Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine

Original Articles

Age Estimation of Mummies by Dental Attrition: Application of Three-dimensional CT Images.: Kwang Ho Jeong, Han Kyeom Kim, Chang Lyuk Yoon, Seong Jae Lee, Seung Yeon Ha; Korean J Pathol. 2008;42(5):299-305.

Abstract PDF: BACKGROUND
Because of the rarity of mummies in Korea and the difficulty in obtaining samples from mummies, studies to determine the ages of mummies are uncommon in Korea. This study was performed to determine the ages of mummies using the information obtained by nondestructive methods to minimize damages to the mummies. METHODS: Three mummies excavated between 2002 and 2004 were used. Three-dimensional reconstructed images of the total teeth were obtained by CT scanning. The age at death was determined according to the 'Age Estimation Table of Dental Attrition' as developed by Takei. Three teeth were extracted from each of three mummies and examined grossly and microscopically by serial sections using the Gustafson-Johanson method. RESULTS: The ages at death of the three mummies estimated by the Takei method were 23.57 years (Yoon mummy), 51.01 years (Bong mummy), and 64.45 years (Black mummy). These results were similar to the ages determined by the Gustafson method. CONCLUSION: Age determination method using a CT scan and three-dimensional reconstruction may be a valuable method because it minimizes the damages to valuable mummies and it gives reliable data similar to that obtained by other standard methods.

Paleopathologic Analysis of a Mummified Pregnant Woman of Papyung Yoon's Family.: Woon Yong Jeong, Bong Kyung Shin, Chul Hwan Kim, Insun Kim, Woo Rim Kim, Kwang Sik Choe, Chang Sub Uhm, Juck Joon Hwang, Han Kyeom Kim; Korean J Pathol. 2004;38(6):394-400.

Abstract PDF: BACKGROUND
A mummy is a dead body of a human being or an animal that has been preserved artificially or naturally from decaying. Because the natural environment of Korea isn't appropriate for mummification and Korean people haven't artificially made mummies, mummies were rarely studied in Korea.
METHODS
On September 6, 2002, a well-preserved female mummy was found in the grave of a family in Kyunggi-do. She was submitted to a thorough autopsy examination along with the review of genealogical documents.
RESULTS
The mummy died in winter. She was pregnant and the fetal head was observed at the vaginal orifice. The uterine wall was ruptured, and the peritoneum was discolored, probably by hemorrhage. Histologically, the gastric mucosa was well preserved. On the smear cytology of gastrointestinal material and the fluid from the coffin, pollens and parasitic eggs were observed. The woman seemed to be death from hypovolemic shock due to uterine rupture during the 2nd phase of labor.
CONCLUSION
From this case, we concluded the causes of the woman's mummification included the cold and dry circumstance at the time of her death, and the thick mortared wall of the grave that completely isolated the body from the outside.

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