Organic geochemistry indicates Gebel El Zeit, Gulf of Suez, is a source of bitumen used in some Egyptian mummies

Abstract

Molecular geochemical properties of crude oils and surface petroleum seeps from the southern part of the Gulf of Suez were evaluated. The characterizations of individual aliphatic, aromatic, and biomarker compounds were based on gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analyses. The results provided strong evidence for a close genetic association of these samples. The geochemical characteristics suggest an origin from Tertiary source rocks deposited in a normal marine environment that received continental runoff. The molecular signatures of the investigated samples were very similar to those of the Lower Miocene Rudeis Formation source rock in the southern Gulf of Suez. Further, biomarker fingerprints of the investigated oil seeps were compared with those of the Dead Sea asphalt, as well as the bitumen from some Egyptian mummies reported in the literature. The results demonstrate that oil seeps from the southern end of Gebel El Zeit were used by ancient Egyptians for embalming.

Organic Residue Analysis in Archaeology: The Archaeological Biomarker Revolution*

“…1996; Connan 1999). The major focus of investigations of the bitumen component of these materials has been the use of molecular parameters to assign the origins of the various bitumen sources (Harrell and Lewan 2002; Barakat et al . 2005).…”

“…(iii) Petroleum bitumens have been widely studied in finds from the Near East due to the existence of natural petroleum seeps in the region, which would have provided ancient peoples with the opportunities of exploiting these resources for a wide variety of uses, including in mummification, art, as components of building materials and in hafting (Rullkötter and Nissenbaum 1988;Connan andDessort 1989, 1991;Connan et al 1992Connan et al , 2004Nissenbaum 1992;Boëda et al 1996;Connan 1999). The major focus of investigations of the bitumen component of these materials has been the use of molecular parameters to assign the origins of the various bitumen sources (Harrell and Lewan 2002;Barakat et al 2005).…”

The colloidal structure of bitumen: Consequences on the rheology and on the mechanisms of bitumen modification

“…Medical uses were also reported, with bitumen acting as a remedy for various illnesses (trachoma, leprosy, gout, eczema, asthma ...), as a disinfectant or as an insecticide [1][2][3]. Another well studied historical application was for the embalming of mummies by the Egyptians [2][3][4].…”

Oil and Gas Seeps in the Gulf of Mexico

“…More than 5,000 years ago, ancient Sumerians, Assyrians, and Babylonians used asphalt from seeps along the Euphrates for waterproofing (PBS 2004). Ancient Egyptians used liquid oil for medicinal purposes and embalming (Harwell and Lewan 2002;Barakat et al 2005;Rullkötter and Nissenbaum 1988). In North America, prehistoric Native Americans used tar as a glue to bind stone tools to wooden handles and as a waterproof caulking for baskets and canoes (Harris and Jefferson 1985).…”