RESCUED FROM THE SANDS OF TIME - INTERESTING OTOLOGIC AND RHINOLOGIC FINDINGS IN 2 ANCIENT EGYPTIAN MUMMIES FROM THE ROYAL-ONTARIO-MUSEUM

Objective: Two mummified specimens from the Royal Ontario Museum both approximately 3500 years old were recently examined in the Ear Patholo gy Research Laboratory (EPRL) of the University of Toronto. High-resol ution computed tomography (CT) scanning of the ancient Egyptian mummif ied heads was undertaken with special reference to the nasal cavities, paranasal sinuses, anterior cranial fossae, and temporal bones. The e laborate ritual for the dead that was required to prepare for the afte rlife and our knowledge concerning the status of ear and nasal patholo gy in ancient Egypt is reviewed. Conclusion: As a result of this preli minary study, we believe we may have discovered a hitherto unrecognize d step in the formal process of mummification.