Proteomics Reveals Plant Proteins in Ancient Egyptian Artifact Adhesives

The precise composition of ancient Egyptian paints, binders, adhesives, and similar materials used to make artifacts remains largely unknown. A full analysis would require taking samples that would damage those valuable artifacts. The development of cutting-edge, non-destructive techniques has helped unlock those secrets and aid conservation efforts.

The new proteomics work adds to research into how Egyptian artifacts were made. Ancient Egyptians had a highly formalized and easily recognizable painting style. There has been considerable interest in gaining insights into the specific pigments and painting techniques employed.

Common pigments included hematite and realgar for red; goethite and orpiment for yellow; Egyptian blue; Egyptian green; carbon-based black; and calcite, gypsum, anhydrite, and huntite for white. The new paper focuses on glues and adhesives, organic materials that can be studied with mass spectrometry-based proteomics.

Just last year, Washington State University researchers were able to re-create Egyptian blue by mixing together silicon dioxide, copper, calcium, and sodium carbonate in varying proportions and heating them at very high temperatures akin to those of ancient kilns.

The identification of plant proteins from sesame and drumstick tree (moringa) cereals in the artifacts extends the materials detected beyond animal collagens and egg proteins, according to the paper. The findings are intended to help conservation efforts by revealing more about the materials used in Egyptian artifacts.