| Infant Mummy Pair Human Mummy | |
| |
| Biographical Information | |
|---|---|
| Name(s) | |
| Age | infant/fetus |
| Sex | undetermined |
| Status | |
| Height | 46.5 centimetres/Length: 28 centimetres |
| Source | |
| Culture | Egypt |
| Date(s) | |
| Site | |
| Current Location | |
| Location | The British Museum |
| Catalog # | EA54055 |
A pair of infant mummies were donated to the British Museum in 1915 by Capt, E. L. Gruning. It was initially though that one or both of the wrapped mummies might contain animal remains, but recent exams confirmed human mummies.
Mummification[]
The two miniature mummies were wrapped in plain, resin-coated bandages. The smaller mummy lay on and was adherent to the the larger.
Studies[]
The larger child died at or shortly after birth. The skull showed considerable overlapping of the bones of the vault. All facial bones and bones of the base of the skull disorganized.
Thorax and abdomen ribs were compressed and dislocated. There was a considerable curvature of the spine, and some of the dorsal vertebrae appear to be missing. There was a fracture, mid-shaft of the left clavicle, probably post mortem.
There are two dense objects lying on surface of the abdomen, possibly amulets. Arms were extended, palms of hands in contact with outer thighs. Legs show no fractures. Many of the bones of the feet are dislocated.
The smaller mummy was apparently a fetus of about 5 months. The state of the skull, thorax, and abdomen, legs, and arms is similar to that of the larger mummy.
Radiographic examination carried out in 2008 confirmed that both of the mummies contain the remains of human children.