Scientists use 'naked scanners' to probe mummies

The Local

German scientists have found a less controversial use for the “naked body scanners” being rolled out at European airports – investigating ancient Egyptian mummies.

The high-frequency “terahertz” scanners can scan fragile mummies in a way that is less damaging than X-ray scanners, which can destroy precious DNA, the scientists say.

Markus Walther and Andrea Bitzer from the Materials Research Centre at the University of Freiburg, have found that the terahertz rays can penetrate the cloth material used to wrap mummies and conveniently probe the dessicated body beneath.