Scientists unlock secrets of ancient Egyptian materials with proteomics

Mass spectrometry-based proteomics was applied non-destructively to a wide range of Egyptian artifacts, revealing that their glues and adhesives contain animal collagens, egg proteins, and plant proteins from sesame and moringa cereals. The study also confirms the use of traditional pigments such as hematite, realgar, goethite, orpiment, Egyptian blue, Egyptian green, carbon black, and various calcium-based whites.