Animal Mummiy Project

STEP 3: X-RAYING THE MUMMY

Examining a dog mummy

X-Ray radiograph technology allows us a unique opportunity to see inside a mummy bundle without unwrapping and destroying it. X-rays show us what bones lie inside mummy wrappings and how the animals are oriented. X-rays can also tell us the approximate age of an animal, whether it suffered any diseases or accidents that show themselves in its bones, and how it might have died.

As part of the project, staff from the Cairo Museum are being trained in x-ray techniques.

The blue machine is our Hitex (Hk-100S, KVP 100, mA to 5) X-Ray machine. On the table to the right a mummy rests, waiting to be x-rayed.

Setting up for an x-ray shoot is an exacting process. The distance between the machine and the mummy must be carefully measured or the photo will be out of focus and have to be taken again.

The mummy must also be carefully positioned so that the interior will be exposed to maximum advantage. This involves some guesswork and much practice.

X-Rays and regular photographs of each mummy are developed in the dark room at the Cairo Museum. We use Kodak and Agfa film (12” x 10”, or 25.4 cm. x 30.5 cm).

SAVING FRAGILE MUMMIES ...