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German researchers recreate ancient scent of Egyptian mummification

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German researchers from the Max Planck Institute have used cutting-edge technology to identify and recreate the scent used in the mummification of a significant Egyptian woman.

The study, which resulted in the outcome of the mummification, showed a painted and gilded cedar outer coffin lid of Pinudjem II’s wife, Princess Nesikhonsu, usurped from Istemkheb and inner coffin lid or mummy board of Pinudjem I, all of Egyptian nobility.

According to Barbara Huber, the lead researcher at Max Planck, the study focuses on the substances employed to embalm noblewoman Senetnay around 1,450 BC.

“Her remains were discovered in the Valley of the Kings in 1900 by British archaeologist Howard Carter, renowned for his 1923 discovery of King Tutankhamen’s tomb,” Huber said.

“To uncover the secrets of Senetnay’s mummification balm, the team collected minuscule residue samples from two canopic jars that had once held her lungs and liver,” Huber explained

“We only had tiny remains, tiny traces of the mummification balm, the substance she was covered with for the afterlife.

“We took samples from these canopic jars and analyzed the mummification balm. Based on its molecular composition, we could identify the ancient scent of eternity or the afterlife,” she added.

The team’s analysis revealed a complex mixture of ingredients in the balms, including beeswax, plant oils, fats, resins, balsamic substances, and more, Huber said.

She added that the findings further shed light on the mummification process and the extensive trade networks of ancient Egypt, with ingredients originating from Central Europe, Southeast Asia, the Mediterranean, and locally available substances like beeswax.

“Some ingredients proved challenging to identify, with one potentially originating from the resin of a dammar gum tree found exclusively in Southeast Asia. If confirmed, this discovery could demonstrate the far-reaching influence of ancient Egypt, spanning up to 4,000 kilometers.

“This unique olfactory experience is now part of an exhibition at Denmark’s Moesgaard Museum, titled “Ancient Egypt – Obsessed with Life.”

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Ghana’s Afua Asantewaa begins second GWR sing-a-thon attempt

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Ghanaian singer, Afua Asantewaa, on Saturday, began her second attempt at breaking the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the longest singing marathon by an individual.

The sing-a-thon which began in the early hours of Saturday, December 21, at Heroes’ Park, Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, will run until December 25, and will see the determined songstress perform non-stop, focusing exclusively on Ghanaian songs.

According to Asantewaa’s manager, Madam Gladys Osei Owiredu, the audacious initiative is aimed at showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Ghanaian music to a global audience.

Owiredu confirmed that preparations for the event had been extensive but expressed confidence in Asantewaa’s readiness to finally break the record.

“I can confirm that she is ready for the task ahead. It’s been challenging—by way of preparations—but I can say she is ready,” Owiredu said.

Asantewaa’s second attempt follows her first effort in December 2023, which fell short of surpassing the current record of 105 hours held by India’s Sunil Waghmare.

But despite the setback, her team remains optimistic about breaking the record this time with corporate sponsors including International Maritime Hospital, Ghana Gas, Nasco Electronics, and Zoomlion Ghana Limited rallying behind her, underscoring the importance of the attempt in amplifying the global significance of Ghanaian music.

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Ghana’s Supreme Court dismisses suit challenging anti-LGBT bill

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Ghana’s Supreme Court has dismissed two separate suits challenging the legality of one of the proposed anti-LGBT legislations awaiting assent into law by the president.

The separate suits were filed by two legal practitioners, Amanda Odoi and Richard Sky, challenging the bill, seeking to declare it illegal and prevent the president from signing it.

The two cases had challenged the constitutionality of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.

But in a ruling on Wednesday, the Supreme Court unanimously decided to dismiss the legal challenges to the new anti-LGBT legislation that has been criticised by rights groups.

The controversial bill was passed earlier this year by Ghanaian lawmakers with three years imprisonment for people identifying as LGBT and five years for forming or funding LGBT groups.

While dismissing the cases, presiding judge, Justice Avril Lovelace-Johnson, who delivered the ruling on behalf of the seven-member panel, said the cases were premature.

“Until there’s presidential assent, there is no act, the two cases were “unanimously dismissed,” she said.

The ruling is the latest blow to the LGBTQ community in Ghana and paves the way for the president to sign into law what many say is one of Africa’s most restrictive piece of anti-LGBTQ legislation.

President Nana Akufo-Addo, whose term in office ends on 7 January, had delayed signing it pending the outcome of the Supreme Court challenge but the judges said the case could not be reviewed until it had been signed it into law.

It expected that incoming president, John Mahama, will sign the bill into law as he had always expressed his support for the bill during his electioneering campaigns.

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