The Possibilities of FTIR Spectroscopy Method Application for the Archaeological Wood Species Determination

FTIR spectroscopy method of a single frustrated total internal reflection was used to study 53 samples of coniferous wood and 77 samples of deciduous wood of the middle zone of Russia. Characteristic absorption bands in IR spectra were described, absorption band places characteristic for coniferous and deciduous wood were revealed. Characteristic differences in the spectra of coniferous and deciduous wood species suitable for their identification were determined. Using the established characteristic differences, the wood species of three archaeological materials were identified. The results of approbation of the previously proposed method of identification of archaeological wood species by IR spectroscopy of a single frustrated total internal reflection were presented. It is shown that the most promising diapason for identification species of archaeological wood samples is 1270-1220 cm-1, where two bands of different intensity were detected. In the spectra of coniferous wood the more intensive band is located in about 1265 cm-1 and in the spectra of deciduous species – about 1230 cm-1

3D RECONSTRUCTION OF THE ANCIENT EGYPTIAN MUMMY SKELETON FROM THE PUSHKIN STATE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS (I,1 1240)

The aim of this study was to obtain a non-destructive three-dimensional model of the ancient Egyptian mummy skeleton from the collection of the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts (I,1 1240). The objective of this research was to study the possibility of precise segmentation of bone structures and their separation from the surrounding mummified soft tissues, as well as the reconstruction of destroyed bone fragments according to the preserved shape. With the help of additive technology made all fragments of the skeleton, including the distal phalanx. The digital models and plastic reconstructions of historical artifacts can be used for further research, for example, the biomechanical and morphometric ones, as well as for the purpose of information and education, or as a supplement to the original museum objects

Определение происхождения природного битума в мумифицирующих смолах древнеегипетских мумий из собрания ГМИИ им. А.С. Пушкина

This work presents the results of a study of the resins of seven Ancient Egyptian mummies from the collection of the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts using a complex of analytical methods: gas chromatography, atomic emission and mass spectrometry. Natural bitumen and beeswax were identified in the resins using the gas chromatography–mass spectrometry method. Based on the results of hydrocarbon distribution in the profiles of n-alkanes in the resin coatings of the mummies and naturally occurring bitumen, it was assumed that the Dead Sea bitumen was used. The gas chromatography–mass spectrometry studies of mummy resins in the selected ion mode (m/z 217 and 191) provided additional evidence of the bitumen’s geographic origin. Atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma was used as a means to determine the content of microelements. Vanadium, nickel and molybdenum were found in the tar of five mummies. The determined relative amounts of vanadium, nickel, and molybdenum in the resins of the studied mummies showed a good correlation with the available data on the content of these elements in the Dead Sea bitumen, as well as the Fayum mummy resin based on this bitumen. The advantages of using the method of identifying bitumen in mummy resins based on relative content of vanadium, nickel, and molybdenum were revealed.В работе представлены результаты исследования составов смол семи древнеегипетских мумий из коллекции Государственного музея изобразительных искусств имени А.С. Пушкина с применением комплекса аналитических методов: газовой хроматографии (ГХ), атомно-эмиссионной и масс-спектрометрии (МС). Методом ГХ–МС в них идентифицированы природный битум и пчелиный воск. По результатам распределений углеводородов в профилях н-алканов в смоляных покрытиях мумий и природных битумов высказано предположение об использовании битума Мертвого моря. Дополнительные доказательства географического происхождения битума получены ГХ–МС-исследованием смол мумий в режиме мониторинга заданных ионов (m/z 217 и 191). Методом атомно-эмиссионной спектрометрии с индуктивно связанной плазмой определено содержание микроэлементов и показано, что в смолах пяти мумий присутствуют ванадий, никель и молибден. Полученные результаты свидетельствуют об удовлетворительной корреляции их с литературными данными по содержанию указанных элементов в битуме Мертвого моря и смоле Фаюмской мумии на основе этого битума. Выявлены преимущества использования метода идентификации битума в смолах мумий по относительному содержанию ванадия, никеля и молибдена

The determination of the origin of natural bitumen in mummifying resins of Ancient Egyptian mummies from the collection of the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts

This work presents the results of a study of the resins of seven Ancient Egyptian mummies from the collection of the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts using a complex of analytical methods: gas chromatography, atomic emission and mass spectrometry. Natural bitumen and beeswax were identified in the resins using the gas chromatography–mass spectrometry method. Based on the results of hydrocarbon distribution in the profiles of n-alkanes in the resin coatings of the mummies and naturally occurring bitumen, it was assumed that the Dead Sea bitumen was used. The gas chromatography–mass spectrometry studies of mummy resins in the selected ion mode (m/z 217 and 191) provided additional evidence of the bitumen’s geographic origin. Atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma was used as a means to determine the content of microelements. Vanadium, nickel and molybdenum were found in the tar of five mummies. The determined relative amounts of vanadium, nickel, and molybdenum in the resins of the studied mummies showed a good correlation with the available data on the content of these elements in the Dead Sea bitumen, as well as the Fayum mummy resin based on this bitumen. The advantages of using the method of identifying bitumen in mummy resins based on relative content of vanadium, nickel, and molybdenum were revealed