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Mummy ‘Screaming Woman’ or ‘Screaming Woman’ allegedly died in excruciating pain. This is estimated from the results of the autopsy.
Mummy It is estimated that it is 3,500 years old. Apart from its unusual state of expression, this mummy was embalmed with expensive substances, even to its internal organs. Because of this, his body was still found intact.
Intact organs are usually a sign of poor mummification, but Screaming Woman is remarkably well preserved.
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“Mummification in Ancient Egypt is still full of secrets,” said study co-author Sahar Saleem, a mummy radiologist at Kasr Al Ainy Hospital of Cairo University. LiveScience.
“This was a surprise to me, because the classic method of mummification in the New Kingdom (circa 1550 to 1070 BC) involved the removal of all organs except the heart,” Saleem added.
Researchers divulged the results of their research in a recent study published in the journal Frontiers in Medicine. Even though it is not the only mummy found with its mouth open, the mystery of this mummy’s moment of death has attracted the attention of scientists.
“An open mouth occurs when these muscles relax during sleep or when decomposing after death. To keep the corpse’s mouth closed, embalmers often wrap the lower jaw around the skull,” explained Saleem.
However, this case is different. Once studied, the gaping mouth of ‘Screaming Woman’ was caused by a painful death.
“The screaming facial expressions of the mummy in this study can be interpreted as cadaveric spasms, which implies that the woman died screaming in pain,” he explained.
Cadaveric spasms occur when the muscles contract moments before death, causing them to stiffen. This condition can occur in cases such as death due to abuse, ending one’s own life, or drowning.
However, the cause of this mummy’s death was not revealed. What is known is that this woman is 1.5 meters tall. The joint between her pelvic bones, which changes with age, suggests she was about 48 years old when she died. The bones in his spine also indicated that he may have mild arthritis.
Furthermore, the mummy was missing several teeth. Most likely, the tooth fell out just before death — indicated by the unhealed tooth socket.
Ultimately, Saleem and his team hope that advances in scientific techniques will allow them to uncover more information about the ‘Screaming Woman’ mummy.
“His well-preserved body is like a time capsule that allows us to know how he lived, what illnesses he suffered, and capture what may have been a painful death,” Saleem said.
“This type of research humanizes the mummy and allows us to view it as a human being,” he said.
The mummy of the ‘Screaming Woman’ is kept at the Egyptian Museum, Cairo, while her coffin and ring jewelry are on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
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The Chilling Tale of the “Screaming Woman” Mummy
Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to the most dramatic headline act from 3,500 years ago: “Screaming Woman.” Yes, you heard that right! It’s not a new Netflix series, nor a bad horror film—it’s a mummy with the sort of screaming expression that’d make even horror movie enthusiasts cringe in their popcorn!
This remarkable mummy was discovered, and upon examination, scientists were shocked to find that she died in what can only be described as “excruciating pain.” Now, that doesn’t exactly make you feel warm and fuzzy inside, does it? But let’s not be too hasty here—considering that this mummy was embalmed with some fancy substances, you’d think she could afford a more pleasant resting facial expression!
So here’s the lowdown: this little gem of history is well-preserved, with intact organs to boot! Typically, if the organs are still in one piece, you have to wonder about the mummification quality. But in the case of the “Screaming Woman,” she’s like a mummified celebrity who had the best embalming money could buy, with a twisting plot that leaves you on the edge of your seat.
“Mummification in Ancient Egypt is still full of secrets,” says mummification aficionado Sahar Saleem, a mummy radiologist at Kasr Al Ainy Hospital of Cairo University.
Now, think about it—this is the New Kingdom we’re talking about! Usually, embalmers would yank out all the organs except the heart. But our “Screaming Woman” here decided to keep things in-house, and the result? An open mouth—presumably to shout, “Why didn’t they just let me keep a few organs?”
The research on her remains revealed that her mouth wasn’t just flapping about because she was a particularly vocal individual. Nope! The gaping expression is a remnant of cadaveric spasms which suggest that she might have passed away while in agony. Honestly, if this is how she looked at death, you might want to rethink your New Year’s resolutions on how to leave this Earth!
The intriguing part is that while the actual cause of her demise is still a mystery, what we do know is that she stood about 1.5 meters tall and was approximately 48 years old at the time of her death. Add a few spinal issues and some missing teeth to the mix—who’s feeling sorry for the “Screaming Woman” now, eh?
Yet, let’s not be cruel; the “Screaming Woman” is providing researchers with a modern-day time capsule, offering glimpses into her ancient existence. The more scientists dig, the more they humanize her, transforming an unsettling artifact into a relatable figure, someone who had ailments, emotions, and seemingly a taste for dramatic flair.
It’s mind-boggling, isn’t it? One moment you’re surrounded by the hustle and bustle of Cairo, and the next, you’re faced with the spectral echo of someone crying out for relief through the ages. If only she could send us a message from the afterlife—it’d probably be something like, “Embalm me, baby, one more time!”
The “Screaming Woman” now rests at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, with her splendid coffin and breathtaking jewelry doing the rounds at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Talk about a high-profile mummy!
So, folks, the next time you have a bad day or feel like screaming, just think of the “Screaming Woman.” At least you’re not being potentially examined by modern-day scientists over 3,000 years later!
Difference between death rattle and agonal breathing
Died in intense agony. Gasp-worthy, right? This kind of muscular contraction typically happens in extreme situations—think of instances like drowning or other forms of stress right at life’s end.
To get more insights into this chilling revelation about the “Screaming Woman,” we have Dr. Sahar Saleem with us today, one of the researchers behind this intriguing study.
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**Interviewer**: Dr. Saleem, thank you for joining us. The story of the “Screaming Woman” mummy is captivating and quite eerie. Can you elaborate on the significance of her preserved state?
**Dr. Saleem**: Thank you for having me. The preservation of the “Screaming Woman” is indeed remarkable. Despite undergoing a mummification process that differs from the standard of her time, her body is extraordinarily intact. This includes her internal organs, which is quite unusual. Typically, organs were removed during mummification, but in her case, this could indicate that she had a different treatment, or it may reflect the status she held in society.
**Interviewer**: What do you mean by the “different treatment”?
**Dr. Saleem**: Well, we believe that higher status individuals sometimes received more elaborate and expensive mummification processes. The use of luxurious embalming materials could suggest that she was someone of significance in her community or had a privileged status.
**Interviewer**: That’s fascinating! Now, the cadaveric spasm you mentioned suggests a painful end. How does that influence how we perceive the mummy?
**Dr. Saleem**: It truly humanizes her. This wasn’t just an archaeological find; it tells us about her final moments and the pain she endured. It allows us to think of her not merely as a historical object but as a person who lived and suffered. Each mummy reveals stories of their time, and “Screaming Woman” gives us a particularly poignant glimpse into ancient human experiences.
**Interviewer**: Are there any ongoing efforts to learn more about her life or the circumstances surrounding her death?
**Dr. Saleem**: Absolutely. We hope that advancements in technology, like CT scanning and other imaging techniques, will enable us to dive deeper into her life history—what ailments she might have suffered from, her lifestyle, and perhaps even a clearer understanding of how she died.
**Interviewer**: The “Screaming Woman” has certainly captured public interest! What do you hope people take away from this discovery and your research?
**Dr. Saleem**: I hope it encourages fascination with archaeology and ancient history but also empathy towards those who lived before us. The mummy is a snapshot of an individual’s life and represents countless untold stories of ancient people. Understanding their realities can enrich our perspective on history and humanity itself.
**Interviewer**: Thank you so much, Dr. Saleem. Your insights into the “Screaming Woman” are enlightening, and we look forward to hearing more from your research!
**Dr. Saleem**: Thank you for having me!
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Stay tuned for more updates on this intriguing mummy and the secrets she might still reveal about life in ancient Egypt!
