Pregnant Egyptian Mummy Unveiled In Warsaw's National Museum, A First in History
For the first time in history, the world will see the first-ever pregnant Egyptian mummy displayed at Warsaw's National Museum.
The discovered pregnant Egyptian mummy was initially believed to be Hor-Djehuti's body who was a priest. However, the team of Polish scientists' new research revealed that the body in bandages belongs to a pregnant woman.
The pregnant Egyptian mummy underwent several sets of X-rays, a tomographic scan, and a three-dimensional visualization. It enabled a closer examination of the whole fetus, which concluded that the mummified woman was in her 26th to 28th week of pregnancy.
"For unknown reasons, the fetus was not removed from the abdomen of the deceased during mummification. That's why this mummy is really special. This means that 'our' mummy is the only one, so far recognized in the world, with a fetus in the womb," stated Wojciech Ejsmond from the Institute of Mediterranean and Oriental Cultures at the Polish Academy of Sciences.
Scientists were able to get 3D images, which clearly show long and curly hair flowing down to her shoulders and breasts. What caused the pregnant Egyptian mummy's death is not yet determined. It is just known that she is between 20 to 30 years old when she died.
The initial remains of the pregnant Egyptian mummy were unearthed in Thebes, which dated back over 2,000 years. Her mummified body was delicately wrapped in fabrics and was spared with a rich set of amulets. These amulets represent Horus' four sons, which made the team think that she might be an important person during that time.
The pregnant Egyptian mummy was taken to Warsaw, Poland, in 1826. She has been discovered lying in royal tombs in Thebes, Upper Egypt. Up to this time, scientists are left baffled why the fetus was not removed from the womb and separately mummified.
