Modern research
Keku's mummy - x-rays
Dr Maarten Raven and Dr Wybren K Taconis, National Museum of Antiquities, Leiden, The Netherlands
X-rays have helped us determine a lot about Keku. We have confirmed that she was definitely female and was aged between 21 and 23 when she died. We also found out that there are no amulets inside her bandages. We don't know the specific reason for this absence but it could be that the positioning of amulets within linen wrappings was optional and depended on local customs, personal choice or financial status.
This is an x-ray of Keku's mummy
It reveals a lack of amulets inside her linen wrappings.
© National Museum of Antiquities, the Netherlands
Keku's mummy - CT scans
Dr Maarten Raven and Dr Wybren K Taconis, National Museum of Antiquities, Leiden, The Netherlands
We have determined more detail about Keku's mummy from CT (Computerised Tomography) scans. These show that both her heart and brain were not removed. It is quite unusual for Egyptian mummies to retain their brains. The fact that Keku still has hers could mean that although she had purchased an expensive mummification technique, perhaps it was not the best one available at the time, or that the embalmers took shortcuts.
This is a side view CT scan of Keku's body
The upper part of the thorax is empty and other cavities have been filled with sand or mud. The remains of the heart can also be seen. The bead net is visible on the surface of the wrappings.
© National Museum of Antiquities, the Netherlands
This is a side view CT scan of Keku's skull
The eye orbits are filled with plugs of linen coated with resin. The remains of her hair cover the top of her skull and traces of brain material still exist.
© National Museum of Antiquities, the Netherlands
Keku's name
Dr Maarten Raven and Dr Wybren K Taconis, National Museum of Antiquities, Leiden, The Netherlands
The translation of hieroglyphs has allowed us to read Keku's name and title that are written on her coffins, even though her name is sometimes written in different ways. It is likely that her name also appeared in other parts of her tomb. Names were important to the ancient Egyptians because they held the essence of a person. Having their name preserved and remembered would help the dead person survive in the afterlife.
Keku's name
Hieroglyphs of Keku's name which could be written two different ways
