A team of researchers from Ludwig Maximilian University and the University of Tübingen (Germany) in collaboration with the National Center for Egyptology has succeeded in deciphering some secrets in the mummification process of the ancient Egyptians. as well as the materials used for this process.
Scientists have analyzed organic substances left inside ceramic vessels discovered by late archaeologist Ramadan B. Hussein in 2018 at an area where burial ceremonies were conducted, unearthed in Ho Chi Minh City. Saqqara cemetery, about 30km south of Cairo.
According to General Secretary of the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt (SCA) Mostafa Waziri, the research results published on February 1 in the scientific journal Nature show that a team of archaeologists from Egypt and Germany, led by Mr. Hussein Head, discovered the Ancient Egyptian names of organic substances used in the embalming process written in hieroglyphs on the surface of some ceramic vessels.
Mr. Waziri added that the names of preserved body parts were also written on these ceramics and coated with organic materials during different stages of the mummification process.
The above team of scientists studied and analyzed the remains of organic substances found inside the pottery in the hope of describing their chemical properties.
By determining these properties, they hope to be able to compare them with materials known to humans Ancient Egypt used to preserve the human body, thereby uncovering the principles and secrets of the embalming process.
For the first time, scientists were able to identify three aspects of mummification process include the material used, its name in Ancient Egyptian language and body parts covered with material.
[Ai Cập phát hiện nhiều xác ướp có lưỡi vàng tại địa điểm khảo cổ Quwei]
According to Waziri, the discovery makes a great contribution to helping scientists better understand the famous ancient texts related to the mummification process. Because, this is the first time the research team has been able to identify the writings on the ceramic vase by the chemical characteristics of the inside, thus determining the exact material suitable for embalming each specific part of the body. deceased person.
The discovery also reveals that some of the materials used in the embalming process were imported from other regions of the ancient world, such as the Mediterranean region, the rainforest and the Southeast region. ASIAN. This indicates the existence of trade and communication links between these regions and ancient Egypt.
Regarding the above discovery, Deputy Head of the Egypt-Germany Archaeological Delegation, Ms. Susanna Beck, said that the study has contributed to “revealing” a lot of knowledge about the composition of materials used for mummification.
For example, the substance “antiu”, which is often mentioned when describing mummification processes, is translated to mean “myrrh” or “agarwood,” but research results show that this is a mixture of of oils from cedar, juniper, cypress and tallow.
According to Ms. Beck, the study was carried out using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry on the detected materials.
Nguyen Tung (VNA/Vietnam+)