The process of mummification had been known since the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom (ca. 2600 BC) and continued to develop throughout ancient Egyptian history. Although mummification protected the body from decay, especially by microbes, some mummification techniques left the body susceptible to insect attack. Certain types of insects have been detected in the mummies. In scholarly publications, most authors have dealt with microorganisms, while few have concerned themselves in depth with the effect of insects on the mummies. This study aims to discuss the significance of insects and the changes they affected to the mummies during embalming. To achieve this goal, experiments were carried out replicating various mummification techniques using albino Wistar rats. Analysis and investigative techniques used included visual observation, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, investigation of the surface morphology by a scanning electron microscope, and color change by a spectrophotometer. The following insects could be identified as being present during the second and third processes of mummification: Dermestes maculatus, Necrobia rufipes, Saprinus gilvicornis, Chrysomya albiceps, Wohlfahrtia magnifica, and Attagenus fasciatus. In addition, the majority of our findings confirmed that the degradation by insects increased with the second and third methods of mummification. Finally, the experimental study conducted using the mummification techniques of the New Kingdom (ca. 1570-1070 BC) indicated that they were more resistant to insect attack than the other types.
Fumigation has been the most convenient method in the field of pest control in museums. In this study, as fumigants, ethanol 70%, deltamethrin commercial pesticide CP , essential oil EO from Pinus regida, and low oxygen microenvironment 0.1%, LOM were tested individually and jointly against museum fungal strain Alternaria alternata. Three concentrations of each CP and EO were chosen for evaluating the individual effect. In the joint action fumigation process, three lower concentrations of CP and EO were tested in LOM. The rate of mycelial growth inhibition at each fumigation process was determined by two steps: 1 directly after the fumigation process and 2 after 7 d of the inoculation of the fumigated spores in new medium and incubating it in normal condition. The results demonstrated that applying of each chemical CP or EO in LOM enhanced its fungicidal activity and that effect of EO improved from fungistatic to fungicidal by jointing with LOM.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.