In a chilling discovery, scientists may have unraveled the mystery behind the haunting expression of the legendary "Screaming Woman" mummy. Dubbed for her frozen face of perpetual horror reminiscent of Edvard Munch's iconic painting, this cryptic cadaver was unearthed near Luxor, Egypt in 1935. Researchers have now presented their findings in a macabre study published in the journal "Frontiers in Medicine", shedding new light on this ancient cold case.

Using advanced techniques including CT scans and infrared imaging, scientists were able to virtually perform an autopsy on the Screaming Woman, who had been interred roughly 3,500 years ago in the tomb of Semnut, an 18th-dynasty architect to Queen Hatshepsut. The study revealed that the woman, believed to be of noble descent, was approximately 48 years old at the time of her death and stood at around 5 feet tall. Further examination uncovered that she suffered from spinal arthritis, providing valuable insights into her physical condition.

The researchers proposed several theories to explain the eerie grimace frozen on the mummy's face. One possibility highlighted was that the woman might have experienced a cadaveric spasm, where muscles that were extensively used before death suddenly stiffen after death. This muscular reaction could indicate that she died in excruciating pain, potentially even screaming in agony.

Alternatively, the study suggests that embalmers may have mummified the woman's contracted body, preserving her open-mouthed expression at the time of death, before it decomposed or relaxed. It is postulated that the contracted muscles could have prevented the embalmers from closing her mouth, lending to her haunting appearance. Other factors, such as the decomposition process, rate of desiccation, and the pressure from wrappings against her face, were also considered as possible causes.

Lead author of the study, Sahar Saleem, a radiology professor at Kasr Al Ainy Hospital at Cairo University, emphasized that the true circumstances surrounding the woman's death still remain elusive, preventing a definitive explanation for her haunting facial expression.

One fascinating aspect uncovered in the forensic analysis was the intact presence of the mummy's organs. This stood in stark contrast to the traditional practice of removing organs during mummification. The researchers noted that the presence of these organs, combined with the use of expensive embalming agents, suggested a meticulous embalming process, dispelling the theory of neglect regarding the closure of the mummy's mouth.

Furthermore, the Screaming Woman's remarkably well-preserved state extended to her attire. She was adorned with an intricately woven wig made from date palm fibers, stiffened with quartz, magnetite, and albite crystals, and colored black to imitate real hair. Additionally, her original hair had been dyed using juniper and henna, indicating meticulous grooming and attention to detail.

As scientists continue to delve into the secrets held within ancient tombs, the "Screaming Woman" mummy presents a chilling enigma that demonstrates the enduring power of mystery even after millennia of silence.