Mummy's MRI scan reveals 2,500-year-old Siberian princess died from acute breast cancer - and smoked cannabis to dull the pain Princess was preserved in ice in an elaborate grave in Altai Mountains Remains suggest she had breast cancer for five years in her twenties Her cause of death, however, may have been from an injury from a fall She had injuries including dislocations of joints and fractures to skull Experts suggest accident happened during a migration to a winter camp Cannabis was buried with her and she may have sniffed it while alive Her ecstatic visions from cannabis may have allowed her to be considered as some chosen being, necessary and crucial for the benefit of society
In the tomb archaeologists also found clothing and headdresses, a make-up bag, and a stash of cannabis, enabling experts to build a detailed picture of her life and looks (artist's impression of princess pictured)
Her mummification was carried out with enormous care in a comparable manner to royals which is why her tattoos (illustrated) survived
Dug from her permafrost burial chamber on the high Ukok Plateau in 1993, analysis of the princess' remains earlier highlighted sophisticated tattoos of 'great artistry' of fantastical creatures (shown)
Dr Letyagin concluded: 'I am quite sure in the diagnosis - she had cancer. She was extremely emaciated. Given her rather high rank in society and the information scientists obtained studying mummies of elite Pazyryks, I do not have any other explanation of her state. Only cancer could have such impact
The remains were unearthed almost 20 years ago in the Ukok Plateau in Russia (pictured)
Breast cancer has been known to mankind since the times of the Ancient Egyptians yet this is believed to be the first time such a diagnosis has been made on a mummified ancient woman whose remains were preserve in permafrost, frozen for more than two millennia (scan of remains shown)
Ponsford Member # 20191
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This Siberian Princess dying from breast cancer at such a young age is very rare,even in such an ancient time.
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