For the first time, a bandage wound was discovered in an Egyptian mummy

A CT scan of a mummy dating back millennia has provided further insight into ancient medical methods.

The 2,000-year-old mummified child preserves the ancient Egyptian technique of wound dressing.

According to research recently published in the International Journal of Paleontology, the mummy was unearthed from Aline's tomb on the Faiyum oasis southwest of the Egyptian capital Cairo. It belonged to a girl under the age of 4, who died about 2,000 years ago.

The computed tomography (CT) image surprised scientists when it revealed a bandaged wound in the leg part of the remains. This is the first evidence of the ancient Egyptian technique of wound dressing stored inside a mummy.

"It gives us clues about how they treat patients with infections or abscesses," said study lead author Albert Zink, head of the Mummy Research Institute in Bolzona, Italy.

The ancient Egyptians were said to have a profound understanding of medical methods. Since millennia ago, they had amazing ideas about how to treat diseases and wounds.

A CT scan shows the mummy's legs and feet.

Although carefully bandaged, the wound became infected before the victim died. CT scan results showed it had signs of festering. Zink adds that the ancient Egyptians seem to have applied ointments or herbs to the area to treat inflammation.

The team wanted to dig deeper into what caused the infection, but that might require opening the mummy. Another option is to take a sample with a biopsy needle.

"There are always surprises when it comes to studying mummies. I don't remember how many mummies I've examined in my scientific career, but there's always something new. I'm really excited about this fairly new examination. ", Zink shared.