Mediterranean resins in New Kingdom Egypt : a multidisciplinary approach to trade and usage
Resins were widely used in ancient Egypt for a variety of purposes, including as incense, as varnish, in cosmetic and ritual preparations and in mummification. However, as Egypt had virtually no internal sources, these resins would have been obtained through trade. Although Egypt's contacts with the south for resin are well-known, little is known of the Mediterranean resin trade. This study took a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating not only archaeological information, but also botanical data, chemical residue analysis and microscopic examination of pottery fabrics to find evidence of this trade. Each of the above mentioned usages was studied. Resins and resinous products subsequently identified included pistacia resin and pitch, Pinaceae resin, including coniferous pitch, cedar resin and cedar-scented products. These usages indicated a high level of demand for Mediterranean resins. Study of amphorae imported from Syria-Palestine to the site of Tell el- Amarna indicated a strong link between resin trade and Canaanite storage jars. The study of the distribution of these jars, in Egypt, Israel and on the contemporary shipwreck at Ulu Burun, Turkey, provided valuable information on Mediterranean resin trade.
Serpico, Margaret Teresa
Archaeology
Mediterranean resins in New Kingdom Egypt : a multidisciplinary approach to trade and usage. Resins were widely used in ancient Egypt for a variety of purposes, including as incense, as varnish, in cosmetic and ritual preparations and in mummification. However, as Egypt had virtually no internal sources, these resins would have been obtained through trade. Although Egypt's contacts with the south for resin are well-known, little is known of the Mediterranean resin trade. This study took a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating not only archaeological information, but also botanical data, chemical residue analysis and microscopic examination of pottery fabrics to find evidence of this trade. Each of the above mentioned usages was studied. Resins and resinous products subsequently identified included pistacia resin and pitch, Pinaceae resin, including coniferous pitch, cedar resin and cedar-scented products. These usages indicated a high level of demand for Mediterranean resins. Study of amphorae imported from Syria-Palestine to the site of Tell el- Amarna indicated a strong link between resin trade and Canaanite storage jars. The study of the distribution of these jars, in Egypt, Israel and on the contemporary shipwreck at Ulu Burun, Turkey, provided valuable information on Mediterranean resin trade.
mediterranean new_kingdom_egypt multidisciplinary trade usage widely_use ancient_egypt variety purpose include ritual preparation mummification however egypt virtually internal source resin would obtain trade although egypt contact south resin well_known little_known mediterranean resin trade study take multidisciplinary incorporate archaeological information also botanical data chemical residue_analysis microscopic examination pottery fabric evidence trade mention usage study product subsequently identify include resin pitch resin include pitch resin product usage indicate_high level demand mediterranean resin study amphorae import syria_palestine site_tell amarna indicate strong_link resin trade canaanite storage jar study distribution jar egypt israel contemporary shipwreck turkey provide_valuable information mediterranean resin trade