A multidisciplinary investigation of a mummified Egyptian head and analysis of its associated resinous material from the Salinas Regional Archaeological Museum in Palermo (Sicily)

SQUIRES, Kirsty, DAVIDSON, Alison, COOPER, Simon, Viner, Mark, Hoban, Wayne, Loynes, Robert, Zesch, Stephaine, Rosendahl, Wilfred, Lindaur, Susanne, Greco, Caterina and Piombino-Mascali, Dario (2024) A multidisciplinary investigation of a mummified Egyptian head and analysis of its associated resinous material from the Salinas Regional Archaeological Museum in Palermo (Sicily). Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports. ISSN 2352-4103

Preview

Text Squires et al 2024. Salinas Head.pdf - Publisher's typeset copy Available under License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) . Download (6MB) | Preview

Abstract or description

Among the 70 items donated by the abbot Antonio Pietro Paternostro to the former National Museum of Palermo (now Salinas Regional Archaeological Museum) in 1870, an ancient Egyptian mummified human head stands out. In 2022 the finding was submitted for a multidisciplinary investigation that relied upon non-invasive or minimally invasive approaches. Investigations revealed that this is a possible female head, which was likely subjected to trans-nasal craniotomy, and dated to the Egyptian Graeco-Roman period. The head was packed with an abundant amount of resin which was analysed using thermogravimetric analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. The analysis suggested that the resin was most likely comprised of a natural resin, pitch, or tar, from the Pinaceae family of conifers, and mixed with other materials including a fat, oil, or wax. The use of multiple sample preparation techniques for the chromatographic analysis provided a high level of confidence in the identification of a wide variety of compounds, including a range of himachalene derivatives, which indicate the inclusion of cedar tar or oil.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Biological anthropology, mummification, radiocarbon dating, TGA, FTIR, GC-MS, ancient Egypt, Palermo, Salinas, resin, himachalene
Faculty:	School of Law, Policing and Forensics > Forensic Sciences and Policing
Depositing User:	Kirsty SQUIRES
Date Deposited:	24 Apr 2024 14:25
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2024 14:25
URI:	https://eprints.staffs.ac.uk/id/eprint/8256

Available Versions of this Item

• A Mummified Egyptian Head from the Salinas Regional Archaeological Museum in Palermo (Sicily): Radiological Investigation and Analysis of its Associated Resinous Material. (deposited 15 Apr 2024 09:40)
  • A multidisciplinary investigation of a mummified Egyptian head and analysis of its associated resinous material from the Salinas Regional Archaeological Museum in Palermo (Sicily). (deposited 24 Apr 2024 14:25) [Currently Displayed]

Actions (login required)

View Item