#tomb

#tomb

1,000-Year-Old Gold Mask from a Sicán Tomb in Peru was Painted with Human BloodA mask painted with bright red color was discovered when archeologists excavated the tomb of an elite 40–50-year-old man from the Sicán culture of Peru thirty years ago. The researchers reported that after analyzing the paint, they discovered that the red pigment contained blood and bird egg proteins.In the early 90s, a team of archeologists and conservators led by Izumi Shimada excavated a tomb where an elite man’s seated skeleton was painted and was upside down at the center of the chamber. A red-painted gold mask that covered the man’s face was also found. At the time, scientists identified the paint as cinnabar but Luciana de Costa Carvalho, scientist and colleagues wondered what the Sicán people used in the paint mix to keep the layer attached to the metal surface for 1000 years.The researchers went on and analyzed a small sample of the red paint on the mask. Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy revealed that the sample contained proteins. Six proteins from human blood in the red paint were identified. The Muscovy duck’s eggshells were a likely candidate to be used in the paint mix as well.#BloodPainting #BloodMask #Archeology #TombImage Credit: Journal of Proteome

Human Remains are Best-preserved Ever Found in PompeiiWhen we read about the excavations at Pompeii, we are always impressed with how the bodies found tell the remarkable story of the chaos of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. While the victims of the volcano are remarkably preserved, thebest preserved body found yet is that of a man who died before the disaster. He was a former slave who achieved some notoriety, and was buried when most residents were cremated.The remains of Marcus Venerius Secundio were found in a tomb at the necropolis of Porta Sarno, which was one of the main entrance gates into the city. The tomb is believed to date back to the decades before Pompeii was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD79.What have been described as the best-preserved human remains ever discovered in Pompeii include Secundio’s white hair and a partially visible ear. Initial tests show he died at about the age of 60.The inscriptions that accompany Secundio's tomb tell us a lot about what was going on in Pompeii before it was destroyed. Read about the find at The Guardian. -via Damn Interesting #Pompeii #mummy #archaeology #MountVesuvius #volcano #tomb #necropolis

Ancient Necropolis Found with 4th Century Skeletons Buried in Massive Ceramic JarsCroatian archaeologists have unearthed a necropolis dating back to the late 4th/early 5th century. Digs in the burial grounds, located on Hvar island in the Adriatic Sea, revealed that some of the remains were buried inside ceramic jars.From ARTNews:The necropolis is well-preserved and contains 20 graves with the remains of 32 individuals. Researchers also found a wealth of goods, including intact amphorae, oil lamps, glass bottles, money, and examples of pottery and ceramics.A range of tombs, from simple graves to built structures with roof tiles, were unearthed at the site. One tomb contained 12 skeletons, and was completely walled in with stonework. Some remains and grave goods were interred and sealed inside large amphorae. Further research is required to provide more details on funerary customs from the 2nd to the 5th centuries C.E., and the team plans to conduct radiocarbon dating on the various layers of remains.#necropolist #archaeology #Croatia #ceramicjar #burial #skeleton #tomb #gravesImage: Kantharos