Open AccessNoninvasive radiographic analysis of an Egyptian falcon mummy from the late period 664–332 BC
Author(s) -
Morgan Lee W.,
McGovernHoffman Susan
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of avian biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.022
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1600-048X
pISSN - 0908-8857
DOI - 10.1111/j.0908-8857.2008.04269.x
Subject(s) - kestrel , period (music) , falcon , biology , archaeology , ancient history , art , paleontology , predation , geography , history , computer science , programming language , aesthetics
The practice of mummification by the ancient Egyptians is well known. However, it is less widely known that the ancient Egyptians also mummified animals, including birds, for religious and ceremonial reasons. Few radiographic descriptions of avian mummies are published in the scientific literature. This paper describes the radiographic findings from a falcon mummy from the ancient Egyptian Late Period (664–332 BC). The mummy is believed to be a kestrel Falco tinnunculus, based on anatomical comparisons made with type skeleton specimens held at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History located in Washington D.C. Photographs of the mummy and radiographs of the mummy's contents are presented.