(Photo – Ricardo Carrasco III)
Radiologists at Keck Medicine of USC, who routinely use computed tomography (CT) scanners to diagnose and treat modern patients, recently applied the technology in an unexpected way: examining the bodies of two ancient Egyptian mummies.
By News Desk
Using a state-of-the-art 320-slice CT scanner, the team conducted full-body scans of two Egyptian priests—Nes-Min, dating to approximately 330 BCE, and Nes-Hor, dating to around 190 BCE. Preserved for more than 2,200 years, the mummies were scanned inside the bottom halves of their sarcophagi, each weighing about 200 pounds. Both were wrapped in linen shrouds darkened by age; the older mummy, Nes-Min, was additionally draped in a heavily beaded net garment and adorned with colorful bead strands.
The scans revealed remarkably detailed images, including facial features such as eyelids and lower lips, offering a more human connection to the men. The imaging also provided insight into their health, life experiences and causes of physical decline—conditions that closely mirror ailments still seen today.
Analysis showed that Nes-Min likely suffered from chronic lower back pain, as his spine displayed a collapsed lumbar vertebra consistent with age-related wear and tear. He was buried with several artifacts, including representations of scarab beetles and a fish. Nes-Hor’s scans revealed significant dental disease and a severely deteriorated hip, suggesting he was older at the time of death than Nes-Min.
“These scans provide a treasure trove of information made possible by Keck Medicine’s access to the latest high-level imaging technology, coupled with the team’s expertise,” said Summer Decker, PhD, who leads 3D imaging for Keck Medicine and serves as director of the USC Center for Innovation in Medical Visualization.
“These mummies were scanned previously, but advances in imaging technology have produced results that are far more detailed and extensive,” Decker said. “The high-resolution images revealed features that were previously unknown and helped create a clearer picture of what their lives were like.”
Following the scans, Decker and colleague Jonathan Ford, PhD, used the imaging data to create 3D digital models of the mummies. The team also produced life-size, 3D-printed replicas of the men’s spines, skulls and hips, as well as artifacts found with Nes-Min, using medical-grade 3D printers.
“Mummies have long been a mystery. Seeing beneath the surface to reveal the lived experiences of individuals is incredibly exciting,” said Diane Perlov, PhD, senior vice president for special projects at the California Science Center. “This modern scientific technology offers a powerful window into the world of ancient people and past civilizations that might otherwise be lost.”
The mummies, along with the 3D digital models and printed replicas, will be featured in Mummies of the World: The Exhibition, opening Feb. 7 at the California Science Center. First debuting at the center in 2010 and later touring globally, the exhibition returns to Los Angeles for its final stop, featuring a new selection of mummies never before shown in the city.
The same 3D visualization and printing technologies used on the mummies are routinely employed by Keck Medicine to support modern patient care. Medical imaging from CT or MRI scans is transformed into detailed 3D digital models and physical replicas of organs such as the heart, liver and pelvis. Surgeons use these models to study complex conditions, plan procedures and rehearse surgical approaches before entering the operating room.
“Through 3D visualization, modeling and printing, clinicians can accurately measure hard-to-detect tumors, examine the intricate structure of a patient’s heart or liver, or determine how best to repair a shoulder or hip,” Decker said. “These advanced technologies allow us to create custom treatments and solutions that may lead to improved patient outcomes.”
Keck Medicine houses nearly two dozen 3D printers within the USC Center for Innovation in Medical Visualization, continuing to bridge cutting-edge medical technology with both modern healthcare and the study of the ancient past.
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