Unlocking the Secrets of Ancient Egyptian Trade Networks through Mummies

Recently, researchers have uncovered new information about the trade networks of ancient Egypt by studying the mummies that were produced thousands of years ago. The study focuses on a workshop that was located near the necropolis of Saqqara, a prominent burial ground in ancient Egypt. The workshop was discovered in 2016 and, when it was excavated, researchers found dozens of ceramic vessels containing the substances used in the mummification process.

To the surprise of the researchers, many of the substances used for mummification were not sourced from within Egypt. The analysis of the contents of the pots showed that various substances were used for different parts of the body, such as pistacia resin and castor oil for the head, and other mixtures for washing and softening the skin. Some of these materials were transported from great distances, such as the Mediterranean, the Levant, and the Dead Sea. The study also found two previously unseen substances: dammar gum and elemi resin.

Elemi resin appears to have come from equatorial or southern Africa or from South or Southeast Asia. The trees that produced dammar grow only in southern India, Sri Lanka, and tropical Southeast Asia. This discovery suggests that the demand for these exotic resins was significant and may have played an important role in the early development of global trade networks.

The ancient Egyptians mummified their dead for over 3,000 years, hoping to ensure that their souls would have a permanent resting place. The process of mummification involved a series of rituals, including prayers, incense burning, anointing, and wrapping of the body. This process was thought to transform the deceased from an earthly being to a divine being.

Previously, researchers studying mummification methods had limited information available to them, relying primarily on pictorial evidence and references in Egyptian texts and accounts from Greek writers such as Herodotus. However, the discovery of the workshop jars has provided new insight into the mummification process. For example, the substance known as "antiu" had long been thought to be myrrh or frankincense, but it was actually a blend of cedar oil, juniper or cypress oil, and animal fats.

The findings of the study have helped to correct misunderstandings about the mummification process and shed new light on the trade networks of ancient Egypt. Dr. Susanne Beck, who is leading the excavation, stated that "we have known the names of many of these embalming ingredients since ancient Egyptian writings were deciphered. But until now, we could only guess at what substances were behind each name." The discovery of the workshop jars has provided a wealth of new information that will be valuable to future researchers studying the history and culture of ancient Egypt.