Greek Mummy

Scientists have recently found a middle-aged Thracian woman partially mummified in about A.D. 300 and put inside lead coffin (evidently, inside a marble sarcophagus that was found in 1962). The mummified woman's corpse was wrapped in bandages, then covered with expensive gold-embroidered silk. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray analysis, gas chromatography and mass spectrometry have revealed the probable means of mummification, which included myrrh, fats, and resins, according to Discovery News, which says the analysis will be published in the Journal of Archaeological Science. The ancient Greeks knew essential oils and resins had properties that we describe as antibacterial and antimicrobial. Cause of the presumed wealthy woman's death has not been determined.

Source: Discovery News