Computed tomographic measurements of the nasal sinuses and frontal bone in mummy-heads artificially deformed in infancy.

The purpose of the present study was to ascertain whether artificial skull deformation, carried out during infancy, has an effect on the pneumatization of the frontal and maxillary sinuses and on the osseous structure of the frontal bone. Thus, two normal and 12 artificially deformed adult human skulls (12 males, two females) from the collection of pre-Columbian Peruvian skeletons and mummies in the Institute of Anthropology and Human Genetics (University of Munich) were investigated by computed tomography. These skulls had been excavated from four sites on the Peruvian coast: Las Trancas, Cahuachi. Pacatnamu, and Estaqueria. The volumes of the maxillary sinuses varied from 5.18 mL to 17.19 mL. Those of the frontal sinuses varied from zero to 6.21 mL. The artificial deformation of the skull, which occurred during infancy, had no influence on the size of the maxillary and frontal sinuses. There was also no difference in the average bone thickness of the os frontale; however, artificial deformation in infancy had an influence on the bone structure, resulting in a tremendous rarefication of the diploe of the frontal bones. Based on these findings we conclude that the various types of skull deformation instituted in infancy seem to exert no inhibitory effect on the pneumatization of either the frontal or maxillary sinuses.

Extensive pulmonary haemorrhage in an Egyptian mummy.

We report on the morphological and trace element findings of several internal organs from an Egyptian mummy approximately dating from the year 950 B.C. according to 14C-analysis. By use of a multidisciplinary approach we succeeded in discovering evidence for severe and presumably recurrent pulmonary bleeding during life. This was suggested by the finding of massive haemosiderin deposits in the lung and a selectively and markedly elevated level of iron in trace element analysis of the lung tissue. Furthermore, we observed an enhanced deposition of birefringent particles in the lung tissue, without significant fibrosis. The histological analysis of liver, stomach and intestine confirmed the macroscopic organ diagnoses without evidence of any major pathological processes. In addition, analysis for various drugs revealed a significant deposition of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), nicotine and cocaine in several organs of the mummy. The concentration profiles additionally provide evidence for a preferential inhalation of THC, while nicotine and cocaine containing drugs seem to have been consumed orally.

[Body height determination using radio-cephalometric data]. / Die Körperhöhenbestimmung aus radiokephalometrischen Daten.

215 skulls taken from graves of the 4th to 12th century in southern Germany were cephalometrically evaluated. The correlations of the parameters S-N, PM-SN and PM-ANS were used to develop new formulas for calculating the body height, needing only parts of the skull. Compared with other methods based on the length of bones of the extremities very similar results were obtained.

Immunohistochemical detection of interstitial collagens in bone and cartilage tissue remnants in an infant Peruvian mummy.

We investigated the immunohistochemical presence of various collagen types in bone and cartilage tissue from an infant Peruvian mummy dating between 500 and 1000 A.D. which had been excavated at the necropolis of Las Trancas in the Nazca region in Peru. Following careful rehydration and decalcification of the tissue, the mummy tissue showed morphologically good preservation of the matrix, which could be shown to be composed of various collagen types in a typical pattern. Bone consisted of a collagen I matrix with a small rim of collagen III and V at the endosteal lining and a pericellular collagen V staining around osteocytic holes. In the hypertrophic cartilage of the epiphyseal growth plate, a typical pattern of collagen types II and X could be found. These observations provide evidence that in well-preserved mummy tissue the antigenic determinants of major matrix components are still adequately preserved for an immunohistochemical analysis. This technique may thus be a very helpful tool for the analysis of pathologic processes of historic bone tissue. It may also allow in certain circumstances a distinction between pseudopathologic tissue destruction and pathologic tissue alteration.

[Unexplained findings in anthropologic study material from Egypt. Addenda to Herodotus' "Historian", Lib. II, 86-88 and Egyptian "Sparagmos"?]. / Rätselhafte Befunde an anthropologischem Untersuchungsmaterial aus Agypten. Addenda zu Herodots "Historien", Lib. II, 86-88 und zum ägyptischen "Sparagmos"?

The authors report on recently excavated mummified human remains from Buto and Minshat Abu Omar in the Nile Delta (Lower Egypt). There is evidence that besides the conventional mummification techniques described for example by Herodotus rather invasive methods have been applied, i.e. maceration and dissection of the soft tissue, partly followed by modelling the skeleton with a thin layer of mud. This practise remembers of certain mutilated anthropological material of predynastic origin discovered towards the end of the last century by W.M. Flinders Petrie, which additionally seems to show significant parallels to ancient Egyptian mythological and religious texts (Pyramid texts, Coffin texts, Book of the Dead, etc.). Probably the presented findings, dated between 700 B.C. and 400 A.D., must be explained as a local rebirth of an archaic but non-specific Egyptian custom, preceding the inauguration of mummification in Egypt. The main task of this paper is to introduce important new material and to ask those missions also involved in archaeological fieldwork in Egypt for paying special attention to this subject.

[Paleodemographic and cultural historical studies of skeletal remains of the pre- and early dynasty necropole in Minshat Abu Omar (east Nile delta)]. / Paläodemographische und kulturhistorische Untersuchungen an Skelettfunden der vor- und frühdynastischen Nekropole in Minshat Abu Omar (östliches Nildelta).

The pre- and early dynastic necropole near by Minshat Abu Omar can be dated (Carbon dates) in the time from 3300 till 2900 B.C. Till now, there were 418 graves investigated. The dead people were buried in left or right flexed position. High salt concentration in sand destroyed the bone material extraordinary, so that morphometric analysis could not be done. The determination of sex and/or age was possible for 87.08% of the individuums. The average of the life-span was about 26 years. The village consists of 20 till 50 huts with 107 till 120 inhabitants.

[Results of computer-assisted studies of population structure and burial practices of adults of the late Roman burial ground in the Minshat Abu Omar (east Nile delta)]. / Ergebnisse computergestützter Untersuchungen zu Bevölkerungsstruktur und Bestattungssitten der Erwachsenen des spätzeitlich-römischen Gräberfeldes in Minshat Abu Omar (östliches Nildelta).

The results of 1448 skeletons met the requirements (database) for the completed examinations. Statistical correlations between situation of the skeletons in view of compass directions, position of the skeletons, grave type and mumification traces were calculated. More than 90% of the analyzed individuals were buried in west-east direction (head-feet). In 69% of all cases the skeletons were buried with their hands on or next to the pelvis. 98% of all mummies examined were found in the position hand/hands on shoulder. Special grave architecture was given in 15.8% of the examined individuals. The average life-expectancy for the group between 20 to 29 amounted to 14.65 years. The cluster-analysis showed clear differentiation of the male group in 3 to 4 subpopulations. For the female group a mathematical probability for 3 subpopulations was given. Connecting the data of cluster and burial types a significant distinction between the four male clusters - according to the distribution of the skeleton positions - could be seen. Within the female group a clear correlation between clusters and common characteristics could be found in 7 subgroups. Differentiated distribution was revealed in the different alignments of the skeletons.

[Surgical findings in an Egyptian mummy's skull]. / Kieferchirurgische Befunde eines ägyptischen Mumienschädels.

Reports of hard and soft tissue injuries of the head in ancient Egypt were first published in the surgical "Book of Wounds" of E. Smith's Papyrus, which dates back to the 16th century B.C., and is assumed (Pahl, 1986) to be a collection of experiences gained over a thousand years. Diagnostic clues and guidelines for the treatment of fractures of the maxilla and the zygomatic bone are described in several cases.

[Trace element studies on the the dental calculi of individuals from historical populations]. / Spurenelementuntersuchungen an Zahnsteinen von Individuen historischer Populationen.

In two different populations (Bavaria 6th-7th cent. A.D. and Egypt 700 B.C. till 400 A.D.) calculus was analysed in order to find hints for the nutrition of these people. All together, the concentration of 23 elements were analysed. The first dates showed that there were high significant differences in 8 elements (Al, Ba, Ca, Cr, Fe, K, Mn, Sr). The enormous variation of the element concentration as well as the huge of elements allows finally interpretations not in this state. It will be the aim of further studies.

[Innovations in computerized tomography: software routines and their relevance for mummy research and anthropology]. / Innovationen in der Computertomographie (CT): Software-Routinen und ihre Relevanz für Mumienforschung und Anthropologie.

The application of computed tomography (CT) has been proved to be useful not only in present-day medicine, but also in non-clinical disciplines, as it is mummy research and physical anthropology. Concerning these fields CT-high-tech-innovations as three-dimensional surface reconstruction, dual energy/bone mineral-density--and metal artefact correction-programs are introduced and partly exemplified by investigation of human remains from ancient Egypt. The results point out that specific problems can be cleared up, which otherwise could be solved by means of destructive methods only. It is expected that future development of the mentioned CT-software helps to broaden its applicability.

[A skull with deformed nasal structure from the 17th century]. / Ein Schädel mit deformiertem Nasengerüst aus dem 17. Jahrhundert.

A skull from the baroque period is presented which attracted our attention because of its round piriform aperture and enlarged nasomaxillary bones. The deformity is very probably due to large nasal polyps. Some medical documents in literature and an oil-painting with the portrait of an old woman with a bloated nose from the 17th century show that this type of nasal disease was well known three hundred years ago.

Tissue identification and histologic study of six lung specimens from Egyptian mummies.

Twenty-eight specimens obtained either from organ bundles in the body cavities of intact mummies, from damaged mummies, or from isolated canopic jars were examined for tissue identification and histopathologic study. The methods of rehydration and fixation were optimized by application to 40 dehydrated modern samples before studies of mummified tissue were undertaken. The tissue of origin could be definitely identified in 24 of the 28 specimens. Even small fragments obtained from isolated canopic jars proved suitable for histologic study. Six lung specimens were selected for more detailed study. All six showed focal deposition of anthracotic pigment. Electron diffraction and electron microprobe analysis of one of the small, polarizable crystals associated with the anthracosis indicated a mineral content of silica, aluminum, and iron. Two specimens showed focal areas of calcification consistent with old mycobacterial disease. Other histopathologic findings included evidence of pulmonary edema, emphysema, and pneumonia.