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Analysis of a pharaonic embalming tar

Author

Listed:
  • Johann Koller

    (Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen, Doerner-Institut)

  • Ursula Baumer

    (Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen, Doerner-Institut)

  • Yoka Kaup
  • Mirjam Schmid
  • Ulrich Weser

    (Physiologisch-Chemisches Institut, Eberhard-Karls Universität Tübingen)

Abstract

Details of mummification techniques used in dynastic Egypt have emerged from writings in subsequent ancient texts, in which the application of oils (kedros, cedrium) derived from the cedar tree have been described by Herodotus (490–425 bc)1 and by Pliny the Elder (ad 23/24–79)2. But scholars have since argued that these products were prepared from juniper trees and not from cedar3 — an assertion that is widely accepted by Egyptologists4 but which has never been verified by chemical analysis. Here we use gas chromatography to analyse the constituents of a sample of unused entombed embalming material from 1500 bc at a site in Deir el-Bahari, Egypt, and find that its components probably originated from the cedar tree. We also identify one component, guaiacol, as having notable preservative properties.

Suggested Citation

  • Johann Koller & Ursula Baumer & Yoka Kaup & Mirjam Schmid & Ulrich Weser, 2003. "Analysis of a pharaonic embalming tar," Nature, Nature, vol. 425(6960), pages 784-784, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:425:y:2003:i:6960:d:10.1038_425784a
    DOI: 10.1038/425784a
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    Cited by:

    1. Sławomir Kasiński & Marcin Dębowski, 2024. "Municipal Solid Waste as a Renewable Energy Source: Advances in Thermochemical Conversion Technologies and Environmental Impacts," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-33, September.

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