The histology of naturally desiccated and mummified bodies

Abstract

A study of different mummified tissues whose structures are strictly comparable to those of normal fresh tissues is reported in this paper. Among the tissues studied, the one that shows the best preservation is the ear cartilage. The data referring to the study of scalp tissue of 14 Egyptian mummies are also reported. In this tissue the preservation of red cells is evident in at least 50% of the specimens. Also reported are the preliminary results of the measurements made on Egyptian hairs, and histological examination on the shape of hair bulbs cross-section.