Scientists unlock secrets of ancient Egyptian materials with proteomics
摘要
研究人员利用基于质谱的蛋白质组学技术，对一批埃及文物中的胶黏剂进行分析，发现了动物胶原蛋白、蛋类蛋白以及芝麻和辣木等植物蛋白。相关成果发表于《科学进展》。由于全面分析通常需要取样并可能损伤珍贵文物，非破坏性技术的发展正助力揭示古埃及颜料、黏合剂等材料的精确成分，并推动文物保护工作。
The precise composition of ancient Egyptian paints, binders, adhesives, and similar materials used to make artifacts is largely unknown, in part because a full analysis would require taking samples that would damage those valuable artifacts. The development of cutting-edge, non-destructive techniques has been helping to unlock those secrets, aiding conservation efforts.
Most recently, researchers have used mass spectrometry-based proteomics to analyze the glues and adhesives in a broad set of Egyptian artifacts, according to a new paper published in the journal Science Advances. They found plenty of expected sources, such as animal collagens and egg proteins, but also plant proteins, specifically from sesame and drumstick tree (moringa) cereals.
As previously reported, the ancient Egyptians had a highly formalized (and easily recognizable) painting style, and there has been considerable interest in gaining insights into the specific pigments and painting techniques employed. Common pigments included hematite and realgar for red; goethite and orpiment for yellow; Egyptian blue; Egyptian green; carbon-based black; and calcite, gypsum, anhydrite, and huntite for white. (Just last year, Washington State University researchers were able to re-create Egyptian blue by mixing together silicon dioxide, copper, calcium, and sodium carbonate in varying proportions and heating them at very high temperatures akin to those of ancient kilns.)
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