Although Ancient Egyptians mummified thousands of animals over the course of one millennium, many details of these mummification protocols remain unknown.
A new study that examined an Egyptian crocodile mummy at the Musée des Confluences (Lyon, France) dating back to the Late Period (722–332 BC) has revealed new exciting details in this field.
It was believed that ancient Egyptians preserved the internal organs of animals during mummification in all ages. However, the new study conducted on the crocodile mummy found in the French Museum, showed that everything beneath the skin of the crocodile including the organs, muscles, and even most of the skeleton was removed.
According to the study published in the PLOS One journal, French researchers at the Synchrotron Radiation Microtomography Facility at the Paul-Valéry University, Montpelier, used the Propagation Phase-Contrast X-ray Synchrotron microtomography technique that provides accurate 3D images of the materials and tissues that cannot be easily observed with the conventional X-ray techniques.
Imaging showed that all organs and most of the bones, except for the head and limbs, were removed in preparation for embalming, through a single incision that runs along the ventral side of the crocodile from the throat to the tail. The emptied parts were stuffed with a variety of plants, most of which are herbs.
In the introduction of their study, the researchers said they didn't explore the plants, but they preserved them for future studies that could provide additional information about the nature and context of this rare practice.
Egyptian Archaeologists Dr. Khaled Salam, professor of ancient Egyptian antiquities at Zagazig University, believes that this rare practice took place in the Late Period and aimed at giving the crocodile more sanctity by treating it like humans.
Salam suggested that the internal organs were removed to avoid the growth of bacteria that may spoil the mummy.
