Both babies were unnamed, as the coffin inscriptions call them only the "Osiris", a generic term for the deceased, so they are known by the numbers assigned by Carter during his excavation.

X-ray imaging and serological testing was carried out on 317b in the 1970s and both were CT-scanned in 2008, where the remains were found to be in a fragile and degraded condition.

The 1970s diagnosis of 317b with conditions such as Sprengel's deformity and spina bifida was determined to be a result of post-mortem fracturing and dislocation of bones.

Their coffins were found in an open wooden box atop a stack of items that included ushabti shrines, boxes, and a model boat; beside them sat another miniature nested coffin set containing a lock of hair belonging to Tutankhamun's grandmother, Tiye.

The deceased is depicted as a wrapped mummy wearing a blue and gold striped wig, and a broad collar with falcon-headed terminals.

A vulture spreads its wings over the abdomen and gilded vertical and horizontal bands of inscription invoke the deities of the deceased.

The goddesses Nephthys and Isis (with two djed-pillars) are depicted kneeling on the top of the head and on the base of the feet respectively.

The wrappings were 1.5 centimetres (0.59 in) thick and noted to be in poor condition, with pads over the chest, legs and feet to provide shape.

The mummy lacked eyebrows and eyelashes, presumably due to its early gestational age, but light-coloured silky hairs (lanugo) were present on the head.

Below the shroud were eleven further layers of pads and bandaging on the feet, legs, abdomen and chest to provide the correct shape.

Fine hair remained on the back of the head (the rest having come away with the bandages), and eyelashes and eyebrows were present.

A small embalming incision 18 millimetres (0.71 in) long was made parallel to the inguinal ligament to remove the organs.

[5] The mummy was next examined in 1978 using X-rays and was found to have been damaged over the intervening years, with the skull crushed and ribs broken.

The age was estimated to be 35 weeks' gestation to full term, and she was diagnosed with Sprengel's deformity, spina bifida, and scoliosis.

The mummy was confirmed to be female based on the external genitalia and the sub-pubic angle; the age at death was estimated at 36.78 weeks gestation.

Evidence of padding inserted under the skin, used to restore a life-like appearance, was found in the legs; this has resulted in the left thigh being larger than the right.

[20] However, as Charlier and colleagues pointed out in a response, the different DNA probabilities between 317a and 317b is enough to rule out the identical twin theory,[21] which Hawass and Saleem agree with.

[21] This is refuted, as 317a does not show any of the obvious signs exhibited by lithopedion, and the poor condition of both is due to improper storage after their unwrapping.

[13] Alternatively, Christiane Desroches Noblecourt considered their inclusion in their father's burial part of a ritual to ensure his rebirth into the afterlife.