3D facial approximation and endocast analysis of the Mummy of Minirdis (Ancient Egypt, ca. 2,300 Before Present).

The present article offers the facial approximation of the mummy of the ancient Egyptian adolescent named Minirdis (ca. 2300 years BP) by means of anatomical analysis of video-images and through a facial approximation protocol implemented on more historical personages. An evaluation of the mummy's endocast is also offered. A potential diagnosis of Sotos syndrome is cautiously considered but its inherent limitations are detailed. Finally, the methodology is presented as a valuable tool both for bio-historical research and for further studies on normal and pathologic morphologies of the cranio-facial district.

HEAD LOUSE PALEOEPIDEMIOLOGY IN THE OSMORE RIVER VALLEY, SOUTHERN PERU.

Recent studies of louse ectoparasites from mummies have developed robust data sets that allow a true epidemiological approach to the prehistory of louse parasitism. One epidemiological principle is that the binomial of overdispersion is normally negative, meaning that in a host population, parasites are aggregated in a few individuals. We demonstrate the overdispersion of lice in 3 different prehistoric communities that differ along 3 axes or variables: environmental setting, socioeconomic status, and cultural affiliation. Distinct cultural practices could have been involved in different patterns of louse infestation. Prevalence, intensity, and abundance of infestations exhibit statistically significant differences between the communities. We also find differences in prevalence between subadults and adults that contrasted by cultural affiliation and suggest conditions different from those seen today. We show that overall prevalence was affected primarily by ecological setting, not socioeconomic status nor cultural affiliation. These findings demonstrate that statistical analysis of archaeological data can reveal the states of infestation in past populations with lifestyles not seen in modern people. Our approach paves the way for future comparisons of subpopulations within archaeological communities.

Advances in paleopathology in context: A focus on soft tissue paleopathology.

Skeletal and mummified remains from South America have had a significant impact on the progress of paleopathological research. In 1997, John Verano synthesized the state of paleopathological research, identifying trends and highlighting future potentials. The goal of this contribution is to consider Verano's observations on advances in soft tissue paleopathology within the context of the development of the field of mummy studies. As his article was published near the midpoint between the present and the early 1970s, when the modern form of mummy studies began to form, considering his observations in this context allows researchers the opportunity to consider how the field has progressed since the late 1990s.

Use of Computed Tomography scanning in a 'virtual' bioarchaeology of care analysis of a Central Coast Peruvian mummy bundle.

BACKGROUND: CT scanning was utilized to investigate an intact mummy bundle within the bioarchaeology of care framework. The project sought to ascertain whether a 'virtual' analysis was feasible, thereby avoiding physical disturbance to bundle structure and contents. METHODS: The bundle selected for this study contained an adult male (FA 54), Ichma culture, Peru, displaying evidence for two pathologies: chronic osteomyelitis of the right tibia, and cranial trauma. CT images provided the basis for bioarchaeology of care analysis, which followed Index of Care protocols. RESULTS: CT images enabled description and diagnosis of FA 54, and revealed human neonate remains and material artifacts within the bundle. Probable disease impacts were identified, and likely forms of care provided were inferred. CT scanning was of limited value in identifying characteristics of textile wrapping (a clue to cultural identity) and in resolving questions regarding funerary treatment (primary vs. secondary burial), and this constrained consideration of wider social implications of caregiving. CONCLUSION: 'Virtual' examination of FA 54 achieved an advanced stage of bioarchaeology of care analysis, but building on this would require physical examination of bundle elements. Further investigation of CT imaging potential for bioarchaeology of care research in mummy studies is recommended.

Ultrastructural preservation of tissues and their reaction to the infection with trichinella in the El Plomo mummy: Muscle fiber ultrastructure and trichinosis/mummy of the Cerro El Plomo.

The El Plomo mummy was a pre-Columbian Incan child who was found mummified in the Andes Mountains above an altitude of 17,700 feet. In the environment, natural mummification occurred due to low temperatures and strong winds. Dating measurements (relative dating) by experts from the National Museum of Natural History of Chile established that the mummified body corresponds the Inca period (1,450 to 1,500 AD). In 2003, the body was transferred to the University of Chile Medical School for exhaustive medical examination. Tissue samples from the right quadriceps muscle were extracted and fixed in glutaraldehyde and postfixed in osmium tetroxide to obtain ultrathin sections to be observed by transmission electron microscope. Images were recorded on photographic paper, digitalized and analyzed by experts on morphology. Results showed a preservation of cell boundaries in striated muscle cells, but specific subcellular organelles or contractile sarcomeric units (actin and myosin) were unable to be recognized. However, the classical ultrastructural morphology of the polypeptide collagen type I was preserved intact both in primary and secondary organization. Therefore, we concluded that the process of natural mummification by freezing and strong winds is capable of damaging the ultrastructure of muscle cells and preserving collagen type I intact.

The Tres Ventanas Mummies of Peru.

The Tres Ventanas mummies of Peru are thought to be among the oldest mummies in existence, dating to between 8,000 and 10,000 years ago. A preliminary assessment is made of the potential of these mummies for use in future research on mummified remains. Although the Tres Ventanas cave and the four mummies were explored and then excavated by Frederic Engel in 1966-67, and the project is named in his honor as the "Engel Study Group", the importance of both the physical remains and the context in which they were found has only come to light in the last few years. Most important is the paleopathological examination of these remains, since these mummies are found in a high altitude area of Peru where adaptation to the limited partial pressure of oxygen is perhaps a key component in broadening our understanding of human diversity in past populations.

Insights about echinostomiasis by paleomolecular diagnosis.

Echinostomiasis is a zoonosis caused by intestinal trematodes and transmitted by the ingestion of mollusks, crustaceans, fish, amphibians, and reptiles, either raw or poorly cooked. Today human infection is endemic in Southeast Asia and the Far East, but has been reported more recently in other regions of the world. Interestingly eggs identified as Echinostoma sp. were found in coprolites from a mummified body human in Brazil, dated 560 ± 40 BP (before present). However, the specific diagnosis based on morphology of the eggs has not been resolved at the species level. As a follow-up to the previous finding, the current study now aims to standardize the methodology for molecular diagnosis and apply it to the coprolite, using current Echinostoma paraensei-positive feces as the reference, and also the same fecal material dried in a stove as an experimental coprolite model. Isolated eggs of E. paraensei and adult worm were included to verify the sensibility and as positive control, respectively. An adult worm of E. luisreyi was used for comparison. PCR using primers in-house for ITS1 region (126 bp) and cox1 (123 bp) of Echinostoma spp. and subsequent nucleotide sequencing were performed. This is the first molecular paleoparasitological diagnosis for echinostomiasis. The methodology was able to amplify specific DNA fragments for the genus Echinostoma sp. in all samples: adult worm, feces, and a single egg of the parasite, in both the experimental coprolite and archaeological sample. Additionally we observed that ancient DNA can also be retrieved without rehydrating the material. The nucleotide sequences from E. paraensei and E. luisreyi are very similar in the fragment analyzed that difficult the differentiation these species, but DNA sequence analysis recovered in the parasite found in the mummy showed more similarity with the species E. paraensei.

Taphonomic considerations of a whipworm infection in a mummy from the Dominican Church of the Holy Spirit, Vilnius, Lithuania.

In the present study, the abdominal contents of 10 mummies from beneath the Dominican Church of the Holy Spirit in Vilnius, Lithuania, were examined for the presence of helminth parasites using standard archaeoparasitological techniques. Of the mummies examined, only one individual presented with evidence of parasitism. This individual was infected with both Trichuris trichiura and Ascaris lumbricoides (5,222 parasite eggs/gram). The conditions of many of the T. trichiura eggs suggest that a fortuitously embedded female whipworm decomposed within the individual's gut to release the eggs, as opposed to the eggs actually being passed by the adult helminth. This study highlights a taphonomic issue unique to mummies by demonstrating the differential preservation of parasite eggs existing in various stages of development. Whenever one is not dealing with parasite eggs that have already been passed by the host, as is the case when analyzing intestinal tissues, one must understand that some types of parasite eggs may not be fully formed. It is imperative, as demonstrated by our findings, that researchers have the knowledge to recognize under-developed intestinal helminth eggs in addition to fully formed intestinal helminth eggs from mummy source materials. Together, these findings demonstrate the persistence of these helminth parasites in Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries and represent the first archaeoparasitological evidence from mummies in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Bio-anthropology and paleopathology of the SO10-IX muisca mummy from Sátivanorte, Boyacá, Colombia / Bioantropología y paleopatología de la momia muisca SO10-IX de Sátivanorte, Boyacá, Colombia

Introduction: The practice of artificial mummification of human corpses in America was common to most Andean pre-Hispanic societies to which the Muiscas belonged. Objective: bio-anthropologically and paleopathologically characterize the SO10-IX mummy.Materials and methods: Case and field history graphic study with invasive and non-invasive techniques. Results: Pre-Hispanic individual from the 14th century, male, 25 to 30 years of age. Macroscopic dental and osseous characteristics suggest it fitting the American Indian pattern. Evident absence of lower left member and right thigh, and the vertebral column reveals marked angular kyphosis, a pre-vertebral abscess in spindle shape, a lesion of vertebrate bodies T7 and T8, compatible with tuberculous spondylitis known as Pott’s disease. Also noted is the good state of the dentoalveolar complex. Conclusions: For the first time, there is evidence of tuberculosis, in pre-Hispanic times, in a Muisca mummy from the Andean plateau (high plains). Due to the multidisciplinary approach, the historical, geographic, paleopathologic, bio-anthropologic, cultural, and chronological contexts of the mummy were reconstructed, granting importance to this national heritage asset. Two facial reconstruction studies are proposed, preservation and manipulation, and a genetic analysis to confirm the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA. The ritual position of mummification caused difficulties in the study and measurement techniques.

Introducción: La práctica de la momificación artificial de cuerpos humanos en América, fue común a la mayoría de las sociedades prehispánicas andinas, a las que pertenecen los muiscas. Objetivo: Caracterizar bioantropológica y paleopatológicamente la momia S010-IX. Materiales y métodos: Estudio historiográfico de campo y de caso, con uso de técnicas invasivas y no invasivas. Resultados: Individuo prehispánico, del siglo XIV, sexo masculino, de 25-30 años de edad. Las características macroscópicas dentales y óseas sugieren que pertenece al patrón indígena americano. Presenta ausencia de miembro inferior izquierdo y muslo derecho. En la columna vertebral se observa una marcada cifosis angular, restos de un absceso prevertebral en forma de huso, una lesión de los cuerpos vertebrales T7 y T8, compatibles con una espondilitis tuberculosa conocida como Mal de Pott. Presenta un buen estado del complejo dentoalveolar. Conclusiones: Por primera vez se presenta evidencia de la existencia de tuberculosis, en época prehispánica, en una momia muisca del altiplano. Gracias al enfoque multidisciplinario se reconstruyó el contexto histórico, geográfico, paleopatológico, bioantropológico, cultural y cronológico de la momia, dándole la importancia a este bien patrimonial de la nación. Se proponen estudios de reconstrucción facial, preservación y manejo, y un análisis genético para confirmar la presencia de ADN de Mycobacterium tuberculosis. La posición ritual de la momificación, dificultó el estudio y las técnicas de medición.

Ophyra capensis(Wiedemann) (Diptera, Muscidae) found inside the esophagus of a mummy in Lisbon (Portugal)

The present paper aims to describe the material (puparia and adult fragments) of Ophyra capensis (Wiedemann, 1818) (Diptera, Muscidae) recently found inside the esophagus of a mummified body from the XIX century, in Lisbon (Portugal). Illustrations of the material and a brief discussion are presented. Third larvar stadium, pupa and adult of O. capensis and O. ignava are presented.

O presente trabalho tem o objetivo de descrever fragmentos de pupário e adultos de Ophyra capensis (Wiedemann, 1818) (Diptera, Muscidae) recentemente encontrados no interior do esôfago de um corpo mumificado do século XIX em Lisboa (Portugal). Ilustrações do material e uma breve discussão são apresentados.

Ophyra capensis(Wiedemann) (Diptera, Muscidae) found inside the esophagus of a mummy in Lisbon (Portugal)

The present paper aims to describe the material (puparia and adult fragments) of Ophyra capensis (Wiedemann, 1818) (Diptera, Muscidae) recently found inside the esophagus of a mummified body from the XIX century, in Lisbon (Portugal). Illustrations of the material and a brief discussion are presented. Third larvar stadium, pupa and adult of O. capensis and O. ignava are presented.

O presente trabalho tem o objetivo de descrever fragmentos de pupário e adultos de Ophyra capensis (Wiedemann, 1818) (Diptera, Muscidae) recentemente encontrados no interior do esôfago de um corpo mumificado do século XIX em Lisboa (Portugal). Ilustrações do material e uma breve discussão são apresentados.

Pre-Columbian Chagas disease in Brazil: Trypanosoma cruzi I in the archaeological remains of a human in Peruaçu Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil

We evaluated the presence and distribution of Trypanosoma cruzi DNA in a mummy presenting with megacolon that was dated as approximately 560 ± 40 years old. The mummy was from the Peruaçu Valley in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. All samples were positive for T. cruzi minicircle DNA, demonstrating the presence and broad dissemination of the parasite in this body. From one sample, a mini-exon gene fragment was recovered and characterized by sequencing and was found to belong to the T. cruzi I genotype. This finding suggests that T. cruzi I infected humans during the pre-Columbian times and that, in addition to T. cruzi infection, Chagas disease in Brazil most likely preceded European colonization.