New Insights into the “Screaming Woman” Mummy from Luxor
- Recent evidence suggests that the 'Screaming Woman' mummy died in pain, raising questions about her cause of death.
- She is believed to be related to Senmut, an architect from the reign of Queen Hatshepsut.
- These findings add to the mystery surrounding both the mummy and Senmut's final years.
Recent research has shed new light on the “Screaming Woman” mummy, a figure that has intrigued viewers for nearly a century due to her haunting open-mouth expression. Dr. Sahar Saleem, a radiologist from Cairo University, and anthropologist Samia El-Merghan presented findings suggesting that the woman may have died in a state of extreme distress. Their study, published in the journal *Frontiers in Medicine*, utilized advanced CT scans to explore the circumstances surrounding her death. The researchers proposed that the mummy's facial expression could be attributed to cadaveric spasm, a phenomenon that occurs during intense physical or emotional experiences. They estimated that the woman, who stood approximately 5-foot-1, died at the age of 48. While the study provided compelling insights, it also noted that the appearance of mummies can be influenced by various factors, including burial practices and post-mortem changes. Contrary to previous theories suggesting negligence in the embalming process, the researchers found no evidence of poor mummification techniques. Instead, they highlighted the quality of the funerary practices, which included the use of a wig, jewelry, and high-quality embalming materials, indicating that the mummy was well-preserved. The cause of death for the “Screaming Woman” remains a mystery. Discovered between 1935 and 1936 near the tomb of Senmut in Luxor, she is believed to be a relative of the tomb's occupant and is currently housed at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.