Natron
Natron was used as basis for cremes. It was also used in the process of mummification, food preservation and soap creation.
Lotus
Perfumes were significant for burials due to the fact that lotus was a key ingredient in most fragrances, and lotus was said to be associated with purification and rejuvenation.
Myrrh
Myrrh was one of the most preferred scents for the creation of perfumes in Egypt. The most popular and best-known perfume was kyphi. It was made of frankincense, myrrh, mastic, pine resin, cinnamon, cardamom, saffron, juniper, mint, and other herbs and spices.
Terebinth
In ancient Egypt terebinth-resin was used on different body parts (wounds, eyes) for disinfection or purification, but also for its conserving qualities to prepare mummies for eternal life. Even though the tree doesn’t grow there naturally and the resin had to be imported.
Castor oil
Castor oil is a natural plant oil obtained from the seed of the castor plant. According to the Ebers Papyrus, an Egyptian medical text from 1500 b.c., Egyptian doctors used castor oil to protect the eyes from irritation. Moreover it was used as oil to soften skin from people of lower classes.
Natural elements for production.
Jar containing an ointment Calcite, organic remains.
Deir el-Medina, Tomb of Kha. A simple container for ointments, whitout paintings and with a cheap material.
Jar containing an ointment Calcite, organic remains, silver.
Deir el-Medina, Tomb of Kha. A kind of precious container for ointemnts.
Jar containing a mixture of oils Calcite, linen.
Deir el-Medina, Tomb of Kha. This jar is still closed, the material it used to contain is still inside it.
Jar for one of the "seven sacred oils" Calcite.
The seven sacred oils were used in the mummification process. Perfumes and oils were important for Egyptians also in rituals.
Mummification image
A papyrus about dead shows how important ointments were for the egyptian sacral process of mummification and for the after death life.
Containers and other for oil and ointments.
Jar containing the remains of a perfumed ointment Calcite.
Deir el-Medina, Tomb of Kha.The rests found on this vase show that it contained perfumed oil.
Bottle Faience.
Deir el-Medina, Tomb of Kha. Faience was widely used in the production of such kind of small perfume container.
Glass jar.
Deir el-Medina, Tomb of Kha. Glass is a not a so common material in the jars production of that period.
Toiletries box Wood.
Deir el-Medina, Tomb of Kha. This is a kind of box used for perfume and cosmetics conservation. The box whitin all the other smaller boxes were kept
Fragment of Pliny.
“Egypt was the greatest producer of unguents and creams, the most refined substances came from the Nile Delta and were kept inside pretty jars made of alabaster, pottery or glass [...]“
Container and more for perfumed oils.
