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During the canonical recognition of Jean Bassand's partially skeletonized mummy, digital X-ray examination and computed tomography scanning revealed the presence of 5 coins from Italian mints (15th-16th century). The coins were recovered endoscopically: in the pelvis 3 quattrini of the Republic of Florence (one of which with signs of withdrawal from circulation) dating after 1472, and 1 cavallo of Aquila coined under Charles VIII of Valois (1495-1496); in the skull 1 quattrino of Pier Luigi Farnese, duke of Castro (1537-1545). These items, possibly survived from a richer deposit, may represent part of the offerings, which have become chronological indicators of ceremonies (50th and 100th anniversaries). Probably, they were intentionally repositioned during further inspections following earthquakes (1703) or desecrations (1529, 1799). The study aims to establish the period of production and free flow - in the Aquila's area - of these coins, in order to determine possible historiographical relationships with the body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced morphological and analytical methods play a very important role in paleopathological investigation. Depending on the availability of the instruments, a modern pathologist should be prepared to choose the most suitable technique to the specific question and be able to interpret the results obtained. The aim of this paper is to illustrate the application of such methods through a series of practical examples dating back from Egyptian dynastic to contemporary mummified tissues, in order to outline a basic guideline for paleopathologists in different settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]