Accredited Laboratory carries out DNA profiling of an Egyptian Mummy

 

 

MLS BioDNA Ltd, a laboratory accredited to the international standard ISO17025 by the NAB-MALTA, extracted DNA and performed DNA profiling of an Egyptian mummy that is approximately 2600 years old. This Egyptian mummy was on exhibition at the Natural History Museum in Mdina, held recently by Heritage Malta. DNA analysis helped to build up more important information about this mummy which is from the 26th Dynasty (c.a. 650 - 550 BC). It was brought to Malta, together with several other Egyptian artefacts, by Lord Grenfell, Governor of Malta between 1899 and 1903. The artefacts form part of what is now known as the Grenfell Egyptian Collection.

 

Mummies are made of bodies of humans that have been preserved by the action of chemicals, extreme cold or very low humidity. Mummies preserved naturally or intentionally have been found throughout the world. The best known mummies come from Egypt where the art of mummification was developed to a very high degree because of the interest in eternal life.