|
A recent research by French scholars,
in addition to earlier discoveries by
French scientist on cosmetic art or rather
industry and analogies to pictures showing
make-up techniques used by contemporary
French pretty women, such as eye liners,
eyelash liners, lip sticks etc. have revealed
that women of ancient Egypt were the most
adept, most meticulous and most tender
connoisseurs of cosmetic art.
The French Cosmetic group has recently
engaged a team of researchers to study
cosmetic tools on display at the Louvre
Museum, which were found to be 49 in number.
Specimen of the residual materials were
taken from these tools, x-rayed and analyzed.
It was found out that ancient Egyptians
were the only people of the ancient world
to leave behind cosmetic implements fully
intact. It turned out that, unlike the
Greeks who buried their dead in moist
areas, resulting in the total rotting
of bodies, the ancient Egyptians did so
in dry areas. The French researchers were
astonished to find out the red, white,
black, blue and green colours had botanical
or animal origins. Colour blending ratios
used by ancient Egyptians were found to
almost identical with their modern counterparts
and mineral and stone mixing ratios were
very precise. This testifies to ancient
Egyptians' excellence in chemistry.
Researchers noted that, as the specimen
substances were analyzed, there emitted
an odorous gas, which was found to be
the phosgene gas. When mixing with other
substances buried with the dead, this
gas would be fatal. The researchers came
to the conclusion that these substances
and colours were not natural but rather
synthetic materials prepared in Pharaonic
laboratories. They also found aromatic
fats and soap with honey additive.
|
