| Iret-hor-iru Human Mummy | |
| |
| Biographical Information | |
|---|---|
| Name(s) | Alex (nickname) |
| Age | 2,200 |
| Sex | Male |
| Status | Upper-class priest |
| Height | 154 cm (5 foot 5 or 6) |
| Source | |
| Culture | Egyptian |
| Date(s) | 2nd Century BCE |
| Site | Unknown |
| Current Location | |
| Location | Pontifical Biblical Institute (also known as Biblicum) |
| Catalog # | Unknown |
Iret-hor-iru is approximately 2200 years old, and was between 30-40 years old at the time of death. It was unearthed approximately 500 km south of Cairo, where he lived as a priest in the city of Panopolis, the modern-day Akhmim, in Upper Egypt. The coffin is decorated with various designs, indicating the man was once a high-ranking priest. The mummy and its sarcophagus were donated to the Jerusalem Pontifical Biblical Institute in 1930. Iret-hor-iru translates to "Protective Eye of Horus."
Mummification[]
The dead man underwent the traditional process of embalming and mummification. His internal organs were removed and placed in canopic jars, his brain was pulled out through his nose, his body was packed and covered with natron to dry it out and then wrapped in linen. The mummy is thought to be very well preserved, with the bones, teeth and remnants of blood vessels largely intact.
Studies[]
Radiocarbon dating of the linen wrappings found he died in the 2nd century BC. The bones, teeth, and blood vessels were well preserved; There is indication that he suffered from osteoporosis.
CT scan of the mummy shows signs of tooth decay, cardiovascular disease, and, astonishingly, lack of exposure to the sun.
The mummy still had most of his teeth, but suffered from cavities and receding gums.
Additional[]
The mummy was nicknamed Alex after being donated to Jerusalem’s Pontifical Biblical Institute by Jesuits in Alexandria.
Iret-hor-iru is the only human Egyptian mummy in Israel.
References[]
Ancient Egyptian mummy named 'Alex' displayed in Jerusalem. (n.d.). Retrieved February 26, 2017, from https://www.madamasr.com/en/2016/08/31/news/u/ancient-egyptian-mummy-named-alex-displayed-in-jerusalem/
Zion, I. B., Kampeas, R., Fulbright, A., Staff, T. O., AFP and Times of Israel staff, Times of Israel staff and Judah Ari Gross, . . . Cortellessa, E. (2016, July 26). Israel’s only mummy gets afterlife spotlight at Israel Museum. Retrieved February 26, 2017, from http://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-only-mummy-gets-afterlife-spotlight-at-israel-museum/