The textiles at Abydos: New evidence

Microscopical techniques were used to analyse textile fragments from the Predynastic Cemetery U and the First Dynasty royal tomb complexes of Umm el-Qaab. Textiles from the Predynastic Cemetery contribute to the study of technological developments in textile production in the period Naqada Id to Naqada IIIa-b. Abundant quantities of resin within multiple layers of extremely fine linen from the spoil heaps around the tomb of Dewen provide the first conclusive evidence for its use in body wrappings during the First Dynasty. Calcite residue and wood fragments adhering to other textiles from this area suggest that calcite cylinder jars were housed in wooden receptacles lined with layers of resin-saturated cloth.