Biomolecular characterization of 3500-year-old ancient Egyptian mummification balms from the Valley of the Kings

Huber B, Hammann S, Loeben CE, Jha DK, Vassão DG, Larsen T, Spengler RN, Fuller DQ, Roberts P, Devièse T, Boivin N (2023)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2023

Journal

Scientific Reports Nature Publishing Group: Open Access Journals - Option B

Book Volume: 13

Article Number: 12477

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39393-y

Abstract

Ancient Egyptian mummification was practiced for nearly 4000 years as a key feature of some of the most complex mortuary practices documented in the archaeological record. Embalming, the preservation of the body and organs of the deceased for the afterlife, was a central component of the Egyptian mummification process. Here, we combine GC–MS, HT-GC–MS, and LC–MS/MS analyses to examine mummification balms excavated more than a century ago by Howard Carter from Tomb KV42 in the Valley of the Kings. Balm residues were scraped from now empty canopic jars that once contained the mummified organs of the noble lady Senetnay, dating to the 18th dynasty, ca. 1450 BCE. Our analysis revealed balms consisting of beeswax, plant oil, fats, bitumen, Pinaceae resins, a balsamic substance, and dammar or Pistacia tree resin. These are the richest, most complex balms yet identified for this early time period and they shed light on balm ingredients for which there is limited information in Egyptian textual sources. They highlight both the exceptional status of Senetnay and the myriad trade connections of the Egyptians in the 2nd millennium BCE. They further illustrate the excellent preservation possible even for organic remains long removed from their original archaeological context.

Authors with CRIS profile

Simon Hammann Juniorprofessur für Lebensmittelsicherheit und -qualität (am Henriette Schmidt-Burkhardt Lehrstuhl)

Involved external institutions

Max-Planck-Institut für Geoanthropologie (MPIG) / Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology DE Germany (DE) Museum August Kestner DE Germany (DE) University College London (UCL) GB United Kingdom (GB) Aix-Marseille University / Aix-Marseille Université FR France (FR)

How to cite

APA:

Huber, B., Hammann, S., Loeben, C.E., Jha, D.K., Vassão, D.G., Larsen, T.,... Boivin, N. (2023). Biomolecular characterization of 3500-year-old ancient Egyptian mummification balms from the Valley of the Kings. Scientific Reports, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-39393-y

MLA:

Huber, B., et al. "Biomolecular characterization of 3500-year-old ancient Egyptian mummification balms from the Valley of the Kings." Scientific Reports 13.1 (2023).

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