Radiological examination of the “Braided Lady”: A CT-based case study of an Egyptian mummy

The Braided Lady, an ancient Egyptian mummy previously examined through radiography, was subjected to a high-resolution multidetector CT with 0.625-mm slice thickness and multiplanar and 3-dimensional reconstructions to assess mummification techniques and explore potential causes of death within a cultural and medical context. CT analysis confirmed prior findings of well-preserved osseous and soft tissue anatomy, incomplete evisceration, and the absence of excerebration, consistent with mummification practices reserved for nonroyal elites of the New Kingdom. Dental wear and pathology were observed, likely reflecting the abrasive diet of ancient Egyptians, and unique dental findings suggested participation in the ''Opening of the Mouth'' ritual. No acute skeletal trauma or disease was evident; ambiguous findings of calcifications may indicate chronic parasitic infection, but no definitive evidence was found for infectious or metabolic disease as cause of death. Despite limitations posed by tissue desiccation and lack of historical records, this multidisciplinary radiological assessment advances our understanding of ancient Egyptian funerary practices and demonstrates the value of modern noninvasive imaging in reconstructing the lives and deaths of archeological individuals.