EGYPTOMICS · Paleoproteomics for cultural heritage conservation: biomolecular analysis of ancient Egyptian paint binders
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2017-10-01 → 2019-09-30
- EU contribution
- €200,195
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Paleoproteomics for cultural heritage conservation: biomolecular analysis of ancient Egyptian paint binders
A wide part of the artistic production of ancient Egypt civilization is surprisingly still available to us and it is carefully preserved in Egyptian collections spread worldwide. Protein-based materials such as animal glue, milk and egg have been mentioned in classical sources to be used as binding media and adhesives by ancient Egyptians, but a limited number of analytical studies have been conducted so far, leaving several questions open such as: were certain proteins preferred for specific applications? Are there differences/similarities among similar objects from different periods and geographical areas? Can we discriminate original from modern proteins? The correct identification of the proteinaceous paint binder, as well as the characterisation of its molecular damage, are fundamental for understanding the technology behind artistic painting in ancient cultures and for the development of proper conservation treatments compatible with the original materials. In addition, preserving and investigating the museum’s collections is fundamental for the benefit of present and future generations. The project’s aim is to shed light on ancient Egyptian artists’ technique by identifying the biological species of origin, as well as molecular damage, of proteins used as binding media and adhesive in ancient Egypt painted artefacts dating 3000 BC - 600 AD by applying state-of-the-art high resolution mass spectrometry-based proteomic strategies (palaeoproteomics). The three main objectives were to (i) identify the animal species used to produce proteinaceous binding media and adhesive; (ii) investigate objects of different nature (material, purpose etc.), periods and geographical area to evaluate trends/differences in protein use; and (iii) study the ancient protein degradation profile to discover undocumented modern conservation treatments.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
This project aims to identify the biological species of origin, as well as molecular damage, of proteins used as binding media in ancient Egypt painted artifacts and architecture specimens dating 3000 BC - 600 AD by applying mass spectrometry-based proteomic strategies.A wide part of the artistic production of ancient Egypt civilization is surprisingly still available to us and it is carefully preserved in Egyptian collections spread worldwide. Proteins represent a widely used category of paint binders in ancient Egypt but, at present, only few analyses have been undertaken, leaving several questions open such as: were different proteins preferred for different applications? Did they differ according to period and geographical area? How did proteins in paint formulations modify over millennia? Protein-based samples from ancient Egyptian painted objects will be analysed using state-of-the-art proteomics strategies by high-resolution mass spectrometry. A first screening of the samples will be performed at the British Museum while bottom-up, top-down and quantitative proteomic approaches will be accomplished at the Centre for GeoGenetics. The correct identification of the proteinaceous paint binder, as well as of its biochemical damage, will contribute to understand the artistic technology and to develop proper conservation treatments compatible with the original materials to preserve our cultural heritage for future generations. The Researcher’s skill in analytical chemistry for the investigation of cultural heritage materials, as well as her network with museums and curatorial departments, will be beneficial to the host institution, especially because of the ‘TEMPERA’ European Training Networking coordinated by the main supervisor. At the same time, by receiving advanced, dedicated, research based training on ancient proteomics, her expertise will be significantly enriched, with clear benefits for her future professional career.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- KOBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET · KOBENHAVNCoordinatorDenmark
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union