Rediscovering Nestawedjat: Embalming residue analyses reunite the mummified remains of an ancient Egyptian woman with her coffins

A previously unidentified mummified individual from Ancient Thebes, held by the British Museum, has been definitively linked to her original set of three coffins through advanced residue analysis. Using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS), researchers identified matching embalming residues—comprising beeswax, fat/oil, and possibly coniferous resins or oils—on the mummy’s bandages and the innermost coffin. This rare combination, devoid of resin, tar, or bituminous components, confirmed her association with the coffins, which entered the collection together. Initially misassigned as male due to earlier X-rays, CT scanning re-established her sex, revealing Nestawedjat, a woman from Thebes dating to around 700 BCE. This interdisciplinary study bridges gaps in provenance, offering new insights into ancient Egyptian mortuary practices and the significance of embalming materials.

Vandenbeusch, M., Stacey, R., & Antoine, D. (2021). Rediscovering Nestawedjat: Embalming residue analyses reunite the mummified remains of an ancient Egyptian woman with her coffins. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 40, 103186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2021.103186