The University of Jaén (UJA) has participated in a pioneering study that redefines the understanding of child mummification in Ancient Egypt. The research, published in the prestigious scientific journal 'International Journal of Osteoarchaeology', focuses on how embalming techniques applied to children evolved across different historical periods.

The study was based on high-resolution computed tomography (CT) analysis of two exceptionally well-preserved child mummies discovered at the Qubbet el-Hawa site in Aswan. The work, titled 'Two child mummies from Qubbet el-Hawa (Aswan, Egypt): A paleoradiological case-based study', involved an international team of researchers from Egypt, Spain, and Switzerland, including Alejandro Jiménez Serrano from the UJA.

The findings reveal significant differences in embalming techniques between the two mummies, despite their origin from the same archaeological site. The child from the Middle Kingdom showed limited procedures, characteristic of an early phase of these practices. In contrast, the mummy from the Late Period exhibited advanced techniques, such as excerebration (brain removal through the nose) and sophisticated body treatment with resins, methods previously documented mainly in adults from social elites.

These results provide radiological evidence that children could receive funerary treatments comparable to those of adults, challenging the traditional notion that child mummification was simpler. The research also identified unusual funerary elements, such as bead nets, faience jewelry, and shell amulets, suggesting a high social status and ritual protection for the minors.

The study highlights the importance of computed tomography as a non-invasive tool in bioarchaeology, allowing for detailed examination of ancient human remains without compromising their integrity. The findings offer valuable insights into childhood, social identity, funerary beliefs, and technological development in ancient Egyptian civilization.