Animal mummies are being screened using synchrotron radiation at the University of Malta.

Among sectors that have reaped benefits of smart tech and sophisticated imaging mechanisms, space exploration, urban planning and archaeology have surged ahead thanks to remote sensing solutions, which are now being deployed to create digital twins of cityscapes or to replicate uncharted terrain. From deciphering dead sea scrolls or inscriptions in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, to unraveling mysteries about mummies without even touching the linen wrapped around them, artificial intelligence and advanced scanning tech have been shining a light on ancient mysteries in the Middle East.

In other parts of the world, solutions like LiDAR have allowed archaeologists to access ruins in remote regions, while virtual reality has managed to revive roman cities in the digital realm so that history buffs can remotely step back into the past via online portals. The latest piece of innovation that opens a window into one of the most fascinating chapters of Middle Eastern history, has surfaced in Malta where researchers have combined AI and 3D x-ray scanning to uncover details about Egyptian mummies.

With an aim of studying mummified corpses of animals from tombs in the North African nation, University of Malta has used microtomography, which works like a medical screening device, but creates high resolution 3D models, as opposed to run of the mill x-ray images. By generating a digital twin of the mummies by remotely scanning them while keeping the covering intact, the team has managed to dig deeper to figure out the ancient procedure, without the risk of damage to the body.

Visuals obtained using synchrotron radiation, highlight the volume of every object with precision, and thus introduce superior quality imaging into the archaeological process for enhanced research. Beyond the corpse, it facilitates the study of the fabric wrapped around it, the organic tissues, bones, balm and ceramics involved in mummification.

With the availability of AI to bring out every dimension of an object, the time taken and complexity of the procedure are considerably reduced, thanks to this technology.