Organic Residues Analysis: The Case of a Beaker Found in Theban Necropolis, Egypt

Abstract

Amorphous organic residues collected from a ceramic vessel from a tomb excavated in the Theban Necropolis (Egypt) were chemically investigated by an analytical procedure based on gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Little is known about Egyptian ceramic vessels, thus retrieving valuable information on the use of ceramics from the chemical analyses of organic residues was a key aspect of this work. The results showed that the vessel was used in connection with a number of substances such as beeswax, fat/oil and Pinaceae resin. This enabled us to draw hypotheses on the possible function of artefact in connection with mummification practices.

Keywords

• Theban Necropolis
• ceramic vessel
• GC/MS
• Pinaceae resin
• beeswax
• fatty material