Analysis of Paintings in the tomb of Thutmose III Reveals Unprecedented Colors and Minoan Techniques

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Reported by La Brújula Verde:

An international team of researchers has uncovered significant findings in the tomb of Thutmose III in the Valley of the Kings, Egypt. The study, which began in 2018, represents an unprecedented effort to analyze the ancient wall paintings with modern technology, leading to revelations about the techniques and materials used by ancient Egyptian artists. The results have wide-reaching implications for our understanding of Egyptian art and its cultural connections.

The project is a joint venture between the European Center for Archaeometry (CEA) at the University of Liège, the Laboratory of Molecular and Structural Archaeology (LAMS) at the University of Paris-Sorbonne, and the Center for Studies and Documentation of Ancient Egypt (CEDAE) under the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA). By utilizing a portable laboratory, the team was able to conduct non-invasive physical-chemical analysis in situ, avoiding damage to the fragile wall paintings.

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The project’s first major breakthrough came with the analysis of the tomb of Thutmose III, where researchers found an unusual combination of high-quality pigments and innovative color blends. This finding challenged existing notions about ancient Egyptian art and suggested cultural exchanges with the Minoan civilization. Catherine Defeyt, a FED-tWIN researcher at the CEA, stated, The analyses carried out during the 2024 campaign revealed an unprecedented mix of colors and high-quality pigments. This observation calls into question established knowledge about Egyptian art. Philippe Martinez, an Egyptologist at the University of Paris-Sorbonne and project leader, added, The techniques used could be the result of intense cultural exchanges with the Minoan world.

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