Fingerprints identification on 3000 year old Egyptian mummies

Area of Science:

• Forensic Anthropology
• Archaeology
• Dermatoglyphics

Background:

• The Djehuty Project uncovered disarticulated mummified human digits from a reused burial chamber (UE165) in Dra Abu el-Naga, Luxor, Egypt.
• The remains were dated to the Twenty-Second Dynasty (945-715 BCE), offering a unique opportunity to study ancient human identification methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the dermatoglyphic features of ancient Egyptian mummified fingerprints.
• To assess the potential for using ancient fingerprints in forensic identification.
• To determine the contraction percentage of mummified digit tissue for accurate analysis.

Main Methods:

• High-resolution photography of five well-conserved mummified human digits (four fingers, one hallux toe).
• Analysis of main pattern types, delta types, minutiae, ridge density, and ridge breadth.
• Comparison with a contemporary mummified body to calculate tissue contraction percentages.

Main Results:

• Fingerprints from at least two individuals, likely sub-adult females, were identified.
• Estimated ages ranged from 10.62 to 16.25 years, with estimated heights between 135.87 cm and 162.60 cm.
• Delta and triradius types suggest potential ancestral origins in Nigerian and Romanian populations.

Conclusions:

• Ancient fingerprints, even 3,000 years old, can be analyzed with high precision, exceeding current forensic standards for minutiae.
• This research validates the use of ancient fingerprints for identification purposes.
• The findings contribute to understanding ancient populations and forensic science capabilities.