Ancient Egyptian Paint Proteins Identified by Scientists
Researchers discovered animal and plant proteins in paint samples dating from 1425 BCE to 400 CE.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Botany
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Scientists have identified various plant and animal proteins within 28 paint and glue samples taken from 14 ancient Egyptian objects. The findings suggest that ancient painters utilized materials like sesame, moringa, and cattle collagen in their work.
Why it matters
The study indicates that ancient Egyptian workshops likely relied on locally available materials rather than adhering to standardized recipes. This evidence provides insight into the practical techniques and resources used by artists over an 1,800-year span.
Researchers utilized infrared light screening and proteomics testing to break proteins into fragments for database matching. Analysis revealed 35 sesame protein fragments in a sample from the Tomb of Nebamun.
The players
British Museum
This London-based institution houses a significant collection of artifacts from ancient civilizations.
Medelhavsmuseet
This Stockholm museum holds an extensive collection of Mediterranean and Near Eastern antiquities.
Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
This Copenhagen museum is known for its major collection of ancient sculptures and artifacts.
The details
The analysis revealed that animal glues were derived from a variety of sources including sheep, goats, donkeys, and horses. Additionally, scientists identified wheat and barley proteins in tomb paintings, though they found no evidence of yeast in those samples.
Timeline
The tested objects date from approximately 1425 BCE to 400 CE.
The Tomb of Nebamun was painted around 1350 BCE.
The Big Picture
This discovery shifts the paradigm of ancient painting techniques by confirming the use of opportunistic ingredient sourcing. It updates the long-held hypothesis that ancient workshops followed strict, uniform recipes for their artistic materials.
This research provides a deeper understanding of historical agricultural and chemical practices in Egypt. These insights may eventually inform better conservation techniques for protecting ancient artifacts from modern environmental degradation.
The takeaway
These findings reveal that ancient artists were resourceful, often repurposing residues from agricultural oil production into their paints. Understanding these ancient mixtures helps modern experts better preserve cultural heritage for future generations.
What happens next
The authors have announced plans to conduct further testing on a broader array of painted objects to determine how common these specific protein ingredients were in ancient workshops.
Further reading
Explore more regarding plant-based historical research in our Botany section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Earth.
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Does learning new details about ancient artistic techniques change your appreciation for historical human creativity?
