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Analysis of resinous material present on an alabaster lid excavated from Nabataean Moa in the Arava valley
Author(s) -
Hanuš Lumír Ondřej,
BenYehoshua Shimshon
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
arabian archaeology and epigraphy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.384
H-Index - 18
eISSN - 1600-0471
pISSN - 0905-7196
DOI - 10.1111/aae.12028
Subject(s) - archaeology , tar (computing) , sealant , geology , geography , materials science , composite material , computer science , programming language
An alabaster lid with a resinous accretion burnt or stuck next to the handle and on the base was uncovered in the Nabataean rest stop in Moyat Aawad (Moa) in the Arava valley in Israel. The analysis of this resin sample utilising GC ‐ MS revealed several types of compounds. The chemical analysis revealed compounds typically present in pine tar and plant lipid material (probably oil). The use of pine resin, tar and pitch derived from plant resins is documented in antiquity, not only as a sealant or caulking material but also as medicines, antiseptics and ritual balms.