Application of CT imaging to humanistic studies: the case of an Egyptian cat mummy

Research on Ancient Egyptian animal mummies has grown in significance over past decades thanks to the accessibility of new medical imaging technology. In particular, computed tomography (CT) has shown an important role, allowing to find out the secrets hidden underneath the bandages of the mummies. The aim of this paper is to show the importance of CT imaging in the study of ancient Egyptian animal mummies, focusing in the particular case study of a cat mummy preserved at the Museo Etnologico Missionario di San Francesco di Fiesole (Firenze, Italy). Starting from an historical perspective on CT applications in the context of Egyptian animal mummies, this work describes both how the CT examination was performed and the extraordinary information, such as anatomical information and bioarchaeological parameters like sex, age-at-death, and pathological conditions that could be recovered from this imaging technique in this particular case. Moreover, through CT digital images a three-dimensional model of the mummy was created, moving towards an expansion of the museum experience thanks to Artificial Intelligence, virtual and augmented reality. This kind of model can also be 3D-printed. Concluding, this study highlights how this CT scan's power creates new possibilities for the scientific community and beyond, becoming an essential resource in humanistic studies.