrapping for millennia," she added.

The technique allowed them to respect this "very important heritage," she said.

"He is also a human being, he was a king, and the respect of a mummy as a person is very important ethically in our science," Saleem added.

Using the thousands of images taken by the X-ray and CT scans, Saleem was able to process them using software to create 2D and 3D models, which enabled the team to digitally remove the mask and all the layers around the king’s remains and finally look at his face.

"It was an amazing moment to look at the face of the king and see that he has an oval face with a narrow chin and even a little bit of an overbite," said Saleem.

The non-invasive research enabled the scientists to learn that the Pharaoh died aged 35, that he was "a healthy man and had beautiful good teeth".

They also discovered that the king was wearing 30 amulets between the wrappings and inside the body, as well as a belt covered with golden beads.

The team also learned that the king was the first ruler from ancient Egypt to use the royal mummification style and be embalmed with his forearms crossed in the so-called Osiris position, which was then followed by other kings.

So far the team has carried out CT scans on 40 royal mummies and plans to continue the work on other royal mummies as well as common people from the period.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Manhunt in Australia: Armed Anti-Government Suspect Kills Police Officers Sent to Arrest Him
China Launches World’s Most Powerful Neutrino Detector
How Beijing-Linked Networks Shape Elections in New York City
Ukrainian Refugee Iryna Zarutska Fled War To US, Stabbed To Death
Elon Musk Sues Apple and OpenAI Over Alleged App Store Monopoly
2 Australian Police Shot Dead In Encounter In Rural Victoria State
Vietnam Evacuates Hundreds of Thousands as Typhoon Kajiki Strikes; China’s Sanya Shuts Down
UK Government Delays Decision on China’s Proposed London Embassy Amid Concerns Over Redacted Plans
A 150-Year Tradition to Be Abolished? Uproar Over the Popular Central Park Attraction
A new faith called Robotheism claims artificial intelligence isn’t just smart but actually God itself
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner Purchases Third Property Amid Housing Tax Reforms Debate
HSBC Switzerland Ends Relationships with Over 1,000 Clients from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Qatar, and Egypt
Sharia Law Made Legally Binding in Austria Despite Warnings Over 'Incompatible' Values
Italian Facebook Group Sharing Intimate Images Without Consent Shut Down Amid Police Investigation
Dutch Foreign Minister Resigns Amid Deadlock Over Israel Sanctions
Trump and Allies Send Messages of Support to Ukraine on Independence Day Amid Ongoing Conflict
China Reels as Telegram Chat Group Shares Hidden-Camera Footage of Women and Children
Sam Nicoresti becomes first transgender comedian to win Edinburgh Comedy Award
Builders uncover historic human remains in Lancashire house renovation
Australia Wants to Tax Your Empty Bedrooms
MotoGP Cameraman Narrowly Avoids Pedro Acosta Crash at Hungarian Grand Prix
FBI Investigates John Bolton Over Classified Documents in High-Profile Raids
Report reveals OpenAI pitched national ChatGPT Plus subscription to UK ministers
Labour set to freeze income tax thresholds in long-term 'stealth' tax raid
Coca‑Cola explores sale of Costa coffee chain
Trial hears dog walker was chased and fatally stabbed by trio
Restaurateur resigns from government hospitality council over tax criticism
Spanish City funfair shut after serious ride injury
Suspected arson at Ilford restaurant leaves three in critical condition
Tottenham beat Manchester City to go top of Premier League
Bank holiday heatwave to hit 30°C before remnants of Hurricane Erin arrive
UK to deploy immigration advisers to West Africa to block fake visas
Nurse who raped woman continued working for a year despite police alert
Drought forces closures of England’s canal routes, canceling boat holidays
Sweet tooth scents: food-inspired perfumes surge as weight-loss drugs suppress appetites
Experts warn Britain dangerously reliant on imported food
Family of Notting Hill Carnival murder victim call event unmanageable
Bunkers, Billions and Apocalypse: The Secret Compounds of Zuckerberg and the Tech Giants
Ukraine Declares De Facto War on Hungary and Slovakia with Terror Drone Strikes on Their Gas Lifeline
Animated K-pop Musical ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Becomes Netflix’s Most-Watched Original Animated Film
New York Appeals Court Voids Nearly $500 Million Civil Fraud Penalty Against Trump While Upholding Fraud Liability
Elon Musk tweeted, “Europe is dying”
Far-Right Activist Convicted of Incitement Changes Gender and Demands: "Send Me to a Women’s Prison" | The Storm in Germany
Hungary Criticizes Ukraine: "Violating Our Sovereignty"
Will this be the first country to return to negative interest rates?
Child-free hotels spark controversy
North Korea is where this 95-year-old wants to die. South Korea won’t let him go. Is this our ally or a human rights enemy?
Hong Kong Launches Regulatory Regime and Trials for HKD-Backed Stablecoins
China rehearses September 3 Victory Day parade as imagery points to ‘loyal wingman’ FH-97 family presence
Trump Called Viktor Orbán: "Why Are You Using the Veto"
×