Culture

German researchers recreate ancient scent of Egyptian mummification

Published

7 months ago

October 23, 2023

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.”

Related Topics:Egypt Featured Mummification

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Culture

South African actor dies tragically in car accident

Published

1 day ago

May 6, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

South African actor, Mpho Sebeng, has reportedly died in a ghastly car accident in in Potchefstroom, North West province, his family said in a statement on Monday.

The actor’s family which confirmed that the 30-year-old died in the tragic accident which happened on Sunday, has appealed for privacy as they grapple with this devastating news.

“The family of the South African entertainer, Mpho Sebeng, are saddened to confirm, to the public and media, that their son has indeed passed away,” the family statement said.

“Mpho met his untimely death in the early hours of Sunday, 5 May 2024, due to a tragic car accident in Potchefstroom.

“Whilst the family appreciates the immense outpouring of love and condolences, the family requests some space to process the news,” the statement added.

According to local media, Sebeng, a celebrated figure in South Africa’s entertainment landscape, had a career spanning nearly two decades, marked by remarkable performances and accolades.

His journey in acting commenced at the tender age of 12, catapulting him into the spotlight of television.

“Among his notable works are appearances in TV dramas like “Justice For All” and “Zero Tolerance,” both of which received widespread acclaim and numerous awards.

“During his high school years, he portrayed a role in the 2011 film “Winnie,” a biographical depiction of the late Winnie Mandela’s life.

“His talent was further recognized when he was nominated for Best Male Actor in a telenovela at the 2018 South African Film and Television Awards.

“Sebeng’s repertoire extended to international platforms, including roles in Netflix productions such as “Savage Beauty” and “Miseducation.”

“Sebeng was born in Soweto on 1 December 1992 and matriculated in 2011 at West Ridge High School. His achievements at school included full colours for drama.

“He made his television debut in the SABC drama series, Justice for All as well as Zero Tolerance.

“His first major TV role was in the Mzansi Magic drama, Ring of Lies, which earned him a Best Actor Safta nomination in 2018. Since then, Sebeng has showcased his talent in a variety of shows, such as “Savage Beauty”, “The Brave Ones” and “Miseducation” on Netflix, “The Queen”, “The Throne”, “Zbondiwe”, “Scandal” and “Hush Money.”

Culture

Burna Boy emerges Africa’s top earning artiste in the US from tours, concerts

Published

2 days ago

May 5, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

Nigerian Afrobeats sensation,
Burna Boy, has emerged as the first African artiste to stage the highest-grossing arena concerts and tours in the United States of America.

International rating platform, Touring Data, which provides a PDF and spreadsheet with ticket count information for tours in the US and Canada, in a post on X, said the “Common Man” crooner beat his record set in 2022 after he generated $1.593 million, (over N2 billion), at his TD Garden in Boston on March 2.

‘‘Burna Boy earns the highest-grossing arena concert by an African artist in US history with $1.593 million at TD Garden in Boston on March 2, 2024, surpassing his numbers at Madison Square Garden in 2022,” Touring Data stated.

The platform also noted that one of Burna Boy’s “I Told Them” tour sold out by large margins in Scotiabank Arena, Montreal and Toronto in Canada, Boston in the US, and Cologne in Germany.

Touring Data also stated that over 124,706 tickets valued at $93.50 on average were sold at the “I Told Them” tour.

“Revenue-wise, $11,659,531, or about N16 billion, was realised via the ticket sales,” the data platform said.

“Shortly after dropping the highly anticipated video for “City Boys”, Burna Boy announced his I Told Them… Tour.

“Produced by Live Nation, the 16-city tour kicked off on 3 November at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.

“It marked Burna Boy’s first-ever performance in a Los Angeles stadium. He toured other American cities, including Houston, Chicago, Toronto, and more, before wrapping up in Atlanta at State Farm Arena on March 9th.

“Nine months earlier, the “African Giant” had a sold-out show at Citi Field, New York, making him the first Nigerian artiste to headline a stadium in America.

“BMO Stadium’s website said the singer commanded a crowd of more than 40,000 fans, including celebrities like Busta Rhymes, SZA, NBA star Mo Bamba, NFL Star Larry Ogunjobi, and British rapper Dave, who joined him on stage for a performance of his (Burna Boy’s) hit song “Location.”

“This history-making performance followed his landmark London Stadium performance, where Burna Boy made history as the first African to headline a stadium in the U.K.

“With his Madison Square Garden performance, the singer again made history as the first Nigerian musician to sell out The World’s Most Famous Arena.

“The global giant once again made history with his recently released album “I TOLD THEM…” after it debuted at #1 on the official U.K. Albums chart, making him the first international African artiste to earn the title,” it stated.