[LOOK] Warsaw Mummy Project Reveals Portrait of Egyptian 'Mysterious Lady' Through Facial Reconstruction

Forensic scientists reveal the face of the world's first pregnant ancient Egyptian mummy.

The Warsaw Mummy Project is composed of a group of archaeologists from the University of Warsaw and was established in 2015. The group aims to examine human and animal mummies from ancient Egypt thoroughly.

The group posted the two viral portraits of the infamous "Mysterious lady" on their Facebook page. The facial reconstruction was done through CT scans and X-rays, according to Live Science. Italian forensic anthropologist Chantal Milani, however, clarifies that the result is not the exact portrait but only a render based on the mummy's bone structure.

History of Ancient Egyptian 'Mysterious Lady'

The Warsaw Mummy Project started researching the "Mysterious Lady" in 2021. However, the mummy was first found way back in the early 19th century by archaeologists inside a sealed sarcophagus belonging to a male priest, according to Phys.

The mummified woman was wrapped in fabric and left with a set of amulets that ancient Egyptians believed they would be able to take as riches into the afterlife.

After a team of Polish researchers conducted a CT scan of the body, the researchers discovered evidence of a fetus inside her stomach, which had been found 'pickled like a gherkin', thus labeling the body as the first pregnant ancient Egyptian mummy. Republic World reports that the "Mysterious Lady" may be between 20 to 30 years old and believed to have died 28 weeks into her pregnancy, with its fetus mummified together with its mother.

Additionally, the Daily Mail recently reported in July that the "Mysterious Lady" was discovered to have died from nasopharyngeal cancer while pregnant based on unusual markings in the skull.

Warsaw Mummy Project on Facial Reconstruction Technology

Through CT scans and X-rays, forensic specialists of the Warsaw Mummy Project were able to conjure two different interpretations of the facial reconstructions of the mummy. Both images of the female mummy's likeness featured a dark-skinned woman with brown eyes.

Co-director of the Warsaw Mummy Project Wojciech Ejsmond revealed the techniques used to interpret the facial structure despite its mummification for centuries.

"Modern techniques enable us to perform a virtual autopsy of the mummy," Warsaw Mummy Project Co-director Ejsmond explained. "We can look under the bandages and inside her body. For the first time her face will be [revealed] to the general public and everyone will be able to look at her face."

Additionally, Ejsmond emphasized that the Warsaw Mummy Project's mission was much more than just uncovering ancient Egyptian discoveries but also as a way for the public to connect with its history on a personal level.

"For many people, ancient Egyptian mummies are museum curiosities," Ejsmond said. "We would like to rehumanize them and show them as once living, feeling and loving persons, whose deaths were tragedies."

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Written by: Andi C.