Top image: The ancient mummy of a noblewoman.

In the unfolding discovery at Saqqara, an ancient Egyptian mummy, dating back two and a half millennia, was unveiled. Archaeologists, in anticipation, examined the coffin of a noblewoman. What immediately struck them was the strange bump in her body. This unusual feature raised questions about her life. Using an X-ray machine, Dr. Mustafa Waziri, the excavation director, aimed to unravel the mystery. The X-rays, however, revealed a peculiar positioning of her hands, twisted across her stomach. This unconventional posture piqued curiosity, as most mummies had their hands neatly arranged by their sides or across their chest. The subsequent X-rays uncovered more secrets about her health.

It exposed a curvature of the spine, known as scoliosis, and uneven legs.  These physical deformities hinted at a life marred by a painful and perhaps terminal illness, such as polio. While her physical ailments might have made her existence arduous, the immaculate preservation of her painted coffin spoke volumes about her status. She was cherished by her family, reflecting the significance of the nuclear family among the Egyptian elite. This noblewoman's X-rayed story shed light on the complexities of her life, a life hidden behind the sands of time.