The Secrets of Tomb 10A: Egypt 2000 BC

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Rita Freed Rita Freed
John F. Cogan Jr. and Mary L. Cornille Chair, Ancient Egyptian, Nubian, and Near Eastern Art, MFA
Lawrence Berman Lawrence Berman
Norma Jean Calderwood Senior Curator of Ancient Egyptian, Nubian, and Near Eastern Art, MFA
Denise Doxey Denise Doxey
Curator, Ancient Egyptian, Nubian, and Near Eastern Art, MFA
Nicholas Picardo Nicholas Picardo
Curatorial Research Associate, Ancient Egyptian, Nubian, and Near Eastern Art, MFA
Pamela Hatchfield Pamela Hatchfield
Robert P. and Carol T. Henderson Head of Objects Conservation, MFA
Gwynne Ryan Gwynne Ryan
Assistant Conservator, Objects Conservation, MFA
Harco Willems Harco Willems
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium
Rajiv Gupta Dr. Rajiv Gupta
Neuroradiology, Massachusetts General Hospital

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Q: During the mummification process, did ancient Egyptians really pull the deceased’s brain out of the nose?

A: Yes, they did, but this practice was uncommon prior to the Middle Kingdom. The mummy from Tomb 10A is one of the earliest examples to have the brain removed through the nose. The embalmers actually made two holes for the removal of the brain: one through the nose and another at the base of the skull in back.

- Denise Doxey

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