An Egyptian mummy of the Roman period with a painted  shroud: a multi-analytical study of its technical features
Creators: name: Ravan, Eva Luna
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2023

description: An Egyptian mummy of the Roman period with a painted shroud: a multi-analytical study of its technical features 

Anna Piccirillo(1), Paola Buscaglia(1,2) Federica Pozzi(1), Claudia Caliri(3), Francesco Paolo Romano(3),  Danilo Paolo Pavone(3), Eva Luna Ravan(3), Claudia Conti(4), Maria Catrambone (4),  Costanza Miliani, Ilaria Degano(6), Alessia Andreotti(6), Federica Nardella(6), Marco Samadelli(7), Alice Paladin(7), Roberta Genta(1), Michela Cardinali(1), Daniela Picchi(8) 

(1) Center for Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage "La Venaria Reale", Via XX Settembre 18, 10078 Venaria Reale (Torino), Italy;  (2) Politecnico di Torino, Dipartimento Scienza applicata e Tecnologia (DISAT), Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24, 10129 Torino, Italy (3) ISPC-CNR, Via Biblioteca 4, 95124, Catania, Italy; (4) ISPC-CNR, Via Cozzi 53, 20125 Milano, Italy  (5) ISPC-CNR, Via Cardinale Guglielmo Sanfelice, 8, 80134 Napoli, Italy (6) Università di Pisa, Dipartimento di Chimica e Chimica Industriale, Via Moruzzi 13, 56124, Pisa, Italy; (7) Institute for Mummy Studies, Eurac Research, Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy; (8) Museo Civico Archeologico di Bologna, Via dell’Archiginnasio 2, 40124 Bologna, Italy 

This contribution focuses on the technical study of a rare Egyptian mummy with a painted shroud belonging to the Museo Civico Archeologico of Bologna (MCABo EG 1974). Long stored in its warehouses, this artifact was recently rediscovered thanks to an interdisciplinary project promoted by the museum and the Institute for Mummy Studies of Eurac Research. The painted shroud was notably preserved in its original location around the mummy, to which is secured with textile straps and resin. Dating to the Roman period (1st–2nd century A.D.), confirmed by 14C analysis, it displays a series of technical features that are quite complex and unique. In this context, scientific analysis aimed to deepen our current understanding of the artistic practices of the Roman period through an in-depth study of the painting technique, context of production, and possible provenance of the Egyptian mummy and its shroud, while promoting an improved, science-informed preservation of the mummified human remains.  This research has relied on an integrated analytical protocol based on imaging techniques, non-invasive spot analysis and mapping, and micro-invasive investigation of samples, carried out at different partnering institutions. Computed tomography highlighted, among other things, varying radio-densities for some of the flesh tones and red decorations. Visible diffuse and raking light photography, infrared reflectography and false color processing, ultravioletinduced visible fluorescence, and visible-induced infrared luminescence provided preliminary information on the nature and distribution of various materials on the surface. FORS, XRF, and Raman contributed to the characterization of the color palette employed for the painted shroud, offering insight into the use of mineral pigments and dyes derived from plants or insects. A combination of transmission FTIR and chromatographic techniques was used to identify the paint binders’ molecular class and any additional organic substances involved in embalming practices and ritual traditions. Through access to MOLAB equipment and expertise, XRF imaging, 1D confocal XRF, as well as XRD spot analysis and mapping integrated the study by providing a conclusive identification of the inorganic pigments. Finally, mineralogical data on surface deposits and soil residues found on the mummy allowed the team to put forward hypotheses on its provenance, previously unknown.