What is the only way you should ever unwrap a mummy?

Hollywood would have us believe that it is always dangerous to us living beings to unwrap a mummy. In reality, however, it’s probably more dangerous for the mummy.

That’s why a team of researchers found a way to “unwrap” mummified creatures without physically having to do so. The process is called micro-computerized tomography and works by taking thousands of X-rays of a mummified subject from all different angles. From there, the researchers can create a digitized image of exactly what is inside the mummy’s outer shell.

The process was conducted on three ancient mummified animals: a cat, a bird and a snake. The researchers were able to discern a whole host of information, including cause of death, estimated age and process of mummification.