Ginger

Ginger, nickednamed for his reddish/blonde hair, is the oldest known mummy from Ancient Egypt. Dated to c. 3500 BC, he was found in the area of Gebelein, also known as Naga el-Gherira. He is currently located in the British Museum.

Description by the British Museum:

Body of naturally mummified adult male lying in flexed position.

Skull - Tufts of ginger-coloured hair are present on the scalp. No obvious fractures. Mouth slightly open. All teeth present and appear healthy.

Thorax and Abdomen - Comminuted fracture, 4th left rib. Fracture, anterior third of 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th left ribs. The spinal column is free from fractures and dislocations. The intervertebral discs appear normal. No arthritic changes are present. There is a large, faintly granular opacity within the thorax. Stellate crack fracture on the wing of the left ilium. Fracture through the right pubic ring.

Arms - No definite fractures seen. The left index finger and several of the terminal phalanges of the feet are missing.

Legs - Both femoral shafts are fractured and there is a fracture of the shaft of the left tibia and fibula. Three shells are present on the soft tissue just behind the left knee. No lines of arrested growth are visible.

Length: 163 centimetres (5.4 feet)

There were six bodies found at this location, including Ginger, all dating to the same period. Ceramic vessels were found with the bodies.

In 1967, x-rays were performed at the British Museum. Their findings:

• Female adult body with fractures to skull and many other bone fractures occurring after death, however the bones are otherwise healthy. There is long brown hair present on the scalp. The body is 5.0 feet in length.
• Body of an adolescent has a detached skull that may not belong to the body. The teeth are worn and there are fractures in all ribs, left tibia and right thigh bone. There are lines of arrested growth in the tibia. Linen has been used to pack the thorax and abdomen. The body is 4.9 feet in length.
• Male adult body with a square-shaped opacity in the skull and healthy teeth. The body has fractures in the 9th rib, the right femur and a crack fracture left of the sciatic notch. Several of the fingers are missing and the left hand has been detached at the wrist. Tufts of brown hair are on the remains of the scalp. The body is 5.2 feet in length.
• Elderly body with decalcified bones bones, consistent with senile osteoporosis. The body was probably in a wicker basket and covered with an animal skin as wicker and fur remnants are present and there are patches of linen on the body surface. All teeth are present with caps worn. The body has many fractured ribs and only wrist bones of the left hand remain. The legs have been detached due to fractures mid-shaft of both thigh bones. There are lines of arrested growth in the tibia and the last bones of most toes are missing. The body is 5.0 feet in length.
• Adult body, probably male, has remnants of bandages at the neck, pelvis and right ankle. The skull has been detached with some incisors missing but the remaining teeth appear healthy. The body has fractures in the ribs and left femur. One arm has been dislocated at the elbow joint, the left hand is detached at the wrist and both feet are also detached from the rest of the body. The body is 5.0 feet in length.

Ginger in the British Museum