Plant lipids and fossil hydrocarbons in embalming material of Roman Period mummies from the Dakhleh

2025-02-24 Classification：Archaeology Click()
Author：Maurer, J; Möhring, T; Rullkötter, J; Nissenbaum, A

Article Title：Plant lipids and fossil hydrocarbons in embalming material of Roman Period mummies from the Dakhleh Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt

Abstract：
Embalming material contained in four mummies from the Roman Period (4th century AD) excavated in the Dakhleh Oasis, Western Desert of Egypt, were analysed for the soluble lipid components. According to the distribution patterns of n-alkanes, steroid hydrocarbons, polycyclic terpane hydrocarbons, n-fatty acids, diterpenoid acids and wax esters, the embalming material mainly consists of plant material including coniferous resins and possibly beeswax. In addition, fossil bitumen was present in all samples, but of different composition in samples from the cranial cavities and the thorax. The bitumen in the thorax samples closely resembles the composition of Dead Sea asphalt.

Keywords: Dakhleh Oasis; Dead Sea asphalt; diterpenoid acids; Egyptian mummies; embalming material; steranes; terpanes; wax esters

DOI: 10.1006/jasc.2001.0773

Source：JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE

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