Plant Remains in Gut Contents of Ancient Egyptian Predynastic Mummies (3750 - 3300 BC)
Abstract:
153 burials of workers dated to 3750-3300 BC
were recovered at the Predynastic cemetery HK 43 of the archaeological
site in Hierakonpolis, 113 km north of Aswan, Egypt. Plant remains recovered
from the gut contents (thorax area) of nine intact burials (seven adults
and two children) were analyzed. The desiccated gut contents were rehydrated
by 0.5% trisodium phosphate aqueus solution and sorted under wet conditions
(water/alcohol), classified into two major categories: plant macro-
and micro-remains. The first group contained two seeds of melon (Cucumis
melo L.) and the second group included phytoliths and starch grains
separated from emmer wheat which proves that glumed grains of the emmer
wheat were subjected for grinding without dehusking. The most significant
result of the micro-botanical analysis of the gut contents is the identification
of two different diets: a coarse meal for adults and a fine cooked for
children.
How to cite this article
Ahmed Gamal-El-Din Fahmy , 2001. Plant Remains in Gut Contents of Ancient Egyptian Predynastic Mummies (3750 - 3300 BC). Journal of Biological Sciences, 1: 772-774.
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