Laboratories Category: Scientific Laboratories

The establishment of the two ancient DNA laboratories at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and the Egyptian Museum is considered an important step towards the study of human kinship and disease as well as the ecology in ancient Egypt. It is crucial to emphasize that the duplication of the laboratories is to ensure the accuracy and precision of the resulting data through replication studies. They are considered as the first reference laboratories for the ancient DNA studies of humans, animals, and plants in Africa. The two laboratories aim to establish well-developed methods for ancient DNA extraction and analysis from different bio-archaeological samples to be served in the future as a routine test. The two research teams of the labs have already published a number of highly cited articles in a number of high ranked journals.

Recently, the ancient DNA lab at the NMEC has received a capacity-building grant from the Science, Technology and Innovation funding Authority (STIFA) to finance the procurement of a next-generation sequencing system to establish “A next-generation sequencing unit for metagenomic analysis of ancient Egyptian biological remains and artifacts”. The laboratories are currently participating in a collaborative project with the Swiss mission in studying the biological remains of two ancient Egyptian tombs. The laboratories are as well participating in the elaboration and implementation of the royal mummies’ project studies that are expected to be among the NMEC’s unique collections by the end of 2020.

The human remains lab is responsible for scientifically studying ancient skeletal and mummified human remains. Human remains studies are integral as it increases our knowledge of the past of humans and their spread around the world. It enables the researchers to comprehend the external differences between populations. By studying human remains scholars are able to predict, analyze, and critically assess the different aspects of human life, including their health conditions, their habits, the types of ancient diseases, and much other information.

Using physical anthropology techniques on the ancient skeletons and mummified human remains gives us information about people’s lives such as where they came from, their sex and age at death, and the cause of death. The age of remains used to establish the percentage of old people, mature adults, youth, and children found in burial sites. These numbers are used to calculate infant mortality rates and average life expectancy, and health in ancient societies. This provided a good opportunity to research family relations and the work that the family members did and giving us a better understanding of past life and how people interact with their environment.

By studying the bones of several ancient skeletons we can improve our understanding of population nutrition, parasites that have infected humans, and diseases in past centuries. This provides us with insight into the spread and origin of diseases that have affected humans for centuries. Moreover, this promotes a better understanding of the medicine and health of previous generations and societies and gives answers to some of the medical questions of our time. Thus, helping in developing medications.

The research focus of this lab is twofold, first: paleo-anthropological studies based on the research work with skeletal and mummified human remains using advanced paleo-pathological and paleo-radiological noninvasive methods. Second: a biochemical analysis using wet-chemical applications and microscopy.

Archaeobotany is the study of archaeological plant remains. The archaeobotanical analysis aims to explore how humans exploited the plant kingdom; whether using plants as food, fuel, building materials such as household furniture, or in other industries such as pottery and brick production. In addition, the science of archaeobotany investigates agricultural practices, the trade-in crops, and agricultural products (which in turn allows the study of ancient economies within a certain timeframe). It also aims to understand and re-imagine paleo-environments.

Archaeobotanical Research Unit

The archaeobotanical research unit at the NMEC plays an important role, as it studies the output of the ministry’s excavations or excavations from outside the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, and provides research-dedicated facilities and staff to create capacity, opportunity, and supportive environment to:

• Promote the critical study and analysis of archaeobotany in Egypt.
• Support researchers by providing the necessary equipment and facilitates.
• Create a herbarium of modern plants as a reference collection.
• Train archaeologists in sampling and studying plant materials.
• Encourage archaeological missions to develop and follow a strategy for sampling and studying archaeological plants.

The laboratory could isolate and identify different microorganisms (fungi, bacteria, and yeasts) from different places and surfaces, including organic and inorganic monuments.

The microbiology laboratory studies also the most appropriate methods for treating and eliminating microbial contamination whether it is on the monuments or the surrounding environment. The laboratory also allows researchers and scholars to conduct some tests.

Also, the laboratory is equipped with specialized equipment for isolating, examining, and identifying microorganisms such as:

1. Incubators
2. Autoclaves
3. Shaking incubators
4. Laminar flow
5. Lyophilization device
6. Stone mill
7. Evaporation device
8. Optical microscope with a computer screen

Anoxia is a condition characterized by a relative or total lack of oxygen. Insects are major threats to museum objects. In recent years, safer control methods in museums have become increasingly necessary to avoid risks to artifacts. Anoxic disinfection is more widely used in museums. It is a free method to control insect pests and has no risks for the work of art.

The anoxic kill of insects in the museum’s objects takes place by oxygen deprivation and replacing it with nitrogen gas. Nitrogen is an inert gas; it is totally non-reactive with any substance in a collection of museum objects. The anoxia treatment system consists of accessories of liquid nitrogen source, nitrogen humidifier, and oxygen monitor.

The method is simple and can be modified according to the specific needs of the museum, for example, the size and number of objects, their varied humidity requirements, and the frequency of recurrent infestation.

The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization is the only place that has a complete anoxia unit for sterilization and pest control. The unit includes a large room and two small compartments that are used to pump nitrogen for smaller objects. In addition to a portable machine that can be used inside or outside the NMEC. There is a similar unit at the Louvre Museum in France.