They placed a layer of natron beneath the leg on a pine board, covered it with more natron and a hood to mitigate fumes, then watched, waited, and measured the results. Rather than undergo a complicated organ removal, the scientists opted for a leg instead. For the other leg, they used a substance called natron, a soda ash and sodium bicarbonate mix that occurs in nature and was used for mummies by ancient Egyptians.Īncient Greek texts say that the ancient Egyptians used natron to dry and preserve bodies after removing organs from the dead, writes Lewis. They used a “dry heat” method to “naturally” mummify one leg. So, reports Lewis, they decided to try to create a mummy themselves.Īfter obtaining two fresh human legs from a cadaver donated to research, they conducted a comparative study. Recognizing the potential importance of a better understanding of mummification to disciplines like forensic medicine and bioarchaeology, the study’s authors wondered why few people have attempted to recreate the methods used by ancient Egyptians to mummify their dead. Now, reports LiveScience’s Tanya Lewis, a team of scientists has tried their hand at the old-fashioned embalming tactic by using Egyptian methods to mummify a fresh human leg.
Mummification isn’t exactly modern, but ancient Egyptian techniques for preserving corpses continue to fascinate archaeologists and scientists alike.
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