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Brain-removal tool left in mummy's skull

Posted on Saturday, 15 December, 2012 | Comment icon

15 comments | News tip by: the L

Image credit: Jon Bodsworth

Researchers have discovered a tool used by ancient Egyptian embalmers within the skull of a mummy.

The removal of the brain was a common step in ancient Egyptian mummification techniques however it is rare for the embalmers to have left a tool such as this behind after the procedure was completed. The tool was discovered through the use of CT scans designed to examine the interior of the resin-filled brain cavity. An endoscope was then used to take a closer look.

"We cut it with a clamp through the endoscope and then removed it from the skull," said lead researcher Dr. Mislav Cavka. "It almost definitely would have been used in excerebration [brain removal] of the mummy."

"A brain-removal tool used by ancient Egyptian embalmers has been discovered lodged in the skull of a female mummy that dates back around 2,400 years."

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Source: Live Science

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Recent comments on this story

#6 Posted by the L on 15 December, 2012, 19:30

I believe that they also removed all the organs as well prior to mummification. Egyptology isnt my field there is another members here with far greater knowledge then mine. But it was a long time ago when I was in Egypt and as I remembered we have one Student who study to become Egyptologist from Slovenia who told us that they used special vases for special organs. I dont know much about mummication process. Here are some of those vases from museum in Zagreb. http://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/gallery/images/5814/zagreb-museum http://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/gallery/images/5813/zagreb-m... [More]

#7 Posted by Simbi Laveau on 15 December, 2012, 19:44

Just a guess ,but given the small boney holes they had to work with ,I'm betting instruments got stuck ,so they just left them there . I would say its more likely than they forgot it .

#8 Posted by Simbi Laveau on 15 December, 2012, 19:46

Just a guess ,but given the small boney holes they had to work with ,I'm betting instruments got stuck ,so they just left them there . I would say its more likely than they forgot it . Egyptology isnt my field there is another members here with far greater knowledge then mine. But it was a long time ago when I was in Egypt and as I remembered we have one Student who study to become Egyptologist from Slovenia who told us that they used special vases for special organs. I dont know much about mummication process. Here are some of those vases from museum in Zagreb. http://www.unexplained-mysterie... [More]

#9 Posted by lightly on 15 December, 2012, 19:53

.. uh, has anyone seen my brain scooper? .. oh well , let's finish up and go get a beer.

#10 Posted by the L on 15 December, 2012, 20:07

Just a guess ,but given the small boney holes they had to work with ,I'm betting instruments got stuck ,so they just left them there . I would say its more likely than they forgot it . The canopic jars . They were for specific organs,and buried with the mummy .,inside the tomb . http://www.ancienteg...tory/page7.html There you go. Thanks Simbi.

#11 Posted by Sundew on 15 December, 2012, 20:19

I could make a comment about ancient Egyptian lawyers and malpractice suits, but I digress.....

#12 Posted by Joe2112 on 15 December, 2012, 21:53

Must of been done on a Friday.

#13 Posted by King Fluffs on 16 December, 2012, 8:28

I bet that must have been unusual to see.

#14 Posted by wolfknight on 17 December, 2012, 13:12

Damn that had to hurt. bet that mummy had a headache lol

#15 Posted by MistressBear on 8 January, 2013, 14:23

Egyptology isnt my field there is another members here with far greater knowledge then mine. But it was a long time ago when I was in Egypt and as I remembered we have one Student who study to become Egyptologist from Slovenia who told us that they used special vases for special organs. I dont know much about mummication process. Here are some of those vases from museum in Zagreb. http://www.unexplain...4/zagreb-museum http://www.unexplain...3/zagreb-museum http://www.unexplain...2/zagreb-museum Those with animal caps such as Horus vase. The jars are called canopic jars. They were used to hold... [More]

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