Hear the voice of a real mummy, thanks to 3D printing
[MUSIC]
[SOUND]
We've been hearing Hollywood's take up what a money would sound like for decades.
But now scientists have use 3d printing to give a real voice to an actual mo [UNKNOWN] This is Nesyamun, he's an Egyptian priest who died about 3,000 years ago.
Now a little more recently, he's been one of the top attractions at the Leeds City Museum in the UK.
Back in 2013, British researchers began the process of putting the mummy through a series of CT scans.
Now they actually moved him from the museum to a hospital to get those scans done.
I hope they brought him to the back.
If I'm a patient waiting in the I think it would be pretty unsettling to see them carting in a mummy.
But I digress.
The CT scans confirmed exactly what the researchers had hoped for.
Thanks to the mummification process, Nesyamun was well preserved enough to get an accurate scan of his vocal tract.
Then researchers replicated it with 3D printing.
Now our vocal tracks essentially filter sounds that are produced from the larynx, giving us each our unique voices.
Now once they have the replica, they hooked it up to an electronic larynx and a loudspeaker.
What they heard was the closest thing to the voice of an Ancient Egyptian we have ever heard.
Aa, aa.
So what was that sound exactly?
Well, the team analyzed audio recordings from modern men and found the ancient sound fell somewhere between the vowels in bad and bed.
>. Aa.
[SOUND]
But remember, this wouldn't necessarily be an exact copy of a functioning vocal tract.
The real one was sitting around for three millennia, and researchers admit that the sound isn't one that he would ever actually made in real life.
Based on the larynx, they were able to speculate that he probably had a higher pitched voice than the average man today.
And in what some would call an odd coincidence, others, maybe even divine intervention, the inscription on his sarcophagus said he hoped his voice would be heard in the afterlife.
Now, you might be asking, is there any real point to this?
Well, the scientists say, from this sound, they can create sounds he actually would have made.
And their next goal is to develop computer model that could move the vocal tract around.
That would allow them to form different vowel sounds and maybe even words.
So imagine a future where you could go to a museum and maybe even have a conversation with a historical figure in their actual voice.
Maybe that's a ways off.
But I for one love the idea of someday being able to hear the Gettysburg Address and Abraham Lincoln's actual voice.
Maybe this could even be used to bring back the voices of some of the all time great singers.
Elvis cover of truth hurts anyone.
[MUSIC]
Maybe not.
That's it for this week.
I'm Andy Altman, see you in the future.
Up Next
Nvidia's Project GR00T vs. Tesla Optimus: Competing Robot Strategies
Up Next
Nvidia's Project GR00T vs. Tesla Optimus: Competing Robot Strategies
Las Vegas Sphere: Everything You Need to Know
Las Vegas Sphere: Everything You Need to Know
Future-Tech Trends to Watch in 2024
Future-Tech Trends to Watch in 2024
Creating the World's Most Efficient Solar Electric Car
Creating the World's Most Efficient Solar Electric Car
40 Miles an Hour in an Electric Speedboat: Test-Driving the Arc One
40 Miles an Hour in an Electric Speedboat: Test-Driving the Arc One
How Mark Rober's Rivalry with Mr. Beast Led to a Nerf Gun Made of DNA
How Mark Rober's Rivalry with Mr. Beast Led to a Nerf Gun Made of DNA
Brain-Computer Interface: No Open Brain Surgery Required
Brain-Computer Interface: No Open Brain Surgery Required
Electronic Nose 'Smells' Wildfires for Ultra-Early Detection
Electronic Nose 'Smells' Wildfires for Ultra-Early Detection
First Look at the Tech Inside the $2.3B MSG Sphere
First Look at the Tech Inside the $2.3B MSG Sphere
Turning Wave Power Into Electricity, Hydrogen Fuel and Fresh Water
Turning Wave Power Into Electricity, Hydrogen Fuel and Fresh Water
Tech Shows
Latest News All latest news
Apple and Meta Are Competing for Your Memories
Apple and Meta Are Competing for Your Memories
Nvidia's Project GR00T vs. Tesla Optimus: Competing Robot Strategies
Nvidia's Project GR00T vs. Tesla Optimus: Competing Robot Strategies
What Google Gemini AI on the iPhone Could Look Like
What Google Gemini AI on the iPhone Could Look Like
DOJ Sues Apple: Everything to Know About the Antitrust Suit
DOJ Sues Apple: Everything to Know About the Antitrust Suit
Microsoft Surface Pro 10, Surface Laptop 6 Are Here
Microsoft Surface Pro 10, Surface Laptop 6 Are Here
Everything Announced at Microsoft Copilot and Surface Event
Everything Announced at Microsoft Copilot and Surface Event
Most Popular All most popular
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Latest Products All latest products
Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display
This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display
Motorola's Rollable Concept Phone Wraps on Your Wrist
Motorola's Rollable Concept Phone Wraps on Your Wrist
See Adobe Lightroom on the Apple Vision Pro
See Adobe Lightroom on the Apple Vision Pro
Latest How To All how to videos
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro
TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro
Get Your TV Ready for the Big Game: Super Bowl Setup Tips
Get Your TV Ready for the Big Game: Super Bowl Setup Tips
How to Use a Quest 3 Like the Vision Pro