Modern-day humans aren't the only ones who care about their
appearance.
Egyptologists at the University of Manchester have discovered a
gel-like substance, used to hold hair in elaborate styles, in
mummies more than 3,000 years old. Archaeologists analysed hair
samples from male and female mummies aged between 4 to 58 years.
The bodies were retrieved from a burial site at the Dakhleh Oasis
in Egypt.
During the investigations, the archaeologists found that many of
the mummies' hairdos were held together with a waxy, gel-like
substance. Further analysis of this "gel" revealed that it was
composed largely of fats, mainly palmitic and stearic acid. In
modern times, you find palmitic acid in coconut oil, butter and
animal fat. Stearic acid is a main component of animal fats, and
cocoa and shea butter. Palmitic acid and stearic acid are both used
in beauty products today, but the ancient Egyptians got there well
before we did!
Palmitic acid and stearic acid
were used in ancient Egyptian hair gel and they're still used in
beauty products today!
Interestingly, in addition to discovering the hair gel, the
scientists also discovered what could be called "curling tongs"
next to the bodies. The curling tongs were probably used to hold
the hair in place while the gel was applied - as the gel solidified
it held the curls in place.
Further work is underway to characterise the hair gel completely
- such an analysis will give us valuable clues to the lifestyle of
the ancient Egyptians.
Have a look at this video which shows you some examples of
ancient hairdos - try one yourself!
You can do your own research on Egyptian hairstyles by visiting
the Egyptology section at your local museum - do you think their
hair styles were more imaginative than ours?
Nowadays, cosmetic scientists design our hair gels. Do you want
to be a cosmetic scientist? Try making your own lip
balm!
By Zara Mahmoud