Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Corresponding author (a.s.mayyas@hu.edu.jo, a_s_mayyas@hotmail.com) Office Phone Number: 00962 (5) 3903333 Fax: 00962 (5) 3903346
2
Department of Conservation Science, Queen Rania Institute of Tourism and Heritage, The Hashemite University, P. O. Box. 330127, Zarqa 13115, Jordan.
3
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Yarmouk University, Irbid 21163, Jordan.
4
Department of Sustainable Tourism, Queen Rania Institute of Tourism and Heritage, The Hashemite University, P. O. Box. 330127, Zarqa 13115, Jordan
Abstract
This paper discusses the occurrence of beeswax residue in various archaeological ceramic vessels. Beeswax residue was detected in ceramics, from different sites in Europe, Near East and Far East, using analytical organic chemical techniques. The detection, preservation and degradation of beeswax residue in archaeological ceramics are discussed in this paper. Up to date, the preservation of beeswax in ceramics is dated back to the Neolithic period. Beeswax residue was not correlated with specific type of ceramics, it was found in different vessels regardless to their forms, sizes, fabrics, decorations and other physical properties. Vessels containing beeswax were used in the past for preparing, processing, storing and serving honey or beeswax, in addition to their use as beehives. Beeswax, however, was exploited in the past as a sealing (or coating) and waterproofing agent, a fuel for illumination, a plasticizer in adhesive production, an insect repellent, a one of the main ingredient used in the preparation of medicines and a substance for casting metal objects in the lost wax technique involved in metallurgy.
Keywords
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