First pregnant Egyptian mummy surprises researchers

CNN ^ | Published 30th April 2021 | Lianne Kolirin, •

[BenLurkin]

Wojtek Ejsmond, one of the three co-founders of the Warsaw Mummy Project, told CNN the mummy was first brought to Poland in 1826 by Jan Wężyk-Rudzki.

At that time it was believed to be a woman, but the view changed during the 1920s when an inscription on the sarcophagus was translated to reveal the name of an Egyptian priest, Hor-Djehuty. Though it belongs to the University of Warsaw, the mummy has been on loan to the museum since 1917 where it has been on display.

During the course of its research, the team revealed some interesting clues. Using computer tomography, which meant the mummy's bandages did not have to be removed, they found that the body had a delicate skeletal structure. More detailed analysis convinced the researchers the body was female as there was no sign of a penis. A 3D visualization of the body clearly showed long, curly hair and mummified breasts, according to the team.

One of the biggest questions the scientists have is why the fetus -- whose gender has not been determined -- remained in place as internal organs were routinely removed prior to mummification.

[BenLurkin]

[xp38]

So it’s a mummy mummy

[Ken H]

“I’m going to be a mummy!”

[knarf]

I like it ....

Kill mama .... keep the baby

[pepsi_junkie]

One of the biggest questions the scientists have is why the fetus -- whose gender has not been determined --

Thousands of years and the fetus still hasn't chosen a set of preferred pronouns? I guess we'll just have to refer to the fetus as 'them' or 'they'

[G Larry]

She’s overdue...

[Red Badger]

[Candor7]

Make no mistake about it. That necrophiliac would jump the mummy mummy is a New York second. His wife is barely alive.

[Richard Axtell]

Well, at least according to NARAL, a fetus is an “it”, isn’t it?

[DannyTN]

The researchers are all denying that they are the father.

[DannyTN]

Youtube Phineas and Ferb My Undead Mummy

[bgill]

At least they didn’t claim it was pregnant man.

[Carriage Hill]

They don’t even give the “it” status; it’s just a “clump of cells”.

[Mouton]

Did the x ray look like our current mummy dummy??

[Carriage Hill]

An exact replica. Right down to the hairplugs.

[exDemMom]

One of the biggest questions the scientists have is why the fetus -- whose gender has not been determined -- remained in place as internal organs were routinely removed prior to mummification.

Obviously, the ancient embalmers did not want to separate mother and child.

[Paperpusher]

internal organs were routinely removed prior to mummification but even in ancient Egypt they knew a fetus was not an internal organ.

[Carriage Hill]

The Femi-Nazis could learn from that. Not likely, since they worship abortion as a sacrament of satan.

[blueplum]

my guess: If she was full term, the mother would have had a shaved head as part of birth preparation. It makes sense the pre-term would remain inside the mother, who would know (or have said for her) the spells and Negative Confession rituals, to get both hearts past Ammat and the 42 judges, and be accepted into the presence of Osiris and Re. And so be able to secure spiritual life (the ba) for her infant in the afterlife, in line with ‘gather the family together’ of Egyptian beliefs.

Is it also an indicator that ancient Egyptians (or those surrounding mom, at least) believed the unborn had souls? Good for mom (or dad, who paid for the burial)

Great find.