Analysis of a pharaonic embalming tar

ABSTRACT Details of mummification techniques used in dynastic Egypt have emerged from writings in subsequent ancient texts, in which the application of oils (_kedros_, _cedrium_) derived

from the cedar tree have been described by Herodotus (490–425 bc)1 and by Pliny the Elder (ad 23/24–79)2. But scholars have since argued that these products were prepared from juniper trees

and not from cedar3 — an assertion that is widely accepted by Egyptologists4 but which has never been verified by chemical analysis. Here we use gas chromatography to analyse the

constituents of a sample of unused entombed embalming material from 1500 bc at a site in Deir el-Bahari, Egypt, and find that its components probably originated from the cedar tree. We also

identify one component, guaiacol, as having notable preservative properties. Access through your institution Buy or subscribe This is a preview of subscription content, access via your

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EMBALMING Article Open access 01 February 2023 ORGANIC GEOCHEMICAL EVIDENCE OF HUMAN-CONTROLLED FIRES AT ACHEULEAN SITE OF VALDOCARROS II (SPAIN, 245 KYA) Article Open access 18 May 2023 AN

INSIGHT INTO THE BOTANICAL ORIGINS OF PROPOLIS FROM PERMANENT PRESERVATION AND REFORESTATION AREAS OF SOUTHERN BRAZIL Article Open access 11 November 2021 REFERENCES * Herodotus _The

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uns Zeit_ 19, 48–58 (1985). Article  CAS  Google Scholar  Download references AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS * Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen, Doerner-Institut, München,

80799, Germany Johann Koller & Ursula Baumer * Physiologisch-Chemisches Institut, Eberhard-Karls Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany Ulrich Weser Authors * Johann Koller View

author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * Ursula Baumer View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * Yoka

Kaup View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * Mirjam Schmid View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

* Ulrich Weser View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar ETHICS DECLARATIONS COMPETING INTERESTS The authors declare no competing financial

interests. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION SUPPLEMENTARY FIGURE (JPG 77 KB) SUPPLEMENTARY FIGURE LEGEND (DOC 19 KB) RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS

ARTICLE Koller, J., Baumer, U., Kaup, Y. _et al._ Analysis of a pharaonic embalming tar. _Nature_ 425, 784 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/425784a Download citation * Issue Date: 23 October

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