Mummies provide the key to reconstruct the climate of the ancient Mediterranean

Phys dot org ^ | April 4, 2023 | Swiss National Science Foundation

[SunkenCiv]

The team is aided in its tasks by remarkable "Rosetta stones" in the form of wooden labels attached to Roman-era mummies. Before sending their deceased loved one to the embalmer, families would attach a label bearing the dead person's name, the names of their parents and sometimes a short religious message to the body. The labels were a way of identifying the deceased, who would no longer be recognizable once wrapped in their bandages, and ensuring that embalmers did not mix bodies up.

The wooden labels provide more information than just the identity of Pkyris, the defunct son of Besis and Senpnouth, or the late Tsenpetese, daughter of Panahib. They also contain precious information about the climate at the time because, like all wooden artifacts, they have growth rings. Each ring marks the passing of one year. Good years are indicated by broad rings, since the tree grew faster. Narrower rings can be evidence of years of drought.

A few pieces of wood are obviously not enough in themselves to reconstruct the climate of the time. It would be necessary to observe the same pattern in several dozen samples at least. The greater the number of overlaps, the more reliable the conclusions.

[SunkenCiv]

Comparison of two mummy labels. The label on the left (HO163) has a neat finish with a flattened inscribed surface, clean ends and an outline with a chamfer (BNU Strasbourg). The label on the right (F1949/4.2) has traces of sawing and a knot is present. Also, the corner cuts are different, and the left end is not straight.

Credit: International Journal of Wood Culture (2023). DOI: 10.1163-27723194-bja10017

More information: François Blondel et al, Mummy Labels: A Witness to the Use and Processing of Wood in Roman Egypt, International Journal of Wood Culture (2023). DOI: 10.1163/27723194-bja10017

[teeman8r]

but our models based on the notes on the wooden pieces indicate a temperature that was much cooler with less carbon.

[SunkenCiv]

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/04/ancient-mummy-labels-help-to-reconstruct-climate-of-roman-egypt/146786

[SunkenCiv]

Rank BS.

[butlerweave]

Ah , hot and dry ,LOL

[ProtectOurFreedom]

The research obsessions are always Climate, Sex, Climate, Sex, Climate, Sex, ad nauseam.

[SunkenCiv]

Stop being so darned logical.

[rktman]

Oh, has it changed?

[JSM_Liberty]

What about Daddies, didn’t they play any part?

[uranium penguin]

Were these people TERFs?!?!

Why were there no Preferred pronouns on the tags?

[nicollo]

Hmm, put those two pieces of wood together and you’ve got an ancient hocky stick.

Calling Michael Mann!

[Deplorable American1776]

Did they have any SUVs that contribute to Global Climate Change? Or maybe SUHs (Sports Utility Horses)! 🤓

[SunkenCiv]

Reminded me of the paddle in “Animal House”.

[SunkenCiv]

People who study mummies are, you guessed it, not wrapped too tight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipOvs4H5enE

[nicollo]