The Tutankhamun CT scan is only the first step in a five-year endeavor to scan and preserve the ancient mummies of Egypt, many of which are crumbling. Partly through the scans, the effort also aims to solve mysteries pertaining to the diseases and lifestyles of ancient Egyptians.

Called the Egyptian Mummy Project, the effort is supported by the National Geographic Society and Siemens Medical Solutions of Germany. As project leader, Hawass is in charge of archaeologists, conservators, paleopathologists, epidemiologists, radiologists, and physicians from around the world.

"Protecting the mummies and all that we can learn from them is extremely important to Egypt and the world," Hawass said. "The mummies represent 3,000 years of Egyptian history."

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SOURCES AND RELATED WEB SITES Best of Egypt Online: Tomb Tours, Time Line, and More National Geographic: Treasures of Egypt Collector's Edition