which allows a detailed visualization of the bone and dental state of the subject (Figure 4.6). The individual shows complete maturation of the long bones (fused conjugation cartilages), closure of the spheno-occipital synostosis and complete calcification of the third molars, indicating an age of over 20 years. The symphyseal pubic articular surfaces are relatively difficult to study in 3D because of the presence of fibrous cartilage. However, a not completely fused nucleus on cross-sectional images (Figure 4.6(c)) suggests an age of less than 40 years (Suchey and Brooks 1986). This age category is consistent with low dental attrition, seen even on the first molar (Figure 4.6(e)).
Figure 4.5. Examples of images of the mummy obtained from CT imaging. (a) Views from above and below. (b) Left profile views, and sagittal sections progressively shifted to the right profile, according to the application of various color filters. Images: (a) © Dr. S. Mérigeaud MD/Tridilogy; (b) © Dr. C. Bou
CT images are consistent with the presence of a penis, but structures at this level are difficult to recognize. Coxal bone measurements allow for a “probabilistic sexual diagnosis” based on a known global sex reference corpus (Murail et al. 2005). Of the 10 coxal bone measurements proposed by the method, six10 could be taken from the scanned images, classifying this specimen as “male” with a probability of 0.99. The maximum length of the humerus (317 mm), tibia (371 mm) and femur (463 mm) were measured. Based on femur length, which is best correlated with overall stature, their height is between 1.71 and 1.75 m, according to regressions based on current populations (Trotter and Gleser 1958; Cleuvenot and Houët 1993).
4.3.2. Osteo-dental status
There are no acquired skeletal abnormalities. The bone is not altered and there is no sign of arthrosis. However, there is a congenital transitional anomaly of the lumbosacral spinal hinge, commonly seen in modern populations: a lumbarization of the first sacral vertebra (S1) giving the impression that there are six lumbar vertebrae instead of five (Figure 4.7). The osteodental pathologies detected through imaging are the three carious lesions present on the contact faces between the upper left first molar (distal face) and second molar (mesial face) (Figure 4.6(c)) and on the lower left third molar.
Figure 4.6. Osteo-dental condition of mummy MNHN-HA-30187
COMMENT ON FIGURE 4.6.– (a) General view of the skeleton in anterior view after CT image processing. (b) Axial section and (c) 3D virtual reconstruction of the articular surface of the symphysis pubis. (d) General view of the dental arches. (e) Photograph of the maxillary teeth. (f) Detailed CT section of the caries present on the upper left molars 1 and 2. Images a, f and e: © Dr. C. Bou; images b, c and d: © Dr. S. Mérigeaud MD/Tridilogy
4.3.3. Internal organs
The soft tissues are well preserved externally and internally, except for the brain which is not visible. Only the dura mater is present inside the skull and the spinal canal (Figure 4.8(a)). The soft parts of the face and neck are also present (soft palate, tongue, larynx) (Figure 4.8(b)). At the thoracic level, the trachea, lungs, heart and diaphragm are clearly visible (Figures 4.9(a) and (c)). The presence of mediastinal and pulmonary calcifications (Figure 4.9(d)) is suggestive of tuberculosis. It could also be granulomatosis. The abdomen and pelvis show visceral structures that are difficult to recognize (possible mesentery), apart from the liver and kidneys (Figures 4.9(e) and (f)), which are atrophic due to dehydration.
Figure 4.7. Coronal section and 3D reconstruction of the lumbosacral junction, showing the transitional anomaly. Images © Dr. S. Mérigeaud MD/Tridilogy
Figure 4.8. (a) Sagittal and (b) axial sections showing intracranial and intraspinal dural remains and preservation of oropharyngeal-laryngeal soft tissue. Images © Dr. S. Mérigeaud MD/Tridilogy
Figure 4.9. Chest CT images. (a) Coronal section of the trachea [tr.]. (b) Coronal section of the lungs [pm.]. (c) Sagittal section of the heart [co.]. (d) Axial section of the thorax: mediastinal and pulmonary calcifications [*]. (e) Axial section of the liver [fo.]. (f) Coronal section of the two kidneys [re.]. Images: © Dr. S. Mérigeaud MD/Tridilogy
4.3.4. Archeoentomology
External examination of the mummy revealed multiple traces of activity of necrophagous insects. Although visible on a large part of the body, these stigmata are mainly located on the lower limbs and the perianal region. However, to a lesser degree, similar marks can be seen on the collar region and the face. These circular perforations result from the action of the digestive juices of dipteran larvae (flies), which have consumed part of the muscles, viscera and skin. Close examination of various parts of the body, especially the thighs and the perianal region, reveals the presence of a large number of extremely well preserved puparia11, attributable to a single species of Calliphoridae fly (Figure 4.10(a)).
Figure 4.10. Location of Calliphoridae diptera puparia (red arrows) (a) on the left thigh of the mummy (photo: © J.B. Huchet), and (b) in the abdominal region, internal view. Image: © Dr. C. Bou
In parallel, CT examination of the abdomen revealed the presence of innumerable thin-walled oval structures with aerial contents of identical size in the abdominal cavity (Figure 4.10(b)). These structures are unmistakably related to puparia of necrophagous Diptera and indicate an internal colonization of larvae that pupated in situ.
From a taxonomic point of view, the conformation of the puparia (notably the arrangement of the taste buds and the shape of the respiratory stigmata) indicates that they correspond to immature stages of Calliphoridae diptera (Chrysomyinae), a “pioneer” family of flies of forensic interest, which lay eggs on corpses in the moments following death. Morphologically, these puparia are similar to those of the genus Compsomyiops Townsend, 1918 (Figure 4.11). This taxon, mostly neotropical, has six species, three of which are found in Peru (Gonzalez-Mora et al. 1998). Unlike most of the synanthropic Calliphoridae flies used in forensic science for estimating the postmortem interval (PMI), species of the genus Compsomyiops show a strong preference for environments little or not influenced by human activities (i.e. asynanthropy) (Figueroa-Roa and Linhares 2002; Mariluis et al. 2008).
Greenberg and Szyska (1984), who studied the biology and ethology of two species found in Peru (Compsomyiops verena (Walker) and C. arequipensis (Mello)12), attest that the lifecycle of C. verena (egg to adult) varies between
