AMSC Research, LLC uses Amira Software to Understand Processes and Rituals of Egyptian Mummification

AMSC Research, LLC uses technology to help uncover visual aspects of the world's vanished past. With 15 years' experience in image-oriented investigation of artifacts, its director Dr. Jonathan Elias has consulted widely on the CT scanning of Egyptian mummies, 3D printing and the facial reconstruction of ancient people. The goal is to create attractive animations and sculptures which broaden educational experiences in museum settings. At the same time, such digital artworks are themselves the product of in-depth optical research accomplished using systems like Amira.

"Scanning is important, but it is really just the first step in an immersive exploration of artifacts" says Elias. Raw data from scans taken of mummies (or other archaeological subject matter) is delivered to AMSC Research as files in a language known as DICOM. Next, these are converted into a visually readable form for analytical purposes and to launch the creative modeling process.

Elias uses Amira software to analyze scan data. Mummies are biological entities, so apart from the usual forensic side of things (features having to do with skin and bone), they also have cultural elements that relate to their chronology and social significance. Culture is expressed in body wrapping, unusual textile structures, the distribution of resin and the patterning of amulets. Recent projects have included Sabina Malgora’s study of an anonymous Egyptian mummy in Meran, Italy, and the Milwaukee Public Museum’s mummies of Padiheru and Djed-hor. It was discovered that the latter underwent a surgical procedure known as trepanation.

Elias has come to favor the Amira system because of its intuitive design. It accepts large data sets quite easily, and furnishes a wide range of optical controls which are versatile and sensitive. These features greatly speed up the discovery process. It makes research so much more colorful and interesting, which translates into powerful teaching media.

AMSC Research, LLC is a visual analysis and design company. Its creative output serves the project needs of museums throughout the world.

About Amira & Avizo 3D Software

Amira and Avizo are high-performance 3D software for visualizing, analyzing, and understanding scientific and industrial data coming from all types of sources and modalities.

Images and text are courtesy of AMSC Research, LLC.