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Electron microscopy in paleopathology
Micron and Microscopica Acta, Vol. 16, No. 3, pp. 201—202, 1985. Printed in Great Britain.
0739—6260/85 $3.00 + 0.00 © 1985 Pergamon Press Ltd.
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY IN PALEOPATHOLOGY J. M. Riddle Research Electron Microscopy Lab., Henry Ford Hosp., Detroit, Michigan
ABSTRACT Electron microscopy was used to examine the surface topography and ultrastructural details of a variety of samples obtained from both Egyptian and Peruvian mummies. KEYWORDS Electron microscopy; ultrastructure; transmission electron microscope; scanning electron microscope; paleopathology; Egyptian mummy, Peruvian nlurmly bundle; ancient blood cells; ancient textiles, insects. INTRODUCTION A wide range of specimens obtained during autopsies of ancient bodies such as various tissues (bone, lung, liver, hair and peripheral blood) as well as textiles, insects and, plant material are suitable for study by electron microscopy. ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC FINDINGS Utilizing materials collected from autopsies on three separate Egyptian mummies (PUM II, 170 B.C.; PUM III, 835 B.C., PUM IV, 2nd century A.D.) we found that: 1) the surface topography and ultrastructural details of peripheral blood elements remained unchanged over roughly 2000 years, 2) linen was the major fabric used to wrap these mummies, and 3) scanning electron micrographs could serve as a source of identification for insects associated with the mummy. A derrnestid larvae, blowfly larvae, and adult beetle (stegobium paniceum (Linnaeus) were found.
Fig. 1. Surface of an ancient erythrocyte. 201
202
JM. Riddle
Fig. 2.
Transmission electron micrograph of an ancient lymphocyte showing a distinct nucleus and cytoplasm.
~PVB~.
Fig. 3.
Beetle collected from the scalp of PUM IV.
New insights into pre-contact Andean burial practices were also gained using the scanning electron microscope to photograph insects associated with pre-Hispanic mummy bundles representing three distinct cultural complexes (Paracus, 86 A.D., Epigonal, 1231 A.D., and Huancho, 1240 A.D.). Five distinct genera of the families Tenebrionidae and Anobiidae (beetles) as well as two different families of Diptera, Muscidae and Calliphoridae (flies) were found. The increased resolution of the scanning electron microscope also showed an organ of the integument of a Calliphorid puparium that had not previously been described (Riddle, 1982). In summary, application of electron microscopy to ancient specimens has allowed us to: 1) assess tissue preservation, 2) compare ancient and modern blood cells and, 3) identify different textiles and insects. REFERENCES Riddle, J.M. (1980). In A. Cockburn and E. Cockburn (Eds.), Mummies, Diseases and Ancient Cultures, Cambridge University Press, London. Chap. 16, pp. 274-286. Riddle, J.M., J. M. Vreeland, Jr. (1982). Identification of Insects Associated with Peruvian mutiny bundles by using scanning electron microscopy. Paleopathology Newsletter, 39, 5-9.
0739—6260/85 $3.00 + 0.00 © 1985 Pergamon Press Ltd.
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY IN PALEOPATHOLOGY J. M. Riddle Research Electron Microscopy Lab., Henry Ford Hosp., Detroit, Michigan
ABSTRACT Electron microscopy was used to examine the surface topography and ultrastructural details of a variety of samples obtained from both Egyptian and Peruvian mummies. KEYWORDS Electron microscopy; ultrastructure; transmission electron microscope; scanning electron microscope; paleopathology; Egyptian mummy, Peruvian nlurmly bundle; ancient blood cells; ancient textiles, insects. INTRODUCTION A wide range of specimens obtained during autopsies of ancient bodies such as various tissues (bone, lung, liver, hair and peripheral blood) as well as textiles, insects and, plant material are suitable for study by electron microscopy. ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC FINDINGS Utilizing materials collected from autopsies on three separate Egyptian mummies (PUM II, 170 B.C.; PUM III, 835 B.C., PUM IV, 2nd century A.D.) we found that: 1) the surface topography and ultrastructural details of peripheral blood elements remained unchanged over roughly 2000 years, 2) linen was the major fabric used to wrap these mummies, and 3) scanning electron micrographs could serve as a source of identification for insects associated with the mummy. A derrnestid larvae, blowfly larvae, and adult beetle (stegobium paniceum (Linnaeus) were found.
Fig. 1. Surface of an ancient erythrocyte. 201
202
JM. Riddle
Fig. 2.
Transmission electron micrograph of an ancient lymphocyte showing a distinct nucleus and cytoplasm.
~PVB~.
Fig. 3.
Beetle collected from the scalp of PUM IV.
New insights into pre-contact Andean burial practices were also gained using the scanning electron microscope to photograph insects associated with pre-Hispanic mummy bundles representing three distinct cultural complexes (Paracus, 86 A.D., Epigonal, 1231 A.D., and Huancho, 1240 A.D.). Five distinct genera of the families Tenebrionidae and Anobiidae (beetles) as well as two different families of Diptera, Muscidae and Calliphoridae (flies) were found. The increased resolution of the scanning electron microscope also showed an organ of the integument of a Calliphorid puparium that had not previously been described (Riddle, 1982). In summary, application of electron microscopy to ancient specimens has allowed us to: 1) assess tissue preservation, 2) compare ancient and modern blood cells and, 3) identify different textiles and insects. REFERENCES Riddle, J.M. (1980). In A. Cockburn and E. Cockburn (Eds.), Mummies, Diseases and Ancient Cultures, Cambridge University Press, London. Chap. 16, pp. 274-286. Riddle, J.M., J. M. Vreeland, Jr. (1982). Identification of Insects Associated with Peruvian mutiny bundles by using scanning electron microscopy. Paleopathology Newsletter, 39, 5-9.