Analysis Of Different Materials Used In Ancient Egypt

Abstract

This research is about FTIR and UV comparison study between samples of resin from the Egyptian mummy Fig. 1 and a horn Fig. 2, which may have been used for medical therapy. Both samples are from the Egyptian museum. The study discusses the similarity between the spectra of these two samples whose main component is Chios turpentine. Its medical uses and its uses in embalming are also discussed.

The research also includes FTIR analysis of a sample from a jar Fig. 3 contents from the tomb of Yoya and Thuya (18th dynasty- 1390-1325 B.C - Valley orthe Kings) and it is on display in the Egyptian museum too. There is a similarity between the IR spectra of the ancient samples and the recent royal jelly. Wall paintings in the 18th dynasty tomb Rekhmire at Sheikh Abd el Qurna show what progress apiculture had made by the new Kingdome. There is a probability of mixing the royal jelly with oils in ancient times. The research also discusses the results and the chemical transformation and the changes in structure due to time.