Short Review: The Use of Conventional X-rays in Mummy Studies

TY - JOUR

T1 - Short Review

T2 - The Use of Conventional X-rays in Mummy Studies

AU - Lynnerup, Niels

AU - Rühli, Frank

N1 - © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PY - 2015/6/1

Y1 - 2015/6/1

N2 - X-raying is arguably the most well-known, non-invasive technique for visualising the internal structures of ancient mummies and bog bodies. There are several factors such as the easy availability, the relative cheapness as well as the high spatial resolution, which speaks for this diagnostic modality in ancient mummy research. The aim of this short review is to address the advantages and pitfalls of this particular technique for such unique samples. We recommend that when results of X-ray examination of mummies are presented, the specific recording data should be listed, and any given finds, for example, of Paleopathology, should be cross-checked against other sources, for example, CT-scanning, direct inspection (also by endoscopy), and so forth.

AB - X-raying is arguably the most well-known, non-invasive technique for visualising the internal structures of ancient mummies and bog bodies. There are several factors such as the easy availability, the relative cheapness as well as the high spatial resolution, which speaks for this diagnostic modality in ancient mummy research. The aim of this short review is to address the advantages and pitfalls of this particular technique for such unique samples. We recommend that when results of X-ray examination of mummies are presented, the specific recording data should be listed, and any given finds, for example, of Paleopathology, should be cross-checked against other sources, for example, CT-scanning, direct inspection (also by endoscopy), and so forth.

U2 - 10.1002/ar.23147

DO - 10.1002/ar.23147

M3 - Review

C2 - 25998642

SN - 1932-8486

VL - 298

SP - 1085

EP - 1087

JO - Anatomical Record

JF - Anatomical Record

IS - 6

ER -