Ancient Egypt were early chemists

[guy]

Here is an interesting article that suggests that ancient Egypt developed the early study of chemistry, predating the Greeks. Close analysis has shown a high level of chemistry sophistication in fields of cosmetics, medicine, mummification, and metallurgy.

Ancient makeup was analyzed showing compounds that were synthetically produced.

 

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One of the most important pieces of the jigsaw of ancient Egyptian chemistry is the discovery of synthetic lead pigments used in the kohl eye make-up worn by ancient Egyptians, dating back to 2000BCE. Published in 1999, chemical analyses carried out by Philippe Walter at the Louvre Museum in Paris, France, showed that the well preserved compounds contained in the Louvre’s collection of ancient Egyptian make-up pots included natural pigments galena (PbS) and cerussite (PbCO3), but also laurionite (Pb(OH)Cl) and the white powder phosgenite (Pb2Cl2CO3). Both are rarely found naturally and are unlikely to be the decomposition products of anything that is.

 

Egyptian blue is believed to be the first synthetic pigment.

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A close analysis of some of their preparations indicates that Ancient Egyptians were familiar with the principles of oxidation and reduction, could control the pH of a solution and were successful in preparing novel compounds through a controlled technology of chemical synthesis.

Natural deposits of Natron, used to preserve bodies.

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By the pharaonic period, the ancient Egyptians had stepped up their mummification game, largely due to the use of natron, a mineral deposit consisting of hydrated sodium carbonate with additional sodium salts (bicarbonate, chloride and sulfate), found in Wadi Natrun in northern Egypt. Buckley suspects it was first used in solution to preserve organs around 2600BCE, once the Egyptians realised that removing them from the body would aid preservation. Buckley believes that this shows the Egyptians understood that natron was more than just a desiccant, but had more extensive preservative properties.

https://www.chemistryworld.com/features/unwrapping-ancient-egyptian-chemistry/4016457.article

Edited November 21, 2022 by guy