Discover the anatomy of the mummies: how imaging techniques contribute to understanding disease in the past

Mummies are the well-preserved remains of humans or animals in which non-bony tissue has been maintained naturally or artifi cially. Th eir signifi cance lies in their contribution to paleopathological research, which involves understanding the history and evolution of diseases and providing insights into past populations’ cultural and social practices. In recent years, mummies studies used nondestructive methods, including modern imaging techniques, to assess the main pathological features of these unique human remains. Th is mini-review focuses on the role of paleoradiology in mummies’ studies and describes the history of mummy radiography and CT scanning over the last fi ft een years. Th e search strategy was conducted between January and April 2023. One thousand one hundred twenty-four records (1124) were initially identifi ed, and 52 studies were assessed for qualitative synthesis. Th ree main themes and four subthemes were identifi ed, providing a general overview of the role of paleoradiology or off ering methodological guidelines. Also, subthemes assessed the role that the use of radiology has in the diagnosis of specifi c pathologies. Th erefore, imaging techniques in ancient human remains might help understand the history and evolution of past and present diseases and their risk factors.