Ancient Egyptian hair gel: New insight into ancient Egyptian mummification procedures through chemical analysis

The ancient Egyptians, both men and women, used fat as a hair gel. The discovery was made by researchers at Manchester who examined by electron microscopy the hair of eighteen mummies. They found the presence in the heads of the subjects, fatty substances, chemically different products conventionally used in embalming. These products have even been found on the heads of typically shaven (or bald) heads! As far as the expansive wigs of the rich are concerned, they were covered up with beewax (at least those on the heads of mummies).
The preservation of the hair was therefore considered important to stay in the hereafter.
It is possible that this discovery may bring closure to the issue of the cone of ointment, seen on the heads of people, which is found so often depicted on the walls of tombs. A debate has long existed between advocates of the real existence of cones of perfumed fat which melted on the head, and those who consider that these cones do not really exist but are a metaphor used for perfume. This "gel", certainly perfumed, everyone seems to agree about.