Add new findings from ancient Egyptian mummies

Through dental chemistry analysis, scientists pointed out that ancient Egyptian civilization had to live in harsh environments.

Through chemical analysis of the teeth of Egyptian mummies, scientists have recently shown that the weather in the Nile valley is extremely arid in the period from 5,500 to 1,500 BC, even in the background. Ancient Egyptian civilization is on the flourishing development.

Christophe Lecuyer, a geochemist at the University of Lyon (France), said: "Ancient Egyptian civilization has maintained its long-term stability despite the great impact of the environment - aridness. Which limits the development of resources related to agriculture and animal husbandry ".

The teeth of an Egyptian mummy were chosen for research

Many previous studies have shown a significant relationship between the crises during the existence of the Ancient Kingdom of Egypt (Old Kingdom) in the 3rd millennium BC.

Lecuyer and his colleagues also found signs of aridity before Egypt was conquered by Alexander the Great in the sixth century BC. However, this new study clearly points out the short term matches, causing widespread famine in Egyptian history.

After taking a small amount of yeast in some teeth and analyzing it with Strontium isotopes, experts found that the mummy's teeth had a ratio of 2 oxygen isotopes (oxygen atoms with different neutron quantities) in Their diet and drinking water. The change in the ratio of isotopes indicated changes in rainfall in the region.

Mr. Lecuyer said: "Isotopes can also indicate the food that the ancients used to eat. We will continue to study and publish the supplementary results of the Egyptian diet in the near future." .