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ScienceArchaeologySeriously Gruesome Death of an Egyptian Pharaoh Detailed in New Study
The forensic analysis of a 3,600-year-old mummy is providing fascinating new insights into a pivotal Egyptian pharaoh and the circumstances of his exceptionally violent death. Seqenenre-Taa-II was likely executed by multiple assailants after being captured on the battlefield, according to new research published in the science journal Frontiers in Medicine. The new research also shows … Continued
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io9BooksScience FictionHello Again, Sweetie—Doctor Who‘s Alex Kingston Has Penned a River Song Novel
Doctor Who’s River Song is returning in a sci-fi noir novel that casts her as an international and interdimensional woman of mystery. Even better: our patron saint of spoilers’ new novel, The Ruby’s Curse, will be penned by Alex Kingston herself. The Ruby’s Curse follows Song and her own seemingly fictitious alter ego on a curse-laden adventure … Continued
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ScienceArchaeologyAnalysis of Ancient Egyptian Mummy Reveals Unusual Mud Ritual
The discovery of a hardened mud carapace wrapped around a 3,200-year-old mummy has brought a previously unknown ancient Egyptian burial practice to light. The mud carapace—a shell-like casing—was identified on an Egyptian mummy kept at the Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney in Australia. Carapaces on mummies have been documented before, but … Continued
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ScienceArchaeologyPet Monkeys Brought to Ancient Egypt Were Buried With Sea Shells and Other Trinkets
Monkeys recovered from an ancient Egyptian pet cemetery have been traced back to India. The compassionate burials, in which the monkeys were laid down in the fetal position and surrounded with grave goods, suggests the primates were kept as pets, in what is a unique archaeological discovery. Archaeologists from the University of Warsaw’s Polish Centre … Continued
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ScienceArchaeologyMummified Kitten, Snake, and Bird Are ‘Unwrapped’ in New X-Ray Study
Using high-resolution, 3D X-ray scans, a team of researchers has digitally unwrapped and analyzed three mummified animals from ancient Egypt. A kitten with a broken neck, a bird of prey, and a dehydrated snake with a fractured spine are now teaching us a bit more about ancient Egyptian customs. These fascinating observations were made possible … Continued
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ScienceArchaeology‘Screaming Mummy’ Heart Attack Study Questioned by Scientists
Her unsettling, seemingly agonized facial expression gave this ancient Egyptian mummy the nickname “screaming woman.” A new analysis claims that this shocking pose is actually related to the woman’s cause of death, an apparent heart attack. But other scientists are skeptical, saying the open-mouthed scream likely only appeared well after the woman’s demise. With her … Continued
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Tech NewsGiz AsksWhich Ancient Medicines Turned Out to Be Real?
From the historical record, it would appear that the medical profession ca. ancient times was a death cult with a body fluid fetish, whose members passed the bulk of their workdays draining patients’ blood and/or slathering them with animal droppings. Of course, to fault them for getting it wrong would suggest that we’ve gotten it … Continued
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ScienceArchaeologyScientists Just Made a 3,000-Year-Old Mummy ‘Speak’
Have you ever wondered what an ancient Egyptian mummy would sound like if it could talk? A wild new scientific experiment has finally answered this burning question, but the result is perhaps less impressive (and certainly less ominous) than you might think. The sound of a vocal tract from a 3,000-year-old mummy has been recreated … Continued
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ScienceArchaeologyNew Evidence Suggests Ancient Egyptian Head Cones Were Real
For years, archaeologists have debated the existence of ancient Egyptian head cones. These objects are portrayed in Egyptian artworks, but not a single one has been found by archaeologists—until now. Ancient Egyptian head cones actually existed, according to a new paper published this week in the science journal Antiquity. The new research, led by archaeologist … Continued
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ScienceArchaeologyAncient Egyptian ‘Industrial Zone’ Uncovered in Luxor’s Valley of the Monkeys
The Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities has announced new archaeological discoveries in Luxor, highlighted by a remarkable “industrial zone” in which workers manufactured items for royal tombs. Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass, who headed the excavations, made the announcement on Thursday at a press conference in Luxor, reports Ahram Online. Khaled El-Enan, Egypt’s antiquities minister, along with … Continued
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ScienceArchaeologySee Inside the Newly Renovated King Tut’s Tomb
Years of steadily accumulating dust and grime had taken a toll on King Tut’s tomb, but a recently completed restoration project has revitalized the historic chamber, while making much-needed infrastructure improvements to prevent ongoing decay. It’s been nearly a century since British archaeologist Howard Carter first peered into the Tomb of Tutankhamun. Since then, the … Continued
