Archaeological and Contemporary Human Hair Composition and Morphology

The study compared contemporary and mummy hair samples using modern chemical and physical characterization methods. It found that mummy hair could be preserved in cave conditions despite interactions with environmental elements. Techniques like X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy showed that hair acts as an ion exchanger, facilitating interactions with elements when exposed to earth and water. Post mortem degradation was observed through cystine reactions and partial collapse of hair scales, with scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy revealing less ordered scales and a less smooth surface. The study concluded that while hair alteration begins in the core, scales are often well preserved, suggesting that the chemical composition of mummy hair may not accurately reflect the health or nutrition of ancient people due to environmental contamination.