X-rays and CT scans of more than Egyptian animal mummies have exposed an ancient scandal. Researchers at a scanning project at Manchester Museum and the University of Manchester have revealed that about a third of the mummies scanned contain complete animals, another third contain partial remains - but the rest have been empty.
Apparently there was a huge appetite for these religious offerings and morticians had difficulty keeping up with demand for the mummies. Scientists estimate that up 70 million animals – many of which were mass-bred to keep up with the demands of the Egyptians' religious practices -- may have been mummified by the Egyptians.
Horizon - 70 Million Animal Mummies: Egypt's Dark Secret, will air on BBC 2 on Monday 11 May at 2100.
More: BBC News
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