Sobre momias y momificaciones: febrero 2012

miércoles, 29 de febrero de 2012

Examen de la momia de Ka-i-nefer

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artículo sobre la momia
ATF agents, the Nelson-Atkins and others collaborate to unearth the secrets of an Egyptian mummy

This summer, The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, a prominent local cardiologist, and an Egyptian anthropologist have all taken part in a unique collaboration to unearth the secrets of the Museum’s 2,500-year-old Egyptian mummy.

The discoveries, the most prominent of which is a sketch of what the man underneath the wrappings actually looked like, will be revealed to the public in a special presentation today at 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. in the Museum’s Atkins Auditorium. (The program is free, although tickets must be reserved through the Museum’s website.)

The findings were unveiled recently at a Museum press conference attended by ATF deputy director Kenneth Melson, as well as Nelson-Atkins curator of ancient art Robert Cohon and Mid America Heart Institute cardiologist Dr. Randall Thompson. “Today, what we’re celebrating is the marriage of art and science,” new Museum director Julian Zugazagoitia said in his opening remarks, the first to the press since beginning his tenure earlier this month.

Indeed, the collaboration seems rather farfetched, almost like something out of an old X-files case. “It’s a bit of CSI and art,” Zugazagoitia remarked, in another T.V. reference. The scientific look at the mummy actually began at the prompting of Dr. Thompson, who was part of a team that examined the CT scans of 20 mummies housed in the Museum of Antiquities in Cairo, Egypt. The group was looking for evidence of heart disease in ancient Egyptians.

Eventually, Dr. Thompson was invited to examine the CT scans and X-rays of the Nelson-Atkins museum, and it was then that he reached out to the ATF for its expertise in composite renderings. “This project really highlights the intersection of forensic science, medicine, art and more uniquely, law enforcement,” said deputy director Melson. ATF Special Agents Sharon Whitaker and Robert Strode used the agency’s EFIT—Electronic Facial Imaging Technique—a computerized composite rendering system, to develop a sketch of the ancient Egyptian man.

Robert Cohon, the always passionate curator of ancient art at the Nelson-Atkins, spoke about the Museum’s motivation in having their mummy—which they acquired from Emory University in 2004 and named Ka-i-nefer, which means, “my vital life force is good”—examined so closely. “Well, first of all, our staff is very curious,” he said. “[Through radio-carbon dating] we were able to come up with a rough date of 525 to 332 B.C. [for the mummy’s death]…It was then that we had the good fortune of meeting Dr. Thompson. And he said ‘Do you mind if I take a look at the X-ray and CAT scans of your mummy?” And we said ‘Please do.’

“He did, and he started coming back with some really cool information, including shoe size. But more than that, he said, ‘Heck, why don’t I introduce you to some people in the ATF? They can help you reconstruct the face.’ And we said ‘Sure, bring them in.’ It was another piece of the puzzle.”

The image that the ATF Special Agents came up with is a rather stark one, with dead, almost criminal eyes, which seems almost appropriate considering the EFIT program renders images for law enforcement purposes. In life, Ka-i-nefer lived to be 45 to 55 years old, stood about 5 feet five inches and wore a size seven shoe (or sandal). He had unusually good teeth and was probably closer to an elite status, although his exact position in society is unknown.

Deputy director Melson pointed out the difficulty in obtaining all of this information. “It’s unlike the typical case…This is where there were no eye witnesses, there were no early photographs of the person for age progression purposes. There were no skulls or other parts to use because, remember, this individual was wrapped in linen.”

The mummy is displayed along with many other Egyptian artifacts, including a stunning coffin and funerary collection, in the Museum’s new Egyptian galleries, which reopened last May. For more information on Ka-i-nefer, and all of the Museum’s treasures, visit their website.

http://www.examiner.com/cultural-events-in-kansas-city/atf-agents-the-nelson-atkins-and-others-collaborate-to-unearth-the-secrets-of-an-egyptian-mummy

http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/hash/55/a8/55a8ee268bd34ac58725745476d223be.jpg

An X-ray of the Nelson-Atkins 2,500-year-old mummy Ka-i-nefer
Photo: courtesy Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Mummy's Secrets No Longer Under Wraps Fovia's High Definition Volume Rendering(R) Provides Unparalleled Clarity in Three Dimensions

PALO ALTO, CA and EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND, Feb 23, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Two thousand years ago, using state-of-the-art mummification techniques, a mummy was entombed in the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes. Now, using state-of-the-art High Definition Volume Rendering(R) software from California-based Fovia, Inc. to virtually unwrap the artifact, National Museums Scotland together with a team of radiologists and a forensic pathologist from Edinburgh University has learned a great deal about this wrapped female mummy, who died when she was in her mid-to-late twenties.

The mummy, known as the Rhind Mummy, was discovered by Alexander H. Rhind, a 24-year-old Scottish Egyptologist who brought her back to Scotland in 1857. Rhind, a brilliant scholar known for his systematic work, left the contents untouched, which was unusual during the time of "Mummy Mania" when mummy unwrappings were common. He was critical of so-called "archaeologists" whom he claimed indulged in little more than looting by unwrapping mummies, as it destroyed the carefully preserved relics. Given his non-destructive philosophy, it's likely that Rhind would have appreciated how scientists today, using high resolution CT scans and Fovia's HDVR(R) Connect software, have gained new forensic insights into the ancient practice of mummification through the lens of the world's most advanced imaging technology.

"Having the chance to view the Rhind Mummy in three dimensions is amazing in its own right, but having the chance to view her with Fovia's software brings a new level of clarity and depth to the viewing experience, allowing for more accurate analysis and interpretation," said Dr. Jim Tate, head of conservation and analytical research at National Museums Scotland. Fovia creates an unbelievable view of the mummy, with intricate details down to the concealed ornamentation that has lain unseen for more than two millennia. In fact, HDVR Connect helps reveal that some of the surface amulets have hidden -- and perhaps more valuable -- "twins" below the wrappings.

The team discovered astonishing details about the mummy without ever having to unwrap the delicate bandages that preserved the body and hid many amulets. They found a metal disc on her stomach, an amulet on her skull, and a scroll being clutched in her right hand -- likely to be a funerary text that combines directions for mummification with guidance for the afterlife, and probably contains the mummy's lineage and name.

Rhind wrote that the mummy was "a handsome specimen of the style of ornamenting externally, by means of inlaid or impressed emblems of gold and coloured vitreous composition." Now, with Fovia's HDVR Connect software, scientists have learned how the body was prepared for eternity, including the locations and textures of the internal amulets as well as those that had been placed on her body during the intricate wrapping process. Fovia's fly-through movie virtually unwraps the mummy, providing a breathtakingly detailed and lifelike view of her in 3D without being disruptive to the original embalming.

Fascinating Mummies opened February 11, 2012 at the National Museum of Scotland, and features Fovia's 3D fly-through movie of the Rhind Mummy next to the actual mummy. The exhibition examines death and afterlife in ancient Egypt and includes a spectacular array of Egyptian items from National Museums Scotland and Rijkesmuseum van Oudheden in Leiden, the Netherlands. To see images and the movie, visit www.fovia.com .

About Fovia, Inc. Fovia has developed High Definition Volume Rendering(R), a CPU-based, advanced visualization technology platform that delivers unparalleled quality, performance, scalability and flexibility. Fovia's innovative HDVR(R) solution successfully overcomes the inherent limitations of other currently available imaging technologies, thereby enabling local, enterprise-wide and web-based volumetric rendering with affordable, off-the-shelf computers.

Fovia's flagship product, HDVR(R) Connect, is a software-only, advanced visualization solution that includes all of the key attributes required by today's vendors and their customers: performance, quality, scalability, anytime/anywhere image access, cost-effectiveness and flexibility. With HDVR Connect, OEM vendors can deliver unrivaled image quality and uncompromised performance, both locally and remotely, in 2D, 3D and 4D advanced volume visualization applications.

For additional information and to learn more about commercial, academic or research licensing, visit www.fovia.com .

Contact Information: Fovia, Inc. Shay Kilby P: 866.3D.FOVIA or 415.290.1717 F: 650.618.2797 E: shay.kilby@fovia.com

About National Museums Scotland National Museums Scotland is the largest multi-disciplinary museum group in Scotland, with four million items in its collections and the largest body of curatorial and conservation expertise in the country. Today, the group includes:

-- National Museum of Scotland (formerly the Royal Museum and the Museum
of Scotland)
-- National Museum of Flight
-- National War Museum
-- National Museum of Rural Life
-- National Museum of Costume.

For further information please contact: Hannah Dolby or Bruce Blacklaw, National Museums Scotland Press Office or email h.dolby@nms.ac.uk or b.blacklaw@nms.ac.uk, t. 0131 247 4288.

Contact Information:
Fovia, Inc.
Shay Kilby
P: 866.3D.FOVIA or 415.290.1717
F: 650.618.2797
E: Email Contact

Hannah Dolby or Bruce Blacklaw
National Museums Scotland Press Office
Email Contact or Email Contact
t. 0131 247 4288

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/mummys-secrets-no-longer-under-wraps-2012-02-23

Momias de Khnum-Nakht y Nekht-Ankh II

plano de la tumba

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Excavaciones de Petrie en la mastaba de Nianj-Jnum y Jnumhotep (Khnum-Nakht y Nekht-Ankh )

http://www.ancient-egypt.co.uk/manchester/pages/excavation_by_w_m_flinders_petri.htm

El artículo se titula:

Excavation by W M Flinders Petrie at Der Rifeh in
Tomb of the two brothers, Khnum-Nakht and Nekht-Ankh
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modelo de barco encontrado en su tumba

Estatuillas encontradas en la tumba
estan en el Museo de manchester

--- artículo---
Coffins of Khnum-Nakht and Nekht-Ankh
The tomb of two brothers, Khnum-Nakht and Nekht-Ankh, was discovered by a workman called Erfai, under the supervision of British Egyptologist Ernest Mackay, during official excavations by Sir William Flinders Petrie (1852-1942) and the British School of Archaeology.

The contents of the burial site were passed to the Manchester Museum where they were studied initially by Margaret Murray in 1908 and more recently by Professor Rosalie David in 1979. The two brothers came from Der Rifeh in Middle Kingdom Egypt and lived during the 12th Dynasty (about 1985-1773 BC). Their burial site is the finest non-royal tomb found in that area.

The wooden coffin of Khnum-Nakht held the body of a negroid man. It has eyes of limestone and obsidian inserted in the bronze rim. It may seem strange that his coffin has a white face, but this is symbolic rather than how he really looked. White was the colour of purity, whilst black signified new life and resurrection. The coffin of Nekht-Ankh has a face which is painted black, although it held the remains of Khnum-Nakht's non-negroid brother.

The chances are that, as today, people in the north of Egypt would have been lighter-skinned than those from the south. In addition, the higher your status in ancient Egypt, the less likely you would be to work in conditions exposed to direct sunlight. A lighter skin tone may have been seen as a status symbol, indicating that you did not have to earn a living by labouring.

Western history has traditionally argued that European culture developed from non-black, Indo-European models. This has been challenged in recent years, with some historians arguing that Greek civilisation was heavily influenced by ancient Egypt, a black African culture. One difficulty that researchers still face, however, is the lack of written evidence about pre-colonial Africa and the challenge of interpreting oral history.

http://www.revealinghistories.org.uk/legacies-stereotypes-racism-and-the-civil-rights-movement/objects/coffins-of-khnum-nakht-and-nekht-ankh.html

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dejo un link sobre la tumba,( está en inglés) . En el link se hace un recorrido virtual y se muestran imagenes con un comentario sobre las mismas.
http://www.egyptology.com/niankhkhnum_khnumhotep/floorplan.html

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Momias de Khnum-Nakht y Nekht-Ankh

Esta foto la tomé en Saqqara, es la tumba de estos dos personajes
http://www.ancient-egypt.co.uk/index.htm

The
Two
Brothers
Discovered by Flinders Petrie and the British School of Archaeology in 1907 at Rifeh in Middle Egypt.

The tomb of the two brothers, Khnum-Nakht and Nekht-Ankh, was discovered by a workman called Erfai, working under the supervision of British Egyptologist Ernest Mackay in the course of official excavations directed by Sir William Flinders Petrie (1852-1942), within the British School of Archaeology.

The contents of the burial site were passed to the Manchester Museum where they were studied by Margaret Murray (1908) and more recently by Prof. Rosalie David (1979). The two brothers came from Der Rifeh in Middle Egypt and originate from the 12th Dynasty (c.1985-1773 BC).

Their burial was the finest non-royal tomb found in that area.

Left - Body coffin of Khnum-Nakht. Wooden coffin held the body of the Negroid brother. The eyes of limestone and obsidian are inserted in a bronze rim.

Right - body coffin of Nekht-Ankh. Coffin has a face which is painted black, although it held the remains of the non-Negroid brother.
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Unwrapping the 'Two Brothers'

Both Professor Flinders Petrie and Dr. Margaret Murray, the first Egyptologist at the Manchester Museum, were convinced that only by continued study of the objects, which included the mummies themselves, would the efforts of archaeologists be enhanced. So in 1908, in a large lecture theatre in Manchester University before a capacity audience, Dr. Margaret Murray unwrapped the mummies of the 'Two Brothers'. This was an important development in scientific investigation, for it involved a multi-disciplinary team. These specialists - in the fields of anatomy, chemistry and textiles - subsequently carried out a full-scale investigation of the mummies.

There is comparatively little evidence of mummification from the Middle Kingdom (c.1900 BC) and the bodies that have been examined show that there was generally less painstaking preparation than in the Old Kingdom. The internal organs were removed, but less attention was given to the preservation of the body. Usually a thin cost of resin was applied to the skin surface, and this left the drying out of the body incomplete, so that decomposition soon set in. Although great care was often lavished on the outward appearance of the mummies, inside there is usually only a jumble of bones with little or no evidence of soft tissue.

The mummies of the 'Two Brothers' are particularly interesting because the difference in their condition is very striking. At the tine of unwrapping, the mummy of Khnum-Nakht was absolutely dry, whereas the remains of Nekht-Ankh were quite moist and most of the bandages were wet.

Khnum-Nakht
The mummy of Khnum-Nakht is a good example of the poor standard of preservation achieved in the Middle Kingdom. There was very little remaining skin tissue and most of the remnants resolved into a fine powder at the unwrapping. Also, no special care had been taken to preserve his nails.

At the original investigation Khnum-Nakht was alleged to have a deformity of the left foot, with skin and tissue thickening indicating a clubfoot (talipes varus). Later radiological studies have not revealed any evidence of arthritis or secondary bone change in the foot which might have been anticipated in a long-standing congenital deformity. The present study supports the theory that the findings are due to excessively tight bandaging after death rather than to a clubfoot.

Khnum-Nakht's spine shows evidence of long-standing arthritis with abnormal curvature (scoliosis) in the thoracic region. Inspection of the teeth has revealed an extremely rare developmental abnormality - double gemination (fusion of the teeth); the two central teeth are abnormally large and the left one has two roots.

Skeleton of Khnum-Nakht shows he probably reached early middle-age and that the skull is negroid. There is almost a complete lack of similarity between this skeleton and his bother's. His teeth have a double gemination (fusion of the teeth), the two central teeth are abnormally large and the left one has two roots.

Nekht-Ankh
The mummy of Nekht-Ankh was better preserved, although the body had fallen to pieces before unwrapping, the bones were intact and in position. Even some hair remained, and the embalmers had wrapped the nails of the fingers and toes with thread to prevent their loss during the process of mummification. The appearance presented by this skeleton is suggestive of its being a eunuch, aged about sixty at time of death. Only Nekht-Ankh had a set of canopic jars and only two jars in the set had contents. These were identified as the liver with the gall bladder attached, and lung tissue to which adhered part of the wall of the heart. Examination revealed that Nekht-Ankh had suffered from pleurisy, and also from sand pneumoconiosis which may have been responsible for his death.

The report into the anatomical finding begins with the observation that there was a "remarkable racial difference in the features presented by each. These differences are so pronounced that it is almost impossible to convince oneself that they belong to the same race, far less to the same family. The appearance presented by the skeleton of Nekht-Ankh is suggestive of its being a eunuch. On first inspection of the bones at this skeleton the writer was much struck with their slimness, delicate moulding, and the faintness of the muscular impressions; indeed, their female character proved to be so pronounced that at first it was difficult to be sure that the skeleton was really that of a male. The pelvis was reunited and proved to have all the characteristics of a male".

When the two skulls were re-examined in the 1970s, with the help numerous radiological photographs it was found that there was almost a total anatomical difference between the features of the two.

At the original investigation Khnum-Nakht was alleged to have a deformity of the left foot, with skin and tissue thickening indicating a clubfoot (talipes varus). Later radiological studies have not revealed any evidence of arthritis or secondary bone change in the foot which might have been anticipated in a long-standing congenital deformity. The present study supports the theory that the findings are due to excessively tight bandaging after death rather than to a clubfoot.

Khnum-Nakht's spine shows evidence of long-standing arthritis with abnormal curvature (scoliosis) in the thoracic region. Inspection of the teeth has revealed an extremely rare developmental abnormality - double gemination (fusion of the teeth); the two central teeth are abnormally large and the left one has two roots.

Skeleton of Khnum-Nakht shows he probably reached early middle-age and that the skull is negroid. There is almost a complete lack of similarity between this skeleton and his bother's. His teeth have a double gemination (fusion of the teeth), the two central teeth are abnormally large and the left one has two roots.

Nekht-Ankh
The mummy of Nekht-Ankh was better preserved, although the body had fallen to pieces before unwrapping, the bones were intact and in position. Even some hair remained, and the embalmers had wrapped the nails of the fingers and toes with thread to prevent their loss during the process of mummification. The appearance presented by this skeleton is suggestive of its being a eunuch, aged about sixty at time of death. Only Nekht-Ankh had a set of canopic jars and only two jars in the set had contents. These were identified as the liver with the gall bladder attached, and lung tissue to which adhered part of the wall of the heart. Examination revealed that Nekht-Ankh had suffered from pleurisy, and also from sand pneumoconiosis which may have been responsible for his death.

The report into the anatomical finding begins with the observation that there was a "remarkable racial difference in the features presented by each. These differences are so pronounced that it is almost impossible to convince oneself that they belong to the same race, far less to the same family. The appearance presented by the skeleton of Nekht-Ankh is suggestive of its being a eunuch. On first inspection of the bones at this skeleton the writer was much struck with their slimness, delicate moulding, and the faintness of the muscular impressions; indeed, their female character proved to be so pronounced that at first it was difficult to be sure that the skeleton was really that of a male. The pelvis was reunited and proved to have all the characteristics of a male".

When the two skulls were re-examined in the 1970s, with the help numerous radiological photographs it was found that there was almost a total anatomical difference between the features of the two.

The inscriptions on the coffins states that Khnum-Nakht was a 'Great Waab-priest' of the local god Khnum and both his father and grandfather bore the title of local mayor - although nether is named. The inscriptions referring to Nekht-Ankh are rather different. He is referred as the son of an unnamed local major but his paternal grandfather is not mentioned. However, the men were sons of the same woman. Aa-Khnumu, who was an heiress of landed property?

This slight variation in the inscriptions, taken in conjunction with the men's marked anatomical differences, may indicate that their mother had two husbands, and that the father of Khnum-Nakht possessed Nubian ancestry. During much of Egypt's history, there was a certain mingling of the peoples of Nubia with those of Egypt at all levels of society. However, it is accepted nowadays that a child may well inherit a marked similarity to one of his parents while having no resemblance at all to the other. This could well be the case with the two brothers, and one had the usual appearance of an Egyptian while the other had inherited the characteristic Nubian features.

Another possibility, and equally likely explanation of this difference in appearance, is that Nekht-Ankh was adopted into the family at a very early age, and having been a member of it for so many years, had become accepted as the son of Aa-Khnumu. Future DNA studies on samples of tissues or bone taken from these bodies may provide an answer to the question of their relationship. Professor Rosalie David (OBE, FRSA, Professor of Biomedical Egyptology at the University of Manchester) confirmed in Nov-2004 that work is being pursued on the Two Brothers but no DNA studies have yet been undertaken.

Khnum-Nakht

Khnum-Nakht

Nekht-Ankh

Facial Reconstruction
The reconstruction of the heads of Nekht-Ankh and Khnum-Nakht was undertaken to enable the skeletal remains to be related more easily to the brothers as they may have appeared during their lives.
The skull is the matrix upon which the head and face we built. If the shape of the soft tissue can be rebuilt on a skull, the result will be a reconstruction which the proportion and position of the main, features will be accurate. By utilising measurements of soft issue thickness, as established by Kollman end Buchly in 1898, the features of these two mummies were built up in clay on casts of the skull.

Nevertheless the details of certain areas - nose. mouth and ears - are open to speculation. Both Nekht-Ankh and Khnum-Nakht showed a marked similarity to the two small wooden statuettes, which were found in the tomb.

The objective was to produce pictures using the clay busts as models. A sketch of Khnum-Nakht (left) was made - he would seem to have been a man with strong features all somewhat Negroid in appearance. The other shows Nekht-Ankh (right) as an older man of about 60 years (it is known that he had short grey hair). His features are weaker than his bother with less well-defined features.

Khnum-Nakht

nekht_ankht

Khnum-Nakht Manchester Museum

Nekht-Ankh

Facial Reconstruction
The reconstruction of the heads of Nekht-Ankh and Khnum-Nakht was undertaken to enable the skeletal remains to be related more easily to the brothers as they may have appeared during their lives.
The skull is the matrix upon which the head and face we built. If the shape of the soft tissue can be rebuilt on a skull, the result will be a reconstruction which the proportion and position of the main, features will be accurate. By utilising measurements of soft issue thickness, as established by Kollman end Buchly in 1898, the features of these two mummies were built up in clay on casts of the skull.

Nevertheless the details of certain areas - nose. mouth and ears - are open to speculation. Both Nekht-Ankh and Khnum-Nakht showed a marked similarity to the two small wooden statuettes, which were found in the tomb.

The objective was to produce pictures using the clay busts as models. A sketch of Khnum-Nakht (left) was made - he would seem to have been a man with strong features all somewhat Negroid in appearance. The other shows Nekht-Ankh (right) as an older man of about 60 years (it is known that he had short grey hair). His features are weaker than his bother with less well-defined features.
Translation and Transliteration
Body Coffins

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foto de los dos esqueletos, fuente imagen: egiptologia.com
Todavía no hay ninguna noticia de los estudios realizados con el AND de las dos momias de Nekht-Ankh y Nknum-Naknt,
Según un informe en el que se recogen as investigaciones realizadas con los dos cuerpos, se observa que Khum-Naknt murió a mediana edad, padecia de pleuresía y era de raza negra.
La momia de Nekht-Ankh, está mejor conservada y por la estructura de su cuerpo ,indican que fue un eunuco. Murió a los 60 años de edad , mas o menos. Y no pertenece a la raza negra.
Si realmente fueron hermanos, cosa que demostrarán las pruebas de ADN, pueden ser hijos de la misma madre y haber tenido padres distintos, o quizás hubo una adopción, o simplemente eran amantes

Escena del banquete en la tumba

Khnumhotep está sentado n la mesa y sostiene la flor de loto. Los trazos del dibujo de la esposa de Niankhkhnum pueden verse claramente.

sábado, 25 de febrero de 2012

La momia de isis

foto del Instituto de Estudios Científicos en Momias, IECIM

foto del Instituto de Estudios Científicos en Momias, IECIM

Se comentaba en algunas publicaciones que la momia de Isis correspondia a una hija de Ramses II
Parece ser que a a esta momia no se le han hecho pruebas de ADN por lo que posiblemente no es hija de Ramses II.
Esta es una noticia de elpais donde hablaban de la momia
Un egiptólogo español localiza la momia de una hija de Ramsés II en Madrid
JACINTO ANTÓN, - Barcelona - 13/09/1995

La momia de una hija del gran faraón, Ramsés II, la princesa Isis, sacerdotisa en el templo del dios Amén en Tebas, permaneció durante años arrinconada detrás de una pizarra en un aula de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid, acompañada por momias más recientes. Así lo afirma el egiptólogo español Esteban Llagostera, que ha rastreado durante años el paradero de la momia -llevada a España desde Egipto en 1884 por el catalán Eduard Todá, entonces cónsul general en el país del Nilo-, y la ha localizado finalmente en ese humilde paradero. La momia está totalmente desnuda, sin vendas ni ningún elemento de su ajuar funeranio original.

Llagostera, que acaba de presentar el hallazgo en el congreso internacional de egiptología celebrado estos días en Cambridge, asegura que no hay duda sobre la identificación de la momia, aunque, dijo ayer a este diario, su investigación va a proseguir. "La momia pasó 111 años en Madríd, olvidada, nadie sabía de su importancia", señaló. El científico comenzó, su búsqueda en 1976, cuando realizaba un estudio radiológico de las momias del Museo Arqueológico Nacional de Madrid y encontró la ficha de Isis con la anotación "San Carlos". Según los registros del museo estaba perdida. La momia, averiguó Llagostera, había sido presentada como espectacular atracción en la ceremonia inaugural del aula magna del Hospital San Carlos. Todà llevó allí el ataúd cerrado y lo abrió en presencia de numerosas autoridades, procediendo a retirar la máscara, funeraria de cartón pintado y a cortar las vendas de la momia, que fueron troceadas y los pedacitos repartidos entre los asistentes. El ataúd, de cedro policromado, y los cartonajes se han perdido, pero Todá los documentó y dejó constancia del nombre de Isis y su rango, que figuraban en el ajuar.

La princesa Isis
La princesa Isis era "cantora en el templo de Amón en Tebas", un destino -servir como sacerdotisa- común a las mujeres de la alta nobleza egipcia. La momia, procedente de Akhmin o Ajmin -la antigua Apu-, en el Egipto Medio, al sur de Asiut, fue entregada a Todá en circunstancias poco claras y se ignora dónde estaba exactamente la tumba. La relación con Akhmin, de donde era originaria Nefertari, la esposa principal de Ramsés II, hace pensar que Isis pudiera ser hija de esta gran reina. La princesa, según los estudios hechos a la momia por Llagostera, murió a causa de una tuberculosis, a los 13 o 14 años. El egiptólogo ha pedido una muestra de ADN de la momia de Ramsés II al Museo Egipcio de El Cairo para compararlo con el que ha obtenido de la momia de la princesa. Ramsés II tuvo más de un centenar de hijos con sus reinas y favoritas. Actualmente está siendo investigada en el Valle de los Reyes la tumba KV 5, que parece ser una inmensa sepultura colectiva de hijos del gran faraón.

enlace noticia:

http://www.elpais.com/articulo/cultura/EGIPTO/UNIVERSIDAD_COMPLUTENS

martes, 7 de febrero de 2012

Científicos secuencian el genoma del Homínido de Denísova a partir de un fósil

J.J. Veslasco

En marzo de 2010, un equipo del Instituto Max Planck de Antropología Evolutiva de Leipzig (Alemania) anunció el hallazgo de los restos de una nueva especie de homínido desconocido hasta la fecha. El descubrimiento, efectuado en unas cuevas de Siberia (las cuevas Denísova en los montes Altai), puso sobre la mesa la existencia de una especie en áreas en las que también vivían neandertales y homo sapiens (hace entre un millón y 40.000 años). Casi 2 años después del hallazgo, el equipo científico dirigido por Svante Pääbo ha anunciado que, a partir de un trozo de hueso de un dedo, han sido capaces de secuenciar el genoma completo de este homínido al que se llamó Homínido de Denísova.

A partir de 10 miligramos del hueso de un dedo del homínido hallado del que se pudo extraer ADN, el equipo ha sido capaz de desarrollar una técnica que le ha permitido secuenciar el genoma del Homínido de Denísova mucho más rápido y con mayor precisión. De hecho, este no es el primer proyecto de secuenciación del genoma de este homínido que aborda este equipo científico puesto que, en el año 2010, fueron capaces de obtener la secuencia del 60% del genoma del homínido de Denísova que, aunque les permitía establecer relaciones entre los neandertales y los homo sapiens, no ofrecía la resolución suficiente como para poder estudiar la evolución experimentada en partes concretas del genoma.

Para que su esfuerzo vaya más allá de un artículo científico, el equipo ha decidido publicar el trabajo en la red para que toda la comunidad científica pueda utilizar su trabajo como base de futuras investigaciones.

Creemos que a muchos investigadores estos datos les podrán ser de utilidad en su investigación. […] Aunque presentaremos un documento con estas investigaciones, queremos que sea algo que esté a libre disposición de todo el mundo desde ahora mismo.

¿Y ahora qué? Según el equipo del Instituto Max Planck de Antropología Evolutiva de Leipzig, la publicación del genoma del homínido de Denísova abre la puerta a que biólogos y antropólogos puedan estudiar los cambios genéticos que provocaron que, por ejemplo, los homínidos salieran de África y se distribuyesen por todo el mundo hace unos 100.000 años además de posibilitar un estudio en mayor profundidad de la propia historia de los homínidos de Denísova y los neandertales.

El hallazgo, de por sí, es bastante interesante pero el hecho de que hayan publicado su investigación en la red y ésta esté disponible para todo el que quiera acceder es un hecho muy significativo que pocas veces, desgraciadamente, podemos ver.
http://alt1040.com/2012/02/genoma-hominido-denisova-fosil

domingo, 5 de febrero de 2012

Nueva técnica en 3D para identificar cadáveres

Rosa M. Tristán | Madrid
Científicos de la Universidad de Granada han 'remozado' la antigua técnica de identificación de cadáveres que consiste en comparar el cráneo que se encuentra con una fotografía hasta conseguir que sea tan fiable, y mucho más económica, que las pruebas de ADN.

El sistema, reconocen los investigadores, había caído en desuso porque se quedó obsoleto. Tras cinco años de trabajo, Fernando J. Navarro Merino, del Departamento de Medicina Legal de Granada, ha logrado localizar y digitalizar los puntos que sirven de referencia tanto en los cráneos como en las imágenes, desarrollando una metodología que permite realizar identificaciones en no más de una hora gracias a un escáner en tres dimensiones.

Hasta ahora, los puntos de referencia que se tienen en cuenta para analizar un cráneo no se corresponden totalmente con los de la piel o los ojos, lo que dificulta saber cómo eran los individuos cuando estaban vivos. Navarro Merino utilizó una muestra de 500 personas de origen mediterráneo, haciendo tomografías en 3D y comparando los puntos de los huesos craneales con los de los rostros.

Análisis barato y fiable

Descubrió así que la relación entre ellos no era perpendicular, como se ha pensado hasta ahora, sino en ángulo. "Son esos vectores, su dirección, sentido y distancia, los que dan fiabilidad a las mediciones", explica a ELMUNDO.es.

"Se trata de un análisis mucho menos costoso que los estudios genéticos de ADN, y adémás es rápido y fiable. Y, en todo caso, sirve para hacer descartes previos a los genéticos, lo que supone un ahorro", argumenta.

Los 500 participantes se escogieron de una muestra de estudios tomográficos (TAC) de los hospitales de Castilla-La Mancha, con los que tiene un acuerdo la Universidad de Granada. Los científicos crearon una base de datos con las coordenadas en 3D tanto de los puntos craneales como los faciales y obtuvieron los vectores.

Para ver si la técnica funcionaba, hicieron un escáner en 3D del cráneo de un indiviudo fallecido y crearon un modelo virtual sobre el que localizaron y marcaron todos los puntos craneales (craneométricos), haciendo lo mismo en la fotografía de esta misma persona que facilitó la familia.

Los resultados fueron excepcionales. De hecho, ya se ha patentado el 'software' de la nueva técnica y países como México, donde hay un alto número de delitos en los que hay que identificar a las víctimas, ya han mostrado un gran interés. De hecho, el equipo ya está pensando en buscar los 'vectores' de otras poblaciones humanas, dado que varían según el grupo humano.

Navarro Merino señala que para que la técnica tenga éxito debe conservarse el cráneo entero, pero precisamente esta es una de las partes del cuerpo más duras, por lo que suelen estar en buen estado.

En España, también podría ser de utilidad para los que ahora están buscando a familiares que fueron asesinados durante la Guerra Civil, muchos de ellos enterrados en fosas comunes donde hay un revoltijo de huesos. El alto coste de los análisis de ADN ha sido, precisamente, uno de los problemas con los que se han encontrado los descendientes interesados en enterrar a sus muertos.

La investigación, presentada como tesis por Navarro Merino, ha sido dirigida por los profesores Miguel C. Botella López, Inmaculada Alemán Aguilera y Sergio Damas Arroyo.
http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2012/02/04/ciencia/1328359995.html

viernes, 3 de febrero de 2012

The Forensic Oral Pathology Journal

http://www.ijsa.syllabapress.com/issues/articles/ijsa00024.html

Enfermedades Genéticas representadas en el Arte Cerámico de la Cultura Prehispánica Tumaco-La Tolita II" por C.A. Rodríguez, C. Isaza y H. Pachajoa. International Journal of South American Archaeology 4: 30-37 (2009

The Forensic Oral Pathology Journal - FOPJ
www.fopj.syllabapress.com
The Forensic Oral Pathology Journal - FOPJ (eISSN 0239-8741) publishes scientific papers on well designed and controlled original research involving forensic oral pathology, reports on unusual and interesting case presentations peer-reviewed. The purpose of the ejournal is to stimulate debate on and...

Traité de médecine légale

http://www.archive.org/stream/traitdemdecinelg32orfi#page/n6/mode/1up

"Traité de médecine légale" Vol. III-2, par M. Orfila (1848)

http://www.archive.org/stream/traitdemdecinelg32orfi#page/n6/mode/1up

Traité de médecine légale / par m. Orfila
www.archive.org
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