Radiographic Studies of the Inca mummies found on Mount Llullaillaco

CARLOS PREVIGLIANO, CONSTANZA CERUTI, JORGE PASTRANA Y MARCELINA MATOS MOLINA

Nuuk, Groenlandia

Congreso; IV Congreso Mundial de Estudios de Momias; 2001

Greenland National Museum and Archives and Danish Polar Center

One of the first steps of the investigation of the frozen Inca mummies from mount Llullaillaco was to use radiological methods to evaluate the state of preservation of the internal organs, the possible cause of death, nutritional condition and pathology. The mummies outstanding state of preservation offer a unique opportunity for comparative diagnosis by non-invasive and non-destructive methods such as CT scans and X-rays. Radiological studies have proved to be valuable tools for examining mummies, which offer distinct advantages over the older methods of unwrapping followed by autopsy. The CT scans and X-rays performed on the Llullaillaco mummies are a pioneer experience in the paleoradiology of prehispanic frozen bodies. This investigation is a pioneer contribution to the field of radiological studies in Andean prehispanic frozen mummies. Paleoradiology has helped us to evaluate the state of preservation of the internal organs, the possible cause of death, the nutritional condition and pathologies. Because of the external appearance and the extraordinary condition of the internal organs, the  frozen bodies of Llullaillaco could be among the best preserved mummies known.