THE STUDY OF NABATAEAN ORGANIC RESIDUES FROM MADÂ’IN SÂLIH, ANCIENT <i>HEGRA</i>, BY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY – MASS SPECTROMETRY*

Abstract

Four Nabataean samples collected in some of the monumental tombs of Madâ’in Sâlih, ancient Hegra , in Saudi Arabia, have been studied by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. These samples are textile fragments that are either covered with a black layer or bound together with some black amorphous substance. Fatty acids and triterpenoic compounds were detected. Eight triterpenic compounds were identified: ursa‐9(11),12‐dien‐3‐ol, ursa‐9(11),12‐dien‐3‐one, olean‐9(11),12‐dien‐3β‐ol, β‐amyrone, β‐amyrin, α‐amyrone, α‐amyrin and lupeol. The resinous chemical composition and these pentacyclic alcohols, in considerable proportion, indicate a resin of the Burseraceae family, possibly of the genus Canarium.