AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF A POLYCHROME WOODEN COFFIN OF TAYUHERET'S MUMMY DATING BACK TO THE THIRD INTERMEDIATE PERIOD. (1054-1046 B.C. E).

The aim of this study is to identify the anatomical and stratigraphic structure of the components of one of the polychrome wooden coffins dating back to the third intermediate period which currently preserved at the Egyptian Museum. In this study scientific methods were used to examine the polychrome wooden coffin by using the Scanning Electron Microscope (S.E.M), X-ray diffraction, as well as analysis by using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy.

The results indicated that ancient Egyptians used imported cedar wood, red ochre (also known as hematite) to obtain the red colour, cadmium oxide for the yellow colour and finally added a layer of gypsum to the exterior of the coffin.

As a binding material, animal adhesive was used between the components and particles of the preparation layer, as well as the parts of the chromatic layer that were examined during this study.

1. Introduction

The ancient Egyptian faith believed that protecting the body after death was vital. Preserving the body is one of the most important priorities for the deceased to reach immortality and to enter the fields of “Iaru” or heaven in the netherworld. Hence, Egyptians had to endure a lot to preserve the body by completely isolating it from the surrounding environment by painting the body with embalming materials and using linen dipped in resin. Furthermore, wrapped the body in linen rolls of different shapes and properties. The wooden coffin underwent a lot of phases of development in order to serve the religious and ideological beliefs of the Egyptians. Wooden coffins had started off simple in form but later developed tremendously, especially by the New Kingdom and Late Period.