Analysis of the ceramics shows that these pots were most likely made in the region around Haifa in modern Israel, which is probably also where the resin was collected.

Amphorae (pots) that contained resin from pistacia trees have been found at Amarna, the Egyptian royal city from 1347 to 1332 BC, and in the Uluburun shipwreck (off the coast of west Turkey) from approximately the same date. Pistacia trees grow around the Mediterranean, from Greece to Western Asia. From this we can tell which molecules are present and in what quantities.Ĭlose up of mummy of Djedkhonsiufankh. At the end of the tube, the molecules go into a mass spectrometer which separates them according to their mass to charge ratio. This involves vaporising each sample and pushing it through a long tube, which separates the molecules in the sample. To do this, we take tiny samples and conduct a form of chemical analysis called 'Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)'. What is 'black goo'?īritish Museum experts have analysed more than 100 samples of black goo from twelve coffins and mummy cases, all dating to the 22nd Dynasty in the Third Intermediate Period (c. We can do this in our science labs hidden underground the Museum. So one of the best ways to learn more about this black goo is to chemically analyse it to find out what it is. Knowledge about the practices around mummification and burial appear to have been restricted.

There are many texts that deal with spiritual preparations for death in ancient Egypt, but very few texts that deal with practical aspects. But what is it? And if we find out what it was made from, can we learn more about why the Egyptians used it? Though not used by everyone – there are a number of instances of this 'black goo' being used in Egyptian burials. The lid was then placed on the coffin, and he was left to journey forth to the underworld.ĭjedkhonsiu-ef-ankh was not unique. Then several litres of warm black 'goo' were poured all over the mummy case, covering it completely, effectively cementing the case into the coffin.

At the time of his funeral, he was lowered into his coffin, and carried to his tomb. This case was beautifully painted in bright colours and gilded with gold leaf over the face. Here he had two main roles – one was 'Opener of the Doors of Heaven', which meant he was one of the priests who was entitled to open the doors of the shrine in the temple sanctuary, containing the cult image of the god.Īfter Djedkhonsiu-ef-ankh died, he was mummified, wrapped in fine linen and sewn into his plaster and linen mummy case. We don't know a lot about Djedkhonsiu-ef-ankh's life, but we do know he was a priest in the temple of Amun at Karnak. Djedkhonsiu-ef-ankh lived and died almost 3,000 years ago in ancient Egypt.

Mummy with coffin really gold