Discovered in 1935, an ancient Egyptian mummy with a chilling, open-mouthed expression continues to captivate researchers. Known as the “screaming woman,” her remains were found in a tomb near Luxor, her eternal scream suggesting a dramatic and possibly agonizing death.
Unveiling the secrets through technology
Recently, a team of scientists employed CT scans, infrared imaging, and other advanced techniques to examine the mummy’s morphology, health conditions, and preservation. Their findings, published in the journal Frontiers in Medicine on Friday, provide a deeper understanding of her life and death.
The study revealed that the woman was 48 years old at the time of her death, determined by analyzing her pelvic joints. Remarkably, her body was embalmed with costly substances such as frankincense and juniper resin, indicating her high status.
Intriguing aspects of mummification
Sahar Saleem, a professor of radiology at Kasr Al Ainy Hospital at Cairo University and the study’s lead author, noted that no incisions were found on the body. This aligns with the initial discovery that her internal organs—including the brain, diaphragm, heart, lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys, and intestines—remained intact. This preservation method was atypical for that era, as the usual mummification process involved organ removal.
Saleem stated, “Here we show that she was embalmed with costly, imported embalming material. This, and the mummy’s well-preserved appearance, contradicts the traditional belief that a failure to remove her inner organs implied poor mummification.”
Physical condition and uncertain cause of death
The researchers found the woman stood 1.54 meters (a little over 5 feet) tall and had mild arthritis of the spine, with bone spurs visible on some vertebrae. Several of her teeth were also missing, likely lost before death. Despite these insights, the exact cause of death remains undetermined.
The study noted that only a few ancient Egyptian mummies have been found with open mouths, as embalmers typically ensured the mouth was closed during mummification. The researchers hypothesized that her “screaming facial expression” could result from cadaveric spasm, a rare muscular stiffening associated with violent deaths, suggesting she may have died in agony or pain.
The well-preserved nature of the mummy, combined with the use of rare and expensive embalming materials, rules out the possibility of a careless mummification process. The study speculates that she might have been mummified within 18 to 36 hours of death, preserving her open mouth.
However, the study emphasized that a mummy’s facial expression does not necessarily reflect the individual’s feelings at death. Factors such as decomposition, the rate of desiccation, and the compressive force of wrappings could all influence a mummy’s appearance.
“Burial procedures or post-mortem alterations might have contributed to the phenomena of mummies with screaming appearances,” the authors noted. Saleem added, “The cause or true history or circumstances of the death of this woman are unknown, hence the cause of her screaming facial appearance cannot be established with certainty.”
Historical context and comparisons
The “screaming woman” was buried beneath the tomb of Senmut, an architect for Queen Hatshepsut, suggesting a possible familial connection. Her remains were discovered by an expedition led by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Today, her coffin is displayed at the museum, while her mummified body is stored at the Cairo Egyptian Museum.
Saleem has previously studied other open-mouthed mummies. One, believed to be Prince Pentawere, had his throat slit for his role in assassinating his father, Ramesses III. His body was barely embalmed, indicating a lack of care. Another, Princess Meritamun, died of a heart attack, with her open mouth likely due to postmortem jaw movement.
Randall Thompson, a cardiologist at the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine, praised the study’s detail, stating that the preferred explanation for the mummy’s open mouth “made sense.” Thompson added, “Their investigation helps us to understand what substances were available in ancient times and how our ancestors used them. More broadly, we can learn much about health and disease from the study of ancient mummies.”
“For example, we have learned that heart disease is not new, as many people used to believe. It is literally older than Moses.”
This advanced research continues to unravel the mysteries of ancient Egypt, providing a glimpse into the lives and deaths of those who lived thousands of years ago.