Unraveling the mummy's shroud: A multi-analytical study of a rare painted textile from Roman Egypt

Abstract

This article describes a multi-analytical technical study of a rare painted shroud still wrapped around a female Egyptian mummy (MCABo EG 1974) in the collection of the Museo Civico Archeologico of Bologna, Italy. Long stored in the museum's warehouses, these mummified human remains were recently rediscovered within the Bologna Mummy Project (BOmp), an interdisciplinary endeavor promoted by the Museo Civico Archeologico and the Institute for Mummy Studies of Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy. Dating to the Roman period (1st-2nd century C.E.), as confirmed by radiocarbon dating, this mummy displays a unique series of technical features, including the exceptional finding of a colorful painted shroud still preserved in its original location around the wrapped body, to which it is secured with textile straps and resin. In this context, scientific analysis aimed to deepen our current knowledge of the artistic practices of Roman Egypt through an in-depth study of the painting technique, context of production, and possible provenance of the mummy, while promoting a science-informed, enhanced approach to the preservation of the mummified human remains. This research relied on an integrated analytical protocol based on the combined use of imaging and mapping techniques, non-invasive point analysis, and micro-invasive investigation of minute samples, each carried out at the different partnering institutions. Computed tomography (CT) highlighted varying radio-densities for some of the flesh tones and red decorations. Visible photography and multiband imaging provided information on the nature and distribution of various materials on the surface. Fiber optics reflectance spectroscopy (FORS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy contributed to the characterization of the shroud's color palette along with optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), as well as high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array detection and mass spectrometry (HPLC/DAD and HPLC/MS). Materials detected include a limited number of mineral pigments and plant-derived dyes such as red lead, red ocher, madder, an unknown yellow dye, Egyptian blue and green, and a carbon-based black. Through access to MOLAB equipment and expertise, macro-XRF (MA-XRF), as well as combined X-ray diffraction (XRD) spot analysis and mapping, enhanced pigment identification. A combination of transmission Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy with gas chromatography / mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to identify the paint binders and any additional organic substances possibly involved in embalming practices and ritual traditions, including animal fat, plant lipid, Pinaceae resin, gum, and beeswax. Mineralogical data gathered by XRD on surface deposits and soil residues collected from within the shroud's inner folds was crucial to put forward hypotheses, in support of the stylistic study of the shroud, concerning a possible provenance from Upper Egypt, most likely West Thebes. Both the shroud and inner bandages were found to be made with linen using OM. After undergoing scientific analysis and conservation treatment, the mummy was displayed in the “Mummies. Unwrapping the past” exhibition and was featured at the 10th World Congress on Mummy Studies, both held in Bolzano in the fall of 2022.