![]() ![]() Lichen In some Dynasty 21-23 mummies, the abdomen was packed with dried lichen. It may have grown in Egypt during an earlier period, but importation is more likely. Juniper does not grow in Egypt, although it is found in other places in the Mediterranean. They seem to be directly connected with the cedar wood used for coffins and shrines and the cedar oil used on the bodies. Juniper berries These berries are found both placed on the body and placed in the tombs. Honey Two jars in Tutankhamun's tomb were labeled as containing honey, but none was found in the jars. It was thought that it was used to paint these parts of mummies as well as the finger and toe nails, but this discoloration may actually have been from the embalming process. Henna The flowers were probably used in ancient Egypt for perfuming ointments and the leaves were used as a cosmetic to color the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, and the hair. The term cedrium, however, might not unreasonably have been used to mean wood tar alone, which was sometimes employed by the Egyptians for embalming. Cedrium, as defined by Pliny was pyroligneous acid containing mixed oil of turpentine and wood tar, for the use of which no Egyptian evidence has been found. There is ample evidence that this was used for embalming by the ancient Egyptians. The cedri succus mentioned by Pliny was the natural resin of some coniferous tree, probably never cedar, but often the juniper. Modern-day cedar oil is made through a distillation process unknown until a late date. For each function, differing juniper products would be necessary: theinjection fluid was probably oil of turpentine containing wood tar the anointing fluid was probably ordinary oil perfumed by volatile oil of juniper. One author says it was injected and the other that it was used for anointing. Cedar Oil, Cedri Succus, Cedrium The cedar oil spoken of by Herodotus and Diodorus is probably actually made from the juniper plant. Neither is considered satisfactory or final. ![]() Two scholarly references have been made to cassia or cinnamon in relation to mummies. Herodotus mentions cassia and Diodorus mentions cinnamon (possibly the same material being meant in both cases) as having been used in mummification. Assuming that cassia and cinnamon were known during the times of the pharaohs, they would naturally have been used as flavoring and perfuming materials and also possibly as incense. In ancient times cassia and cinnamon consisted of the bark plus flower-tops, twigs, and wood of these plants. Cassia and Cinnamon These substances are similar both are from varieties of laurel that grow in India, Ceylon, and China. It may have been used on some animal mummies. Bitumen The only human mummies on which bitumen was used were from the Graeco-Roman period in Egypt, and the material was not universally used even then. Beeswax figures of the four sons of Horus accompanied the canopic packages of Dynasty 21 mummies. It is sometimes found on other parts of the body. Beeswax This substance was often used to cover the ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and embalming incision. Alum There is no evidence of its deliberate use. Items not mentioned by the ancient authors but found in relation to mummies studied in modern times are listed as well. For each, there is a comment on modern scientific evidence to support or refute these claims. Most of these materials were mentioned by the ancient authors Herodotus, Diodorus, or Pliny as being used in the mummification process. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |