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1. Introduction
Modern radiological techniques for high-resolution 3D imaging applied to archaeological human remains have become an essential tool to understand findings of fragile nature (Bates et al., 2010; Cunningham et al., 2014; Falkingham, 2012; Minozzi et al., 2010). These virtual tools are now suitable for a wide range of both archaeological and osteological investigations through a non-invasive and non-destructive approach and, in this perspective, represent an essential advancement in the study and conservation of ancient mummified corpses. This is the case for the extraordinary mummified remains discovered at Takarkori in the Libyan Acacus Mountains. Here, the so-called Takarkori rock shelter revealed to be a key site to understand human occupation in the central Sahara during the Holocene, while giving insights on the funerary practices of pastoral groups in the region (Biagetti and di Lernia, 2013; di Lernia and Tafuri, 2013). We present here a study of the naturally mummified human remains found in the shelter (namely TK RS H1 and H9), combined with a comparative analysis of other skeletal individuals (TK RS H5 and H10) buried at the site, through a complete X-ray survey by Computerized Tomography (CT-scan). CT-scans have allowed us to isolate and discriminate the biological tissues preserved (e.g. bone, teeth and tendons) as well as exogenous layers, by virtue of their different electron density. This approach falls within a wider osteological and archaeological investigation partly published (Biagetti and di Lernia, 2013; Cremaschi et al., 2014; Dunne et al., 2017; Di Lernia et al., 2016; di Lernia et al., 2012; di Lernia and Tafuri, 2013; Mercuri et al., 2018; Tafuri et al., 2006; Vai et al., 2019). Obviously, the CT-scan resolution represents a constraint to the potentials of any 3D imaging research; in this case, the “medical” resolution has limited our ability to identify some of the tissues investigated.
The aim of this work is to explore taphonomic phenomena as measurable through 3D imaging. We investigate post-depositional processes through the observation of endogenous and exogenous materials found in association with the skeletons, which allows us to infer on mortuary practices of the ancient pastoral community from Takarkori. TK RS H1 specimen is further investigated through Geometric Morphometric approach to evaluate post-depositional distortion,...