Study of Egyptian mummification balms by FT-IR spectroscopy and GC-MS

GC-MS analyses were made on the organic fraction of extracted balms, previously trimethylsilylated before injection. Biomarkers and degradation products of oils, fats, resins (with oleanene, lupene, lanostane, masticadiene, and abietane compounds) and beeswax were found. These materials were often used in combination. Many identified byproducts (di and triterpenic molecules, hydroxylated fatty acids, etc) give us the opportunity to discuss the different degradation reactions taking place in such archaeological material. Furthermore, beeswax was identified in numerous samples thanks to the presence of long chain alkanes, long chain fatty acids and palmitate ester. In one balm, the co-occurrence of brassicaceae oil chemical markers and cholesterol (and its degradation products) shows the combine use of oil and fat. Finally, a great correlation and complementarity was observed between the two analytical techniques.