An Egyptian mummy that appears to be screaming probably died an agonising death, experts have concluded.

In 1935, the body of a mysterious woman was discovered underneath a tomb at Deir Elbahari near Luxor, the site of ancient Thebes.

She was found in a burial chamber beneath the burial site of Senmut, the architect and overseer of royal works, and reportedly the lover of the queen Hatschepsut, who lived from 1479-1458 BCE.

When the mummy was unwrapped, her mouth was found to be wide open, giving the appearance that she was screaming.

It was initially thought the expression was the result of a sloppy embalming process which occurred because the woman had not been important. Usually embalmers would close the jaw and seal it with bandages.

Embalmed in expensive oils

Initial examinations also showed that her organs had not been removed, which, coupled with the open mouth, led experts to the conclusion she had not been worthy of full embalming.

However, a new analysis by Cairo University has found that she had been embalmed in expensive imported oils of frankincense and juniper, while her wig had been treated with quartz, magneтιтe, and albite crystals, suggesting she was of high status.

The tomb of the pharaoh Tutankhamun also contained frankincense and juniper.

“The mummy’s screaming facial expression in this study could be read as a cadaveric spasm, implying that the woman died screaming from agony or pain,” said Dr Sahar Saleem, a professor of radiology at Kasr Al Ainy Hospital of Cairo University.

Cadaveric spasm is a rare form of muscular stiffening, typically ᴀssociated with violent deaths under extreme physical conditions and intense emotion.

Experts believe the woman was mummified quickly after death before her jaw relaxed, leaving embalmers unable to close her mouth as usual.

A ‘time capsule’ of death

“The Screaming Woman is a true ‘time capsule’ of the way that she died and was mummified,” added Dr Saleem.

“Here we show that she was embalmed with costly, imported embalming material.

“This, and the mummy’s well-preserved appearance, contradicts the traditional belief that a failure to remove her inner organs implied poor mummification.”

Experts believe it is likely she was an important relative of Senmut, whose fate is unknown. He left public life abruptly during Hatchepsut’s reign and despite planning two elaborate tombs for himself, was not buried in either.

In the new study, radiographers used CT scans to “virtually dissect” the screaming mummy and estimate her age, health, and state of preservation.

The tests showed she was around 48 when she died and just over 5ft tall. There was no obvious cause of death.

The presence of osteophytes, or bone spurs, on her vertebrae indicated she had mild arthritis of the spine.

She lacked several teeth, which were probably lost before death as there was evidence of bone resorption, which occurs when a tooth comes out and the socket is left to heal. Other teeth were broken.

The mummy showed no embalming incision, which was consistent with the discovery that the brain, diaphragm, heart, lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys, and intestine were still present.

The classic method of mummification in the New Kingdom (1550–1069 BCE) included the removal of all such organs except the heart.

The woman was buried in a painted wooden coffin and wore two scarab rings in silver and gold.

The research was published in Frontiers in Medicine.