An investigation of the post-mortem status and mummification practices of avian votive mummies in ancient Egypt
Animals were viewed in ancient Egypt as pets and food; and as religious avatars,divided into cult and votive types (Ikram, 2005a). Research indicated that votivemummies were constructed in two types: true, those which contained skeletalremains; and pseudo, and those which contained non-skeletal remains. Avianremains were particularly prevalent as votive offerings, although no focus on thefollowing aims had previously been ventured: 1) mummification materials andmethods used; 2) how these may indicate status; 3) how to predict which mummies contain true or pseudo remains based on their external appearance. A study group of 120 mummies identified as containing avian remains weresubjected to radiography (115) and light microscopy (5) to understand the aboveresearch aims. Variables were designed to understand the treatment of avian remainsin three stages: prior to and during mummification, and as a mummy bundle; andwere statistically tested against the external appearance of the bundle, to determine the connection between the contents and its container. The first two variables demonstrated much information regarding the thought-processes applied to the avian remains to create âcompleteâ skeletal remains in
Atherton, Stephanie
An investigation of the post-mortem status and mummification practices of avian votive mummies in ancient Egypt. Animals were viewed in ancient Egypt as pets and food; and as religious avatars,divided into cult and votive types (Ikram, 2005a). Research indicated that votivemummies were constructed in two types: true, those which contained skeletalremains; and pseudo, and those which contained non-skeletal remains. Avianremains were particularly prevalent as votive offerings, although no focus on thefollowing aims had previously been ventured: 1) mummification materials andmethods used; 2) how these may indicate status; 3) how to predict which mummies contain true or pseudo remains based on their external appearance. A study group of 120 mummies identified as containing avian remains weresubjected to radiography (115) and light microscopy (5) to understand the aboveresearch aims. Variables were designed to understand the treatment of avian remainsin three stages: prior to and during mummification, and as a mummy bundle; andwere statistically tested against the external appearance of the bundle, to determine the connection between the contents and its container. The first two variables demonstrated much information regarding the thought-processes applied to the avian remains to create âcompleteâ skeletal remains in
investigation post_mortem status mummification practice votive mummy ancient_egypt animals view ancient_egypt food religious divide cult votive type indicated construct two_type true pseudo contain non skeletal_remains particularly prevalent votive_offering although focus aim previously venture mummification material use may indicate status predict mummy contain true pseudo remain base external appearance study group mummy identify contain remains light_microscopy aim variables design treatment stage prior mummification mummy bundle statistically test external appearance bundle determine connection content container first_two variable demonstrate much_information regard thought processes applied remain create complete skeletal_remains