Mummified Human Remains from Early Modern Period to Present – Decay Process, Burial Customs and Ethical Challenges

Part of: Society for Historical Archaeology 2017

Mummification is not just a part of burial traditions in ancient Egypt as it also occurs as a natural process under right ambient conditions. Mummified human remains can be found in various geographical locations with wide climatic and temporal spectrum. For this session we would like to receive papers related to mummification as a process including the effects of burial customs. The emphasis is on the naturally mummified human remains from medieval or younger time periods.

The main research questions are: 1) what kind of climatic and environmental conditions have positive contribution for the mummification process? 2) What is the role of external factors such as funerary attire or post-mortem treatment of the remains on the decay or mummification of individual? 3) What novel techniques are utilized when mummification process and mummified remains have been studied? 4) What kinds of ethical or scientific challenges are encountered while researching mummified remains?

Other Keywords
Mummification • bioarchaeology • Preservation • Paleopathology • Material Culture • Textiles • Ethics • Legislation • Mummies • Parasites

Temporal Keywords
Early modern • XVII/XIX century • c. 1600-1850 • Early modernity (c. 1560 - 1629) • Ancient world and Middle Ages

Geographic Keywords
Europe (Continent) • Western Europe • Finland • Republic of Finland (Country) • Turku Ja Pori (State / Territory) • Ahvenanmaa (State / Territory) • Vaasa (State / Territory) • Oulu (State / Territory) • Kymi (State / Territory) • Mikkeli (State / Territory)