Abstract
Before the discovery of X-rays, the only available method of scientifically investigating the structure of a mummified body was to dissect it. Since the discovery of X-rays by Roentgen in 1895, Egyptologists and others interested in paleopathology have been using medical imaging to aid research into ancient biological artifacts. In this chapter, the history of medical imaging is briefly considered, particularly as it relates to the imaging of mummies. Various systems are discussed along with their suitability to mummy studies; and possible disadvantages of the use of ionizing radiation are also discussed as is the potential future direction of advances in this field. The subject of data security is introduced with reference to present day technology.
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Loynes, R.D., Bianucci, R. (2021). Medical Imaging in Mummy Studies. In: Shin, D.H., Bianucci, R. (eds) The Handbook of Mummy Studies. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-3354-9_39
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-3354-9_39
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