Noninvasive radiographic analysis of an Egyptian falcon mummy from the late period 664–332 BC

2008/09/01 by Lee W. Morgan, Susan McGovern‐Hoffman · 1 citation
Arts and Humanities · Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Paleopathology and ancient diseases #Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies #Forensic Entomology and Diptera Studies

paper · doi:10.1111/j.0908-8857.2008.04269.x

openalex publication_date 2008/09/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23

Abstract

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.

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