The ancient art of mummification has long fascinated historians, anthropologists, and the general public alike. We know the process involved embalming to preserve the body – which was both a ritual and chemical process. But, several millennia later, understanding which compounds were used and why can be tricky. 

 

Enter researchers from the UK and Germany, who conducted a biomolecular analysis of 31 ceramic vessels recovered from a 26th Dynasty (664–525 BC) embalming workshop in Saqqara, Egypt. A variety of products were identified, including plant oils, tars, resins, and animal fats – some with antibacterial, and antifungal properties that were likely chosen for their ability to preserve human tissue. Particularly, a resin exclusively found in Asian tropical forests was detected – called dammar – revealing the extensive trade networks needed for a successful embalming industry.

 

Sticking with ancient ceramics – and trade – five early bronze age ceramic bottles were analyzed from the archaeological site of Küllüoba in Anatolia, Turkey, in another recent study. GC-MS identified a mix of liquids, including dicarboxylic, oleic, and palmitic acids – suggestive of plant-based products. It was concluded that the ceramic bottles were likely vessels for the trade of commodities, such as medical ointments, and scented oils.

 

Until next time,

 

Ramer talks about the challenges facing AFM-IR, offers his secret to success, and presents a controversial opinion. “Black box hardware and closed-source software should have no place in science in general. That goes especially for analytical sciences, which often rely on complex commercial instruments.” Read on!

 

Arizona State University scientists pioneer a novel X-raying instrument – the compact X-ray light source – for a deeper, cellular level analysis of living things. Link

 

LC–MS/MS used to quantify eight different types of antidepressants in human serum with only a 20μL sample volume. Link

 

Researchers develop neural network model that uses terahertz time-domain spectroscopy to non-invasively triage burns – with a 93% accuracy rate of predicting burn healing outcomes. Link

 

Point-of-use biosensor identifies geogenic fluoride contamination in waterways – a real-world detection method to measure water quality, and safety. Link

The ancient art of mummification has long fascinated historians, anthropologists, and the general public alike. We know the process involved embalming to preserve the body – which was both a ritual and chemical process. But, several millennia later, understanding which compounds were used and why can be tricky. 

 

Enter researchers from the UK and Germany, who conducted a biomolecular analysis of 31 ceramic vessels recovered from a 26th Dynasty (664–525 BC) embalming workshop in Saqqara, Egypt. A variety of products were identified, including plant oils, tars, resins, and animal fats – some with antibacterial, and antifungal properties that were likely chosen for their ability to preserve human tissue. Particularly, a resin exclusively found in Asian tropical forests was detected – called dammar – revealing the extensive trade networks needed for a successful embalming industry.

 

Sticking with ancient ceramics – and trade – five early bronze age ceramic bottles were analyzed from the archaeological site of Küllüoba in Anatolia, Turkey, in another recent study. GC-MS identified a mix of liquids, including dicarboxylic, oleic, and palmitic acids – suggestive of plant-based products. It was concluded that the ceramic bottles were likely vessels for the trade of commodities, such as medical ointments, and scented oils.

 

Until next time,

 

Ramer talks about the challenges facing AFM-IR, offers his secret to success, and presents a controversial opinion. “Black box hardware and closed-source software should have no place in science in general. That goes especially for analytical sciences, which often rely on complex commercial instruments.” Read on!

 

Arizona State University scientists pioneer a novel X-raying instrument – the compact X-ray light source – for a deeper, cellular level analysis of living things. Link

 

LC–MS/MS used to quantify eight different types of antidepressants in human serum with only a 20μL sample volume. Link

 

Researchers develop neural network model that uses terahertz time-domain spectroscopy to non-invasively triage burns – with a 93% accuracy rate of predicting burn healing outcomes. Link

 

Point-of-use biosensor identifies geogenic fluoride contamination in waterways – a real-world detection method to measure water quality, and safety. Link