title: Three-dimensional computed tomography of the mummy Wenuhotep.
abstract: Computed tomography allows cross-sectional imaging of anthropological as well as clinical subjects. Recently, technical innovations have made three-dimensional reconstruction of these images feasible. We performed two-dimensional and three-dimensional computed tomography of a Late Period Egyptian mummy to reexamine findings seen on previous radiographic studies and to evaluate the usefulness of these techniques in paleopathology. Two-dimensional images provided excellent anatomic detail. There was graphic depiction of the mummification process that corroborated information previously obtained from Egyptological studies. Three-dimensional reconstruction provided images of facial features as if the mummy had been unwrapped. Three-dimensional computed tomography is a useful method of nondestructively evaluating paleopathological remains, and it may yield information not obtainable by any other means.
authors.affiliation: Children's Museum, Indianapolis, Indiana.
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Pickering
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Conces
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Braunstein
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yurco
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009106:Mummies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012984:Software; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed