Details of ancient Egyptian ritual revealed in scan of mummified crocodile’s stomach
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Reported by Science Alert:
In the guts of an ancient mummified crocodile, researchers have discovered a telltale bronze hook.
Up to 3,000 years ago, the 2.2-meter (7.2-foot) long crocodile died before it had even begun to digest a fish found intact around the hook in its stomach.
The human-made object and state of the carefully preserved animal suggest it was deliberately caught in the wild and processed as an offering to the Egyptian crocodile god, Sobek.
Luckily, the ancient Egyptians who prepared the croc's body for mummification didn't remove its guts, as was common practice for human mummies. This allowed a UK team of researchers to reveal what was frozen in time inside.
"Whereas earlier studies favored invasive techniques such as unwrapping and autopsy, 3D radiography provides the ability to see inside without damaging these important and fascinating artifacts," explains University of Manchester archaeozoologist Lidija McKnight.
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