Innovations in the study of ancient preserved man • 91 



Figure 2. Computer-generated image of mummified head. 

 (Photograph courtesy of P.K. Lewin, J.K. Stevens and J. 

 Trogadis) 



Figure 3. Computer-generated image of skull from mum- 

 mified head. (Photograph courtesy of P.K. Lewin, J.K. Ste- 

 vens and J. Trogadis) 



(Figure 4) (Lewin 1984) and from a naturally mummified 

 two-year-old infant from Naples (Fomaciari and Marchetti 

 1986). 



The above methods and the recent use of DNA hybridiza- 

 tion techniques are being used to determine the viability of at 

 least some of the genetic DNA content of ancient biological 

 remains. It is possible that infectious agents are still viable, 

 particularly viruses in ancient human and animal specimens 

 preserved in northern areas by permafrost. 



Literature cited 



Fomaciari. G., and A. Marchetti. 1986. Intact Smallpox Vims 

 Particles in an Italian Mummy of the XVI Century: An Immuno- 

 Electron Microscopic Study. Paleopathology Newsletter, 56;7- 

 12. 



Lewin, P.K. 1967. Palaeo-Electron Microscopy of Mummified 

 Tissue. A'amre. 2I3;416-417. 



1978. Whole Body Scan of an Egyptian Mummy Using 



X-Ray Computed Axial Tomography. Abstract of a paper pre- 

 sented to Paleopathology Association Meeting, April 1978. Pa- 

 leopathology Newsletter. 22:T7-8. 



1984. "Mummy" Riddles Unraveled. Microscopy Society 



of Canada Bulletin. 12:4-8. 



Lewin, P.K., and DC. Harwood-Nash. 1977. X-Ray Computed 

 Axial Tomography of an Egyptian Brain. International Research 

 Communication System. Medical Science, 5:78. 



Stevens, J.K., and J. Trogadis. 1986. Reconstructive Three Dimen- 

 sional Electron Microscopy. Analytical and Quantitative Cytol- 

 ogy and Histology, 8: 102- 107. 



Za^rfb Pateopatholony Symp. 1988 



Figure 4. Smallpox-like viral particle found on the mummy 

 of Ramses the Fifth (x 200,000) (Lewin 1984). 



SuiviMARV OF AUDIENCE DISCUSSION: The three-dimensional image 



generated by computcri7ed radiology is sufFicicntly accurate to be 

 usable tor forensic purposes especially in cases of only partial pres- 

 ervation of cranial bones. The value of preserving such images of 

 bones scheduled for interment is potentially enomious. The present 

 resolution of I ..S mm is expected to be reduced soon to 0.25 mm or 

 even lower, which would permit evaluation of such areas as the 

 pubic symphysis which are uniquely useful in paleopathology. A 

 good deal of ethnic variation remains to be included into the pro- 

 grams, after which it may be possible to create a reconstructed 

 image of the .soft tissue on the basis of a "skull-scan." 



