Wood identification of an ancient Greek coffin from the Bosporan Kingdom

Abstract

Abstract Wood identification of 13 samples is made for the first time for the well-preserved coffin from the Bosporan Kingdom exhibited in the State Hermitage Museum. Due to the decay state, observation was carried out with Scanning Electron Microscopy. Additional information was obtained from macerated material. The samples studied show a complex of characteristics common to the Cupressaceae family: axial tracheids without helical thickenings, presence of axial parenchyma, homogeneous rays, cupressoid cross-field pits, and absence of resin canals. The presence of dark-stained content in the ray cells and the structure of its end walls, as well as the size of the rays, allow the determination of the wood samples as Cupressus sp. and Juniperus sp. The supporting parts of the coffin construction are made from cypress, while the decorative details and an inner bed are from juniper. These results support the dating of the coffin and the known information about different usage of timbers in the production of coffins in the Bosporan Kingdom.