The Role of 3D Virtual Anatomy and Scanning Environmental Electron Microscopy in Understanding Morphology and Pathology of Ancient Bodies.

Abstract

Background/objectives: Mummy studies allow to reconstruct the characteristic of a population in a specific spatiotemporal context, in terms of living conditions, pathologies and death. Radiology represents an efficient diagnostic technique able to establish the preservation state of mummified organs and to estimate the patient's pathological conditions. However, the radiological approach shows some limitations. Although bone structures are easy to differentiate, soft tissue components are much more challenging, especially when they overlap. For this reason, computed tomography, a well-established approach that achieves optimal image contrast and three-dimensional reconstruction, has been introduced. This original article focuses attention on the role of virtual dissection as a promising technology for exploring human mummy anatomy and considers the potential of environmental scanning electron microscopy and X-ray spectroscopy as complementary approaches useful to understand the state of preservation of mummified remains.

Methods: Ancient mummy corps have been analyzed through Anatomage Table 10 and environmental scanning electron microscope equipped with X-ray spectrometer; Results: Anatomage Table 10 through various volumetric renderings allows us to describe spine alteration due to osteoarthritis, dental state, and other clinical-pathological characteristics of different mummies. Environmental scanning electron microscope, with the advantage of observing mummified samples without prior specimen preparation, details on the state of tissue fragments. Skin, tendon and muscle show a preserved morphology and keratinocytes, collagen fibers and tendon structures are easily recognizable. Furthermore, X-ray spectrometer reveals in our tissue remains, the presence of compounds related to soil contamination. This investigation identifies a plethora of organic and inorganic substances where the mummies were found, providing crucial information about the mummification environment.

Conclusions: These morphological and analytical techniques make it possible to study mummified bodies and describe their anatomical details in real size, in a non-invasive and innovative way, demonstrating that these interdisciplinary approaches could have great potential for improving knowledge in the study of ancient corpses.