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Enlightening the past: Analytical proof for the use of Pistacia exudates in ancient Egyptian embalming resins
Author(s) -
Nicholson Tim M.,
Gradl Manuela,
Welte Beatrix,
Metzger Michael,
Pusch Carsten M.,
Albert Klaus
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of separation science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.72
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1615-9314
pISSN - 1615-9306
DOI - 10.1002/jssc.201100541
Subject(s) - embalming , chromatography , pistacia , chemistry , geology , archaeology , geography , paleontology
Mastic, the resinous exudate of the evergreen shrub Pistacia lentiscus , is frequently discussed as one of the ingredients used for embalming in ancient Egypt. We show the identification of mastic in ancient Egyptian embalming resins by an unambiguous assignment of the mastic triterpenoid fingerprint consisting of moronic acid, oleanonic acid, isomasticadienonic and masticadienonic acid through the consolidation of NMR and GC/MS analysis. Differences in the observed triterpenoid fingerprints between mummy specimens suggest that more than one plant species served as the triterpenoid resin source. Analysis of the triterpenoid acids of ancient embalming resin samples in the form of their methyl‐ and trimethylsilyl esters is compared. In addition we show a simple way to differentiate between residues of mastic from its use as incense during embalming or from direct mastic application in the embalming resin.