National Geographic News: Mummy

Mummy photograph
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The fact that the toes are splayed is an indicator that the mummy is that of a royal person. Ordinarily, the wrapping during the mummification process causes the toes to curl in. These toes were probably wrapped separately and covered with toe stalls to prevent them from breaking. Toe stalls, caps often made of gold, were a burial luxury reserved for persons of wealth or status, including royalty, and were probably stolen from this body in antiquity.

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Photograph copyright Robin Davis
 

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