Neutron tomography of sealed copper alloy animal coffins from ancient Egypt

Animal mummification was commonplace in ancient Egypt, with the remains of many animals placed inside statues or votive boxes with representations of animals or hybrid human-animal creatures. Votive boxes were made from a variety of materials and often sealed; some boxes are still preserved in this state in museum collections. A prior study of sealed copper alloy votive boxes from the collection of the British Museum used X-ray computed tomography to search for animal remains, where poor image quality resulted due to attenuation from the boxes and apparent dense metals inside. In this study, neutron tomography was applied to six of the votive boxes previously examined. Animal remains, likely from lizards, and fragments of textile wrappings were discovered inside three of the boxes. Evidence of the manufacturing process and subsequent repairs of the boxes were uncovered by neutrons. Significant quantities of lead were also identified in three boxes. The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of neutron tomography for the study of mummified remains inside sealed metal containers, and give evidence linking the animal figures represented on top of votive boxes to the concealed remains.

Automated summary

Animal mummification was common in ancient Egypt, with animal remains often placed inside statues or votive boxes. A previous study using X-ray computed tomography on sealed copper alloy votive boxes resulted in poor image quality. This study used neutron tomography to examine six votive boxes and found animal remains and textile fragments inside three boxes. The study also uncovered evidence of the manufacturing process and repairs of the boxes, as well as significant quantities of lead. The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of neutron tomography for studying mummified remains in sealed metal containers.