2,000-year-old mummy face rebuilt thanks to 3D printing
Isn't it amazing what 3D technology can achieve? We here at Mega Curioso have already talked about a patient who had implanted titanium bones that were created from three-dimensional impressions and also an eagle and toucan that have gained brand new beaks thanks to this innovation. Recently it was the turn of a 2, 000-year-old mummy to have her face reconstructed using this technique in conjunction with forensic science.
According to Richa Malhotra of the Live Science portal, the Egyptian (mummified) skull was discovered by a group of scientists among the artifacts in a collection at the University of Melbourne, Australia. However, as the piece did not appear to be in very good condition, the team decided to do a CT scan of the item.
Nice to meet you, Meritamun!
According to Richa, the examination revealed that the skull was indeed surprisingly well preserved - and the scientists decided to continue "playing" with the artifact. Based on the tomography images, the team printed a three-dimensional replica of the skull and then determined a number of things about the mummy.
After evaluating several features of the cheekbones - including the jaw angle and eye orbits - the researchers concluded that the skull belonged to a woman who was probably not 25 when she died, at least 2, 000 years ago. years. Scientists also concluded that the young woman was someone important enough to be mummified and named the poor Meritamun. Here's the reconstruction of your face below:
The CT exams also revealed other things about the Egyptian girl, such as some health problems she may have suffered. For example, scientists realized that Meritamun had dental problems and that the upper part of his skull was extremely thin and porous, which they said was compatible with the diagnosis of deep anemia.
As explained, the deficiency of hemoglobin and oxygen in the blood may have caused the swelling of the spinal cord - as a result of the desperate attempt of this tissue to produce more red blood cells - and, consequently, bone loss in the skull. The researchers said that both dental problems and anemia were quite common among the ancient Egyptians, and blood deficiency was possibly one of the factors that led to Meritamun's death.
What is most interesting about the impression of the three-dimensional replica of the skull is that it not only allowed scientists not only to recreate the face of someone who died so long ago, but also to unravel several mysteries about Meritamun without damaging the original bones.
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