Description
This paper presents some results of the ongoing investigation into the 40 plus skulls of the Manchester Elliot Smith skeletal collection. This particular collection is an assembly of skeletal remains, some of which were excavated by the First Archaeological Survey of Nubia, which operated for 4 seasons between the years 1907 and 1911.Whilst briefly mentioning the project, the focus of the paper is on craniology and analytical investigations into residues associated with the skulls.
Comparison of the various skull markings with those listed in the original excavation records (The first Archaeological Survey of Nubia 1907-11) has been able to identify five of the skulls as being Nubian C-Group. A non metric visual assessment of the non-marked skulls suggested that there were others that could be Nubian. By means of multivariate statistical analyses these skulls were compared with series of known Nubian and Egyptian skulls. Using a series of multiple discriminant functions, based on cranial measurements, the indication is that a further 5 skulls were Nubian. Despite the era of genetics it is suggested that this technique may still have value as a first approach to identification of ethnic background, especially in view of the cost and practicalities of obtaining accurate DNA data.
In the second part of the part of the paper the analytical techniques of light and electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy and GC-MS were used to investigate residues associated with the skulls. Perhaps the most interesting find was the presence of a man-manipulated fat (rather than resin) deposited inside one of the skulls. Suggestions as to why this material was introduced into the skull in antiquity will be considered.
| Period | 16 Mar 2009 |
|---|---|
| Event title | 1st Bolzano Mummy Congress - Mummies and Life Sciences |
| Event type | Conference |