Scientists used 3D CT scans to look inside a three-metre-long mummified Egyptian “giant crocodile”. They revealed that, besides the two crocodiles previously spotted inside the wrappings, the mummy also contains dozens of individually wrapped baby crocodiles.

There are only a few known crocodile mummies of this kind. The new scan was performed at the Academic Medical Centre in Amsterdam. The mummy was previously scanned in 1996, revealing that there are two juvenile crocodiles inside a mummy that looks like one large crocodile. Now it was revealed that there are also dozens of baby crocodiles inside as well. The amulets placed inside the linen wrappings with the mummies can also be examined in detail and from all sides in 3D.

The mummy was given the shape of one large crocodile with various kinds of stuffing: bits of wood, wads of linen, plant stems, and rope. The egyptologists believe that the crocodiles of different ages were mummified together as a reference to the ancient Egyptian belief in rejuvenation and new life after death or, possibility, there were no large crocodiles available at a time when they were needed as offerings to the gods.

(after Popular Archaeology)