Recent research at the Field Museum has utilised cutting-edge CT scanning technology to delve into the lives of 26 mummified individuals from ancient Egypt, shedding new light on their histories, burial practices, and the museum’s evolving role in preserving human remains. The study, spanning four days, provided high-resolution 3D images of these ancient remains, enabling researchers to unwrap the mummified people without compromising their integrity.
This project not only advances our understanding of ancient Egyptian mortuary practices but also emphasises the individuality of the deceased, offering an intimate glimpse into lives lived over 3,000 years ago.
Among the mummified persons examined, the remains of Chenet-aa and Harwa stood out for their historical and personal narratives.
Lady Chenet-aa lived during Egypt’s 22nd Dynasty (943 BCE – 716 BCE) and was buried in an elaborately constructed cartonnage coffin. Her scans revealed her age at death—late 30s to early 40s—along with signs of a diet that wore down her teeth, likely due to sand grains in her food. Supplementary eyes were placed in her sockets to go with her into the afterlife, reflecting the Egyptians’ literal interpretation of afterlife preparation. A long-standing mystery about her cartonnage was also resolved: researchers discovered a seam down the back, showing that the cartonnage was softened, opened, and laced together around the wrapped body.
Harwa, another person from the same period, offers a contrasting story. As a high-status individual serving as a doorkeeper to a granary of the 22nd Dynasty, Harwa’s remains reveal well-preserved teeth and a spine free from signs of physical labour. His posthumous adventures are equally fascinating. Harwa was the first mummified person to fly on an aeroplane in 1939, attended a Broadway show, and even experienced a mix-up during his return journey, highlighting shifting attitudes toward human remains over the decades.
The burial practices and beliefs revealed in these scans also resonate with accounts found in the Hebrew Bible, particularly about preparation for the afterlife and the care for the dead. Ancient Egyptians’ meticulous embalming practices reflect their profound concern for the eternal state of the body, a concept paralleled in some biblical narratives. For example, the care given to Joseph’s body in Egypt (Genesis 50:26) mirrors Egyptian mortuary customs. The text states that Joseph was embalmed and placed in a coffin, a rare acknowledgment of Egyptian practices in the Hebrew Bible. This suggests the influence of Egyptian traditions on the Israelites during their time in Egypt, as described in the biblical account.
This research at the Field Museum underscores a commitment to treating mummified individuals as persons with histories, families, and cultural contexts, rather than as mere objects of curiosity. Modern conservation practices now emphasise respect and dignity, reflecting broader ethical standards in the care of human remains.