CT Scans Reveal Last Meal of Ancient Egyptian Crocodile Mummy After 3,000 Years

When you think of Egyptian mummies, images of mummified humans in glass cases or Hollywood’s eerie depictions might come to mind. However, it may surprise you that ancient Egyptians also preserved millions of animals.

In a recent study, researchers uncovered fascinating details about a mummified crocodile using CT scans. The scans provided insight into the animal’s final moments and how it was preserved. The crocodile, measuring 2.23 meters, is part of the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery’s collection in the UK. Researchers from the University of Manchester examined the mummy at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital in 2016.

X-rays and CT scans revealed small stones, known as “gastroliths,” in the crocodile’s digestive tract. Crocodiles often swallow these stones to aid digestion and regulate buoyancy. The presence of these stones suggests that the embalmers did not remove the internal organs during mummification. Additionally, the scans showed a metal fish hook and a fish inside the crocodile, indicating it was likely captured using baited hooks—a technique mentioned by the Greek historian Herodotus.

Crocodiles were mummified in large numbers as offerings to Sobek, the god of the Nile, symbolizing protection against evil. While some smaller crocodiles were likely raised in captivity for this purpose, larger ones were probably captured from the wild and quickly mummified due to the increased danger they posed.

This study highlights how modern technology is uncovering new information about ancient practices, offering a glimpse into the mysterious rituals of ancient Egypt.