How Old Egyptian Pigments Were Analyzed
An international team of restorers, historians, and archaeologists examined paint adhesives and binding media across 28 samples taken from 14 ancient Egyptian artifacts dated between 1425 BCE and 40 CE. Proteomics, the large-scale study of proteins, has become a key tool for identifying organic residues in ancient materials. By applying this method, the scientists identified plant-derived proteins in the paints, including sesame and Moringa oleifera. This is the first direct evidence that moringa was used in Egyptian artworks, a finding that challenges earlier assumptions about the techniques behind ancient Egyptian painting.
The artifact material came from Egyptian collections held in major museums. The team looked at paint layers on wooden coffins, fragments of tombs, and limestone architectural pieces. Under microscopes, the researchers extracted the samples using surgical needles and blades. Alongside sesame, they detected cereal and pollen allergens as well as moringa proteins. Objects containing moringa proteins were traced to two separate collections.
What the Findings Mean
Clara Granzotto, the study's lead author, said: "Our discovery questions long-held assumptions about ancient painting techniques and opens new avenues for understanding workshop practices, long-distance trade, and the religious and symbolic roles of these materials."
She further emphasized that "in ancient Egypt, the moringa tree was connected to Ptah, the patron deity of craftsmen and artisans." The use of moringa products may therefore have been a deliberate act by artisans seeking to bless or protect their work.
These results give researchers a fresh way to approach ancient Egyptian art and its materials, while also correcting the record on what substances were available to and chosen by its makers.
Such discoveries could profoundly reshape how we view Egyptian culture and artistic traditions. They suggest early artists may have employed materials previously unknown in ancient technology, opening up lines of inquiry into trade networks, religious beliefs, and social customs. The work also highlights how essential close examination of artifacts is for understanding historical civilizations.