Stories about Egypt
Fragments Reveal Previously Unknown Fourth-Century Roman Law Book
A University of Cincinnati scholar and the Penn Museum have joined 50 animal-skin fragments into a double-sided page from a late-fourth-century Roman legal text. The Latin manuscript discusses taxation and public infrastructure but does not match any previously known imperial legal code.
Proteins Reveal Complex Paint Recipes in Ancient Egyptian Artworks
A study of 28 microscopic samples from 14 Egyptian artworks has identified animal glues from several species along with plant proteins linked to sesame and moringa. The findings suggest painters may have used seed-processing byproducts, offering new information for both ancient craft history and conservation.
Study Identifies Animal and Plant Proteins in Ancient Egyptian Paints
Researchers analyzed 28 paint samples from 14 Egyptian artifacts dated from 1425 B.C. to A.D. 400. Cattle collagen was the most common binding material, while proteins from other animals and plants indicate a broader range of ingredients in ancient paint adhesives.