While we will never know the exact appearance of our 2,500-year-old mummy, Ka-i-nefer, modern science can give us a pretty good idea. A team of specialists recently completed a scientific analysis of the mummy’s physical characteristics. As a result, we now have a powerful image of what this ancient Egyptian originally looked like, and we know a bit more about Ka-i-nefer. (See recent press release.)
Rather than unwrapping the mummy and risk ruining its complex bandages, doctors took X-rays and CT scans of Ka-i-nefer’s skeleton. The images revealed that the mummy was of a man who died at about 45 to 55 years old. He stood approximately 5'5" and wore size 7 shoes. (The body lost height during mummification in part because the head had been pushed forward and the backbone twisted.)
Next, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives offered its assistance through a sophisticated computer system called Electronic Facial Identification Technique, used nationally for law enforcement. Two special agents/forensic artists determined the size of Ka-i-nefer’s skull, jaw, the width of his lips, length of his nose, position of his eyes and ears, and the size of his forehead (quite large!) A powerful image emerged that shows us the man who lived thousands of years ago.
Already the mummy in the new Egyptian galleries commanded a powerful presence. Now, as a result of the marriage of science and art, this team of specialists has given us a more personal, even more compelling view of our mummy.
Learn more about Ka-i-nefer.
Rather than unwrapping the mummy and risk ruining its complex bandages, doctors took X-rays and CT scans of Ka-i-nefer’s skeleton. The images revealed that the mummy was of a man who died at about 45 to 55 years old. He stood approximately 5'5" and wore size 7 shoes. (The body lost height during mummification in part because the head had been pushed forward and the backbone twisted.)
Next, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives offered its assistance through a sophisticated computer system called Electronic Facial Identification Technique, used nationally for law enforcement. Two special agents/forensic artists determined the size of Ka-i-nefer’s skull, jaw, the width of his lips, length of his nose, position of his eyes and ears, and the size of his forehead (quite large!) A powerful image emerged that shows us the man who lived thousands of years ago.
Already the mummy in the new Egyptian galleries commanded a powerful presence. Now, as a result of the marriage of science and art, this team of specialists has given us a more personal, even more compelling view of our mummy.
Learn more about Ka-i-nefer.
