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Article digest: Indication of transportation and erection of granite obelisks in the Egyptian early-middle kingdom using bubblewrap
Article authors : Mandcliff, Arthur A. and Axelrode, Greggor N.


Preview: in recent years , there has been great interest in the possible existance of bubblewrap material in the ancient world. Growing evidence is accumulated that sheets of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) were pervasive in the period of the middle kingdom, and the custom of creating bubbles in the material, as is commonly referred to as bubblewrap was not only know but quite prevalent. Although there are fragments that have survived through the long time-span (bubblewrap being a degradable material, often leaves just trace fibers), recent finds have shed light on the subject and brought what we believe is incontrovertible proof of a long suspected practice.
The recent finding of the tomb of Annat Abnef, who was evidently a senior overseer and wizir in his later years, provide us with new texts in which both the distribution, the value and the usage of bubblewrap were referred to. It is very likely that the frequency of the subject of the substance, which may be bubblewrap among the more standard tomb inscriptions comparable with of high ranking magistrates of the period, indicate that a great deal of the subject’s office was devoted to matters concerning this material. Furthermore, considering his stature among society, it can be construed , that aspects of the usage, production and allocation of bubblewrap was considered to be a strategically important product of the Egyptian middle kingdom .

In the article, we intend to combine the recent archaeological discoveries with older finds, that may demonstrate incontrovertibly the existance of bubblewrap in the middle kingdom, particularly the 13-12 century BC period (mainly the 15th dynasty), as well as suggest the usages for the material.

Excerpts taken from the tomb of Annat Abnef Chief Overseer of royal works contain a frequent reference to a certain fabric which is adorned/decorated/covered with evenly-spaced bubbles. While it could be a misinterpretation of a description of woven fabrics (possibly a mistranslations of the word bubble as knot), it is unlikely to be the case, as that there is repeated referance to usage of the material in transportation and celebration, which does not seem to be indicative of the usage of simple fabrics. Moreover , as Miakolwlsky Discovered trace fibers of low density polyethylene,and polyurethane in excavation sites in Abydos and Memphis (2018, 2020 respectively) it is then well established that bubblewrap was not only within the possibility of production by the knowledge of the time but also most likely used in large amounts. Furthermore, the inscriptions hint at at a yet unknown practice with which the greater granite obelisks were transported from quarries and erected. Given the weight of obelisks of the period , some as much as 30 metric tons, it is quite possible that the inscription details the steps taken, as self aggrandizing and taking direct credit of the engineering feat.

Text , (catalogue: S1g5n2)

“ with the help of Ra , we made the shrouding of the translucent royal cloth, which is studded with bubbles that are spaced generously and contain the breath of Ra. Much of the material was sent to the Royal household for their rejoicing. Of the remaining length, i had devised and allocated the proper allowance. With the help of Ammat, we wrapped the obelisk many circumventions, wrap upon wrap, all with great care and precision, until the greatness of the statue was completely covered many times over in he bubble-encrusted cloth of the royal fabricatory. Thus it was that despite the great weight of the statue, nor its size, we were able to roll it safely upon the blessed soil. Thank be, that the bubble encrusted cloth saved the great obelisk from the harm of scratching and fracturing.....””

“....Thank be to Ra, who blessed us with the heavenly material of bubbles, and allowed the obelisk to float safely upon the waters of the canals, and the great waters of the river, praise be.
Let all give thanks to the great god Ra, who, once the bubble -material-covered obelisk had reached it’s destination safely, from out of the great waters, allowed out in his magnanimity to easily retrieve the obelisk, and roll it once more upon the sands, until we had reached the temple grounds. Blessed be he, who preserved the obelisk all that way and upon arriving, allowed us to genly begin the erection. Praise be, that with great care and precision, allowed us to not falter in our calculations and let us to successfully pop, bubble by bubble, in such a way, that the great obelisk moved to it’s rightful and heavenly situated location, until it was vertical. Much of the bubble-material, which was remained that day, was carefully removed. The greater fragments were diligently collected and sent with care to the quarries for further transportation. Thank be to ra that many fragments of the material were left unscathed during the works, and many were distributed to the workers in magnanimity. By the hand of Ra, i have done so in the name of the pharaoh whom I serve loyally with advice and industry...”

Text , (cat: F23a7

“ .. and upon that day, the great obelisk was made ready in decoration and embellishment to be delivered. all rites in preparation for the passage, were dutifully performed. Much material was set aside for the transposition of the granite to the temple grounds, a distance of many miles. Ivory and ceder were selected by the foremen, and note was taken in the royal manufactories, to the weaving of the cloth of many bubbles. Many leagues of cloth were woven so, and prepared in the great storehouses, and delivered with cart and oxen upon command, to be delivered to the quarry site. Praise be to Ra who thus provided for the undertaking...”


Text , (cat : F56b96c)

“...and walked he there, and with thumb and finger, with the application of force of a measure, not greater than one used to crush a millet cake, made the a bubble of which the fabric of he carriage of obelisks from the royal quarries is Huen , to succumb and pop. And the sound that the bursting had made was pleasing to his royal person. And it was on that day, that the scribe of highest rank took note of his decree, and it was made known throughout the land that the manufacturies of the royal cloth of many bubbles shall allocate a sum of cloth for the enjoyment of the priests, a sum shall also be handed out in days of triumph and feast, for the orphans and widows for their amusement and celebration...”



“ .....and married he the daughter or Set-Annattet, the keeper of the storage cities of Huth, and Beshen, which collect and and keep, store and disburse as ordained, the fabric of the many bubbles, which is used in the transportation and preservation of the royal statues and the erection of the royal stone-works of the great temple. Glory be to Ra, that on that day, the great pharaoh had gifted his loyal scribe with a gift of five lengths of the bubble cloth, for his diligent service. And so it was that I have set aside these sums; some for the preservation of the household pottery, some for our enjoyment. Also have i set a length and a half for the priests for their edification, praise Ra...

Text, (cat: K72b72b)

“...and the emissary of the land of Punt, was gifted generously with gold and ivory, rich perfumes and resins of the most delicate scents, and he was gives these gifts upon his survey of the palace and the honors and tributes that he had shown to the great pharaoh, praise Ra. And among the gifts , so lavishly bestowed upon him in the hopes of friendship and commerce, were a hundred lengths of the bubble enriched cloth, which is both light and translucent, and which makes pleasing sensations, once force is impressed upon them. and the emissary was shown the games and merrymaking of the great court, and he rejoiced in his alliance with the pharaoh. Upon his departure, his palanquin was enshrouded handsomely with the bubble -rich cloth for it pleased him greatly in his eyes, and brought great satisfaction to the overseer of rites, and the preservation of his carriage from scratch and rending.....”

Text, (cat: Ma23b1b1)

“..and upon discovery of the theft, the betrayer of trust, was caught and put in judgment, and I have judged his offense to be most grievous. Of his family, i took two daughters as slaves for the royal household. Of his sons i took one for the digging of the canal that lead us the transport of the great granite obelisks. And i had sought no compensation otherwise, but for additional remuneration for his misdeeds. For the offense of forgery, i had assigned his household to pay fifty loaves of silver onto the treasury. For the crime of improperly sacrificing and blasphemy, i had his tongue burned with a hot coal. For the crime of negligence in his duties as a foreman i had assigned him a punishment of fifty lashes. For the crime of misrecording of the royal storeroom of the bubble-enriched cloth, which is used for the preservation of the royal stonework, i have assigned as punishment the confiscation of his lands eastwards of the river in he prefecture inwhich he lives. God be praised , justice was carried out in the name of Ra and the Pharaoh......”

Text, (cat: NN5X134)

“... and as the royal inspector had visited the storehouse, inwhich the provisions and materials of worth for the building of the pharaoh's temple, all was found to be attended for with diligence and probity. I was then appointed to the rank and title., and received as gracious gift, five loaves of silver. Also, was i gifted with fifteen lengths of the cloth which is endowed with many bubbles, which are prized and treasured among the great men. I had set aside this generous allocation to my household for the care of the household treasures and the preservation of the statues of the lesser gods, which are removed from the pedestal in great care and reserved with delicacy and care from harm in transportation....”


These inscriptions add more credibility to the already well known discoveries, which were until now only suspected to indicate the existance of bubble wrap in the ancient world.

Stella fragment XIb, Tel el Peikpack (cat: S51a8n2)

“......tribute received and and hostages taken. For the everlasting peace between the lands,much treasury items were disbursed as the slaves marched, carrying on their backs the rolls of the coveted clothes and ivories, and the fabric that is enriched in bubbles and is pleasing in it’s sight...”

Supporting wall etching (graffitti), Abydos (cat:vv34ak1)

“.....from the workers who work in the manufactory of the bubble cloth, praise to Ra”


Clay tablet inscription, Akkadian, Askelon (cat: MNs2kv3)

“....received in trade, of three gold talents, and a statue of ivory. Let it be known hat he cloth of bubbles was torn and mishandled and the statue was fractured as a result of this and not through the misaction of your servant ...”


Conclusion: there is now considerable evidence of both a knowledge of the manufacturing of polymers such as polyethylene and polyurethane in the early middle kingdom, which was particularly evidenced during the 15th dynasty. The usage of the materials in the manufacturing of the packaging material prevelantly known as bubblewrap is widely inscribed in the wall etching of the tomb of Annat Abnef, who was a senior official at the court, most likely responsible for all matters concerning with the material. His stature in society and the fact that it is chronicled in his tomb repeatedly indicates the great importance and value placed of the material.
Usage of the material , as is referred to, varies considerably. It seems that the primary usage was , as is today, for the protection of valued artifacts from breakage or wear. However, there is indication that bubblewrap was used also as a method of transportation of the great obelisks that were erected at the time. A process is described and alluded to in various texts, where the material was wrapped around the obelisk, cushioning its sides and allowing for it to be rolled along tbe ground, and then serving as a flotation aid, as it was pulled along canals all the way to the construction site. Furthermore, a calculated popping of the bubbles at strategic locations would have allowed for the slow and controlled raising and final erection of the obelisk at its precise locality.
Bubblewrap is also indicated to have served as a valued commodity, used in trade, tribute, gift and payment of high demand goods. This is particularly intriguing, as that there is no record of coinage during the 15th dynasty nor the middle kingdom in its entirety.

One of the greatest questions that arise from our research, is the question of why was the manufacturing and usage of bubblewrap discontinued and fallen out of memory. As of yet there is no clear indication , however it is possible that the abandonment of large-scale temple and obelisk construction during the tumultuous period of the later middle kingdom, caused the manufacturing of bubblewrap, which was primarily made for that, to become a dying art. With no incentive for large scale production, most artisans who were occupied in this process, turned to other trades. Over time, and with no readily available records of the process, the technology involved was lost. Recreated independently in the 1960s. While this is the most likely reason, it could be also that the usage of bubblewrap fell out of favor by the high court. The enjoyment that the aristocracy derived from popping the bubbles became worn, and supplanted by other distractions. Much is still left to be discovered in the field, and it is our hope that more will be revealed in the future.