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Journal of Creation 25(2):3–5, August 2011

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The biomedical properties of ancient Egyptian black eye makeup

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Few people would be unfamiliar with the iconic eye make-up of the ancient Egyptians. Modern perceptions that the Egyptians used the substance known as kohl for purely cosmetic purposes are not correct. Data from recent studies provide a profound insight into this previously little understood aspect of Egyptian cosmetics and their preparation. Various scientific studies have produced detailed analysis of the chemical constitution of the eye compounds, and concluded that the ancient Egyptians utilized sound empirical science.

Ancient Egyptian manuscripts1 list many remedies for bodily ailments, and of particular interest here are those for eye conditions. Although specific quantities are not mentioned it is reasonable to assume that an Egyptian eye-doctor knew the composition of each type of prescription. Set out in figure 1 is one such prescription from the papyrus Ebers (pEbers) with its modern translation.2

Figure 1. Paprus Ebers (Column 61, Lines 6–8). Key: 1) Translation of hieroglyphs, 2) Literal Translation, 3) Translation into modern English.

The method of manufacture ancient and modern

Tests on the contents of Egyptian cosmetic artefacts held at the Louvre Museum indicated that the material was in very good condition.3 Using Powder X-ray Diffraction at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), the mineral constituents of the Egyptian cosmetics were deciphered. Altogether 49 samples were analyzed revealing the presence of four lead species: galena (PbS) for blackish gloss and three white species: cerussite (PbCO3), phosgenite (Pb2Cl2CO3), and laurionite (Pb(OH)Cl). The first two compounds occur naturally and were bound in an emulsion made from animal fats (see figure 1), but what surprised the scientists was the presence of two very rare naturally occurring compounds, laurionite and phosgenite.

It is faintly possible that these two compounds may have formed by chemical alteration if they came into contact with carbonated and chlorinated waters. There are, however, no indications that such alterations took place and the logical conclusion is that the Egyptians deliberately manufactured both compounds using a simple yet very delicate wet chemistry.4

A simplified explanation of the method nevertheless indicates a high level of competency by the Egyptians. Lead oxide was ground into a fine powder. This was mixed with water, sodium chloride, and sometimes natron (Na2CO3). Close attention to pH levels was essential if production of unwanted lead hydroxides was to be avoided: this involved frequent filtration and changing of supernatant with fresh water and NaCl. It is thought that the process could take up to 30 days after which the litharge was expended and a white residue remained. A team of scientists exactly replicated this method in the laboratory and observed that the precipitation of lead chlorides did indeed occur.5 The researchers noted in their experiment that when the lead oxide was vigorously mixed with rock salt (1) (and also natron (2) in other tests), in warm water they obtained the following results:

PbO + H2O + NaCL → Pb(OH)Cl + NaOH (1)

PbO + H2O + NaCL + 1/2 Na2CO3 → 1/2 Pb2Cl2CO3 + 2 NaOH (2)

The resulting precipitants were then incorporated into a wide range of therapeutic products by mixing these compounds with various emulsion agents such as animal fats or vegetable oils; a practice not dissimilar to modern pharmaceutical processes.

How the eye preparations work

Studies in immunological responses to bacterial infection have shown that nitric oxide (NO) operates as a vital messenger in the nonspecific immune system. NO signals infection to a variety of immune cells including macrophages6 and promotes increased capillary blood flow which significantly increases phagocyte numbers. One litre of human blood contains about six billion phagocytes;7 compelling evidence of intelligent design by a caring Creator. Using ultramicroelectrodes to monitor stress responses of keratinocytes (skin cells), it was discovered that submicromolar concentrations of Pb2+ ions were sufficient to obtain specific oxidative stress responses. The moment a submicromolar solution of lead acetate was introduced around a keratinocyte, the cell released an oxidative response lasting approximately thirty minutes. The most significant effect noted was the overproduction of NO by as much as 240% when laurionite was present.

Due to the variability of the cells, the kinetic features of the release did vary although the study5 concluded that response increased in direct proportion to the Pb2+ concentration:

“It was observed that Pb2+ did not induce any significant change in the normal production of superoxide ion but that it led to an increased (~240% for 0.2 μM Pb2+) and longer lasting production of NO°.”5–8

The ancients were intelligent

The general view that human intelligence (as opposed to technological advance, which relies on the transmission and accumulation of discoveries) has evolved upwards leads to a tendency to downplay the achievements of the ancients. This seems to have been at play with the scientists featured in the Analytical Chemistry article. They wrote that:

“[the] laurionite component was real and effective, despite the fact that its ‘magic’ implications seemed a priori totally irreconcilable with our modern scientific views … ”9

For ‘our modern scientific views’ read ‘evolutionary science and materialism/naturalism’. Ancient Egyptians would have disputed the idea that the natural realm is all there is: in their worldview the natural and spiritual realms were not only real, they were mutually co-existent and co-dependent. Also:

“One cannot evidently go as far as to propose that laurionite was purposely introduced into the composition of the makeup because of any recognized antibacterial properties.”

The obvious question is, ‘Why not?’ Whether they knew of the existence of germs as a cause for disease or not, why should they not have understood that these compounds, from empirical clinical observations, had a therapeutic effect on certain conditions? This reflects another serious and common error; the attempt to impose 21st century cultural ideas on cultures millennia removed from the present. The world-view of the ancients was very different to that of modern man. The Egyptians were generally a prudent people and these compounds appear very early in the archaeological record without any developmental steps.

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Figure 2. Faience tiles from the time of Ramesses III. L—R: Libyan, Nubian, Syrian, Shasu Bedouin and Hittite.

Belief in evolution is again seen to have the potential to hinder our understanding in this area of historical science. The evidence in general indicates that ancient man was at least as intelligent as his modern counterpart. The Egyptians were competent in technologies across the cultural spectrum. These included metal technologies, paint pigment micronisation, fabric weaving so thin and fine as to be virtually transparent and, of course, construction technologies (e.g. the pyramids).

Was the Egyptian eye make-up technology limited to the Kemet (Egypt)? Apparently not. From the royal palace of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu, Luxor, there are faience tiles showing some of Ramesses’ enemies in their traditional costumes (figure 2). Note the attention to detail employed by Egyptian artists—all five individuals are rendered correctly in their national dress. What is particularly interesting is that all of these figures, representatives of peoples spread across the Ancient Near East and south into Africa, wear black eye-make-up just like their Egyptian counterparts. This suggests that this technology was more widespread than previously thought.

From the creationist point of view Adam was created perfect, and by the second generation his descendants were engaged in technologies such as metallurgy and musical instrument production Genesis 4:21–22. Such technologies required a high level of intelligence. In certain fields and cultures, archaeology has shown there to have been a loss, not gain, in technology.10 The science behind Egyptian eye make-up preparation and application, accords well with the biblical record of mankind’s origins.

Posted on homepage: 9 November 2012

References

  1. Only one of these manuscripts is cited here; the pEbers. Regarding the age of the pEbers, there are some important pointers to the text’s antiquity. Columns 103–110, which were written on the reverse, are in a different style of language compared to the rest of the papyrus. Whilst the handwriting is the same, different dialects are detectable. Although the writing style appears to be dated no earlier than 1600 BC by the Conventional Chronology, idiomatic usage indicates that the text belongs to an older period and some sections of pEbers can be traced back to the earliest Pharaonic dynasties. Return to text.
  2. Immediately before this prescription on the pEbers there is a more complex recipe and remedy for conjunctivitis. Return to text.
  3. European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), Newsletter, April 1999, p. 10. Return to text.
  4. Walter, P. et al., Making make-up in Ancient Egypt, Nature 397(6719):483–484, 11 February 1999. Return to text.
  5. Tapsoba, I., Arbault, S., Walter, P. and Amatore, C., Finding out Egyptian gods’ secret using analytical chemistry: biomedical properties of Egyptian black makeup revealed by amperometry at single cells, Analytical Chemistry 82(2):457–460, 15 January 2010; p. 458. Return to text.
  6. These large cells ‘eat’ invading organisms by engulfing them. From Greek macro (large) and phagein (eat). They are only one type of immune cell which does this, including monocytes, neutrophils, tissue dendritic cells and mast cells. All are collectively called phagocytes, from the Greek cytos (cell). Return to text.
  7. Hoffbrand, A., Pettit, J.E. and Moss, P.A.H., Essential Haematology, 4th ed., Blackwell Science, London, p. 331, 2001. Return to text.
  8. Supporting information for Tapsoba et al., ref. 5 available f.o.c. from: pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/ac902348g/suppl_file/ac902348g_si_001.pdf. Return to text.
  9. Tapsoba et al., ref. 5, p. 460. Return to text.
  10. For references, see Wieland, C., Modern Stone Age reconsidered, Creation 15(4):51, 1993; creation.com/tech-loss, and also creation.com/culture-clash. Return to text.