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Bone samples of a ptolemeic mummy have been employed to study the mode of conservation on the intactness of Zn2Mg alkaline phosphatase in both structure and catalytic activity. A protein of Mr = 190 ± 10 kDa being identical to the 200 kDa enzyme of fresh human bones was successfully isolated. Regardless of age 200 kDa protein bands and a distinct sub­ unit at 60 kDa were seen in SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. The 200 kDa band was also monitored by activity staining. The specific activity was 120 mU/mg and 65% of the respective activity obtained in the identical preparation using fresh human tibia or rib. The enzymic activity was inhibited in the presence of 1,10-phenanthroline and ʟ-homoarginine. Radiocarbon dating supported the assignment of the mummy to the early ptolemeic period. Among the many bactericidal and fungicidal components employed for mummification were aromatic alcohols, mono-and sesquiterpenes. Pistachio resin was the major balm resin used. The microbiological sterility of the bone surface was ascertained by independent bacterial and fungal examinations

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here is controversy as to whether embalming was performed in the course of mummification of the deceased in the Old Kingdom of Pharaonic Egypt (2660-2180 B.C.). Our knowledge of conservation techniques used in the Old Kingdom is limited. In general, mummification was accomplished after dehydrating the body. To improve this mummification process, embalming was progressively used from the time of the Middle Kingdom onward.In an earlier study from the Tubingen laboratory, mummified alkaline phosphatase was successfully isolated from bone samples obtained from a Ptolemaic mummy (1). This mummy had been richly pretreated with phenolic and fungicidal compounds, which suppressed secondary microbial growth. We were very interested in ascertaining the limitations of preserving this zinc-magnesium enzyme in mummified Egyptian bone samples dating back to the Old Kingdom when no conservation, according to general knowledge, was assumed to have been done. Thus, we performed a study on the wellcharacterized, mummified skeleton of IDU II, secretary general of the pine wood trade office. This high-ranking official lived some 2200 years B.C. and was buried in a solid wood coffin. He was identified by the inscriptions on the outside of his thick, boarded coffin. The tomb of IDU II was unearthed in 1914 at Giza, and its contents were brought to the Pelizaeus Museum (Hildesheim, Germany) (http://mfah.org/ splendor/docs/highlts/hlldemus.html). The mummy (inventory No. 2639) con- Controversy exists overwhether embalming was already being performed in the Old Kingdom in the course of mummifying the deceased.

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