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CT scan
When ancient Egyptians died, they weren’t the only ones mummified. Their parasites were too! Parasites are creatures that live in or on another being and cause harm, such as intestinal worms and head lice. Today scientists are studying mummy parasites to reveal what life was like in the past. Certain parasites “might infect people more easily depending on the jobs they did, or the part of the world in which they lived, or the kind of house they had, or what they ate,” says Piers Mitchell, an archaeologist from the University of Cambridge in England.
To study the mummies, researchers use microscopes, X-rays, high-tech CT scans, DNA analysis, and more. These tools can identify worms, lice, and even single-celled parasites that were also preserved during mummification. Some were more than 5,000 years old!
When ancient Egyptians died, they were preserved as mummies. But people weren’t the only ones mummified. Their parasites were too!
Parasites are creatures that live in or on another living thing. They usually harm their hosts in some way. Gut worms and head lice are two common types. Today, scientists are studying mummy parasites to reveal what life was like in the past.
Piers Mitchell is an archaeologist, or scientist who studies ancient people. He works at the University of Cambridge in England. Some parasites provide clues about how people lived, explains Mitchell. They “might infect people more easily depending on the jobs they did, or the part of the world in which they lived,” he says. They might also reveal what someone ate or what kind of home they lived in.
Researchers have many ways to study mummies. They use microscopes, X-rays, genetic testing, and more. These tools can also identify parasites. Some have been preserved for more than 5,000 years!