A team of Egyptian archaeologists in Saqqara has discovered the remarkably well-preserved tomb of an 18th-Dynasty official who served as the "Master of the Royal Papyrus-Sizing Chemistry." The tomb contains a rare cache of mineral-based glue samples and resins used to treat the surface of papyrus scrolls to prevent ink bleeding and ensure the longevity of imperial records.
The interior of the burial chamber features vibrant reliefs depicting the chemical refinement process, where scribes are seen mixing calcium carbonate and various plant-based starches. This find provides unprecedented insight into the New Kingdom’s sophisticated paper-making technologies and the specialized guilds responsible for maintaining the empire's vast bureaucratic archives.