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CNN Live At Daybreak

Emory University Doing DNA Test on Egyptian Mummy

Aired January 11, 2002 - 06:55   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: One of ancient Egypt's greatest mysteries may be solved right here at Atlanta, Georgia. A group of medical experts is using cutting edge genetics research on a 3,000- year-old mummy.

CNN's Sean Callebs has details on the mummy mystery.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory University is basking in the glow of its prize acquisition, nine mummies from ancient Egypt, coffins decorated with elaborate hieroglyphics.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And here she's being judged. She's going to the final judgment, so the gods are ushering her in to the hall of judgment.

CALLEBS: What they know is amazing, but what they don't know could turn out to be even more exciting. He doesn't look noble here, but some Egyptologists have speculated the leathery remains could be that of the long missing Ramses I. Carlos curator, Peter Lacovara, says there are clues.

PETER LACOVARA, MICHAEL C. CARLOS MUSEUM: The arms are crossed over the shoulders, which until very late in Egyptian history was a posture reserved only for pharaohs.

CALLEBS: This is one of a cache of mummies Emory purchased from a Canadian museum for $2 million. In an effort to make the leap from academic debate to scientific proof, the university is turning to DNA research specialist Dr. Doug Wallace.

DR. DOUG WALLACE, EMORY UNIVERSITY: Over time, DNA tends to degrade. And so over 3,000 years of degradation, there's relatively little DNA left.

CALLEBS: Wallace wants to compare what DNA there is from this mummy to DNA from Ramses II and Seti I. Specifically, scientists want to examine the male, or "Y" chromosome from Ramses' son and grandson.

And it gets even more complicated. Scientists say the best chance of retrieving DNA will come from the mummy's teeth. To reduce the risk of further contamination, a female oral surgeon will extract a tooth.

DR. MOLLIE WINSTON, ORAL SURGEON: We're hoping that we can go in with just typical surgical instruments and extract a tooth, that it will just come out pretty easily.

CALLEBS: If this is Ramses I, Emory will return him to Cairo. And if not, one of the great mysteries of Egyptian relics remains unanswered.

Sean Callebs, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: I am telling you, technology can do amazing things.

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