Visualization, Documentation and Non-Destructive Investigation of an Ancient Egyptian Corn Mummy in a Falcon-shaped Wooden Coffin

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Conservation Center - Grand Egyptian Museum - Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities - Cairo - Egypt

2 Director of Scientific Research, Projects Sector, Ministry of tourism and Antiquities.

Abstract

Corn mummies’ were funerary objects in ancient Egypt that were served as sacred images of the god Osiris during the Khoiak feast. They are grain-filled linen sacs, usually filled with an emmer or barley specimen, the ingredients for staple food in ancient Egypt (bread and beer). In the fertility cult of Osiris, the function of Corn mummies was presumably for continuous prosperity of the land and healthy crop growth. This paper focuses on the use of nondestructive methods for the documentation and visual examination of a Corn mummy coffin (No. 1242) dating back to the late period; but its original inscriptions are partially lost. Digital imaging and Reflectance Transformation imaging (RTI) were used to document all surface aspects. D-stretch was used to enhance surface details that were not clearly visible by digital imaging and RTI. Infrared imaging was used to reveal the details of hieroglyphic inscriptions and outline drawings on the wooden coffin. X-ray radiography was used to non-destructively verify the inside contents of the wrapped mummy inside the wooden coffin, and whether it includes any human remains or not. The methods provided a comprehensive documentation and examination of the various parts of the artifact.

Highlights

  • The ‘corn mummies’ are grain-filled linen sacs.
  • Use of nondestructive methods for the documentation and visual examination of a corn mummy coffin; its original decoration disappeared.
  • Digital imaging was used to document all surface aspects
  • D-stretch was used to enhance surface details that were not clearly visible by digital imaging.
  • X-ray Radiography was used to examine the contents inside the wrapped figure and the physical condition of the object components.

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