The agonizing death of the screaming woman's mummy

The enigma surrounding the anguished expression of an ancient Egyptian mummy, known as the Screaming Woman, may have been solved. Recent scientific analysis suggests that it may have died in extreme agony around 3,000 years ago, experiencing a rare phenomenon known as cadaveric spasm at the time of its death. This condition causes the muscles to stiffen, freezing them in the exact position at the moment of death. Although the cause of death is unknown, cadaveric spasms are often associated with violent deaths under intense physical and emotional conditions.

The haunting expression of the screaming woman has puzzled experts for almost a century. However, a new analysis using CT for a “virtual dissection” has revealed new details, challenging the previous theory that his tormented expression was due to poor embalming. Sahar Saleem, a professor of radiology at Cairo University who led the study, described the mummy as a “real time capsule” capturing the final moments of her life.

The Screaming Woman was discovered during a 1935 archaeological dig at Deir el-Bahari, near Luxor, Egypt, under the tomb of a renowned architect named Senmut. She was found in a wooden coffin, with her legs outstretched and her arms folded above her groin. She wore a black wig made of date palm fibers treated with crystals of quartz, magnetite, and albite, and two gold and silver beetle rings adorned the third finger of her left hand. Analysis revealed that her natural hair was dyed with henna and juniper, and she had lost or broken several teeth and suffered from mild spinal arthritis. The study suggested that he was approximately 5 feet tall and died at age 48.

Contrary to traditional methods of mummification, where the organs are usually removed, her organs were still intact, initially suggesting poor mummification. However, an examination of her skin revealed that she had been embalmed with juniper and frankincense, expensive items imported from Egypt. This, along with the mummy's well-preserved appearance, contradicts the traditional belief that the presence of its internal organs indicated poor mummification. The analysis was published in the journal Frontiers in Medicine.