Scientists explain 3,000-year-old mystery of Egypt's ‘screaming mummy’

Researchers have identified the cause behind the facial expression of the ‘screaming woman,’ an Egyptian mummy discovered in Thebes in 1935. Using non-destructive techniques such as X-rays, CT scans, and scanning electron microscopy, scientists Sahar Saleem and Samia El-Merghani determined that the contorted expression likely resulted from a cadaveric spasm. This suggests the individual experienced severe pain or panic immediately before death.

The findings clarify that the expression was not the result of poor embalming practices. Evidence from the burial site, which included elaborate materials like imported resins and a wig fashioned from dyed date-palm fibers, indicates the woman received a lavish burial. While the cause of death remains unknown, the research highlights the sophistication of ancient Egyptian mummification. Future investigations will focus on why the woman’s internal organs were not removed during the process.