Indications of embalming in Roman Greece by physical, chemical and histological analysis

Papageorgopoulou, Christina; Xirotiris, N.; Iten, Peter X.; Baumgartner, Markus R.; Schmid, M.; Rühli, Frank J

doi:10.1016/j.jas.2008.07.003

Cited by 29 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…The analyses in the present work exclude the possibility of embalmment of S. Caracciolo with the various organic compounds usually used for embalmment purposes, such as drying oils, natural waxes, tar products, di‐ or triterpenes or, for that matter, modern oil‐based products. Such products have otherwise been reported previously; for example, in the partly mummified remains of a Roman woman from Thessaloniki, Greece, where sesquiterpenes, triterpenoids and diterpenoids originating from coniferous and pistacia resins were found (Papageorgopoulou et al . 2009).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 64%

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On the Embalmment of S. Francesco Caracciolo

Rasmussen¹,

Torino²,

Glastrup³

et al. 2012

Archaeometry

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The Italian saint Francesco Caracciolo died in June 1608 and his body was transported from Agnone in the Abruzzo region to the city of Naples, where he was interred. According to written sources, his body was embalmed, but the embalmment method is unknown. In the present work, four samples of the remains of S. Caracciolo have been analysed for traces of embalmment. No organic compounds usually used for embalmment were found using GC with MS detection. Only low background levels of As were measured using CV-AAS (Cold Vapour Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy). In two samples analysed by CV-AAS, however, very high concentrations of Hg (12.7 mg g -1 and 4.9 mg g -1 ) were measured, these being 100 to 1000 times more than the background Hg levels found in bone tissue of other medieval and Renaissance individuals. Two interpretations seem viable: (1) the high Hg levels are caused by embalmment using Hg-containing compounds; (2) the excess Hg originates from a medical treatment that S. Caracciolo received in his youth, when he was cured of leprosy, or in connection with his illness just prior to his death. The case of excess Hg in the remains of S. Caracciolo has distinct parallels with those of other Renaissance burials.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 64%

“…A somewhat similar situation, although with another element, could be the potential effect of lead from a lead coffin of a Roman mummy, found in Thessaloniki, Greece. Here, energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis failed to detect lead penetrating into the tissues (Papageorgopoulou et al . 2009).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the Embalmment of S. Francesco Caracciolo

Rasmussen¹,

Torino²,

Glastrup³

et al. 2012

Archaeometry

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“…The presence of chemical components, such as sesquiterpenes, triterpenoids, and diterpenoids, originating from coniferous and pistacia resins, myrrh, and other spices, found in a partially mummified body dating to AD 300 found in Northern Greece, confirm ancient information on preservation methods of the deceased in Greek and Roman times (Papageorgopoulou et al. ).…”

Section: Periods Of Embalmingsupporting

confidence: 69%

Human body preservation – old and new techniques

2014

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This review deals with the art of (anatomical) embalming. The first part contains a brief historical review of the history of embalming, starting with ancient cultures such as the Egyptians and the lesser known Chinchorro culture, then going down the centuries and describing the anatomical techniques developed over the last two centuries. The second part deals in detail with the chemicals used for embalming purposes. The third part deals with several approaches to evaluating embalming methods, their suitability for biomechanical testing, antimicrobial properties, histological appearance, and usability. The fourth and final part analyze the European Biocidal Products Directive (98/8/EC) in the light of embalming.

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“…The replacement of the Gundelia tournefortii by Helichrysum spp., taken alongside the whole set of sindonic entomogamous species, suggests the use of botanical products that were widely used in ancient funeral and burial rituals, whose purpose in embalming the body was to delay decomposition, as well as to make burials smell less unpleasant. These 2000‐year‐old techniques using ointments, oils and perfumed balsams were unusual in Europe, with some reported exceptions during the Roman Empire (Papageorgopoulou et al ; Brenner ). Pliny the Elder and Dioscorides assembled the knowledge of many other earlier Roman, Greek and Asian writers, information that was read throughout a broad region of the world, remaining valid until the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pollen on the Shroud of Turin: The Probable Trace Left by Anointing and Embalming

Boi

2016

Archaeometry

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This study proposes an alternative interpretation of the pollen grains found on the Christian relic of the Shroud of Turin, the majority of which belong to entomogamous plants. The examination of the images in the literature and the observation of modern pollen under light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy reveal that the most abundant pollen on the relic may be attributed to the genus Helichrysum (Asteraceae family) instead of Gundelia tournefortii. The other most important pollen found belongs to the Cistaceae-Cistus spp.the Apiaceae-probably Ferula spp.-and the Anacardianceae-the genus Pistacia. These pollen grains could have come from plants used to obtain expensive and valuable substances that would have been the basis for the oils of Helichrysum, ladanum and galbanum, as well as for mastic and terebinth products; this fact has not been considered by previous authors. Ancient historical records give us references that could link the pollen traces to a mixture of balms and ointments employed for preparing the body for funeral and burial. For this reason, the palynological study reveals coherency with these historical records about the rituals, as reported on by the important scientists Pliny the Elder and Dioscorides, dating back to the first century AD.

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Indications of embalming in Roman Greece by physical, chemical and histological analysis

Cited by 29 publications

References 39 publications

On the Embalmment of S. Francesco Caracciolo

On the Embalmment of S. Francesco Caracciolo

Human body preservation – old and new techniques

Pollen on the Shroud of Turin: The Probable Trace Left by Anointing and Embalming

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