Ashra youssef general director of Saqqara conservation and restoration administration and supervisor of step pyramid restoration project Phone: 00201001967480 Address: Giza - Egypt
Journal of Building Pathology and Rehabilitation, Dec 15, 2023
This study attempts to design some geopolymer formulas based on alkali activated kaolin, metakaol... more This study attempts to design some geopolymer formulas based on alkali activated kaolin, metakaolin and fly ash and other formulas mixed with hydraulic lime and powdered limestone for the utilization as restoration mortars for damaged ancient mural paintings at the Saqqara necropolis. For this, four geopolymer-based mixtures, in varying proportions, were prepared and tested. The mortars were prepared and evaluated at different NaOH molarities for physical and mechanical properties at three curing ages: 7, 14 and 28 days. The stability of the studied mortars against thermal-wet, acid attack and salt aging were assessed. Based on the physico-mechanical behavior and the compatibility of the components, the formula based on 15% fly ash (FA), 20% metakaolin (MK), 20% hydraulic lime (HL) and 50% sand was used to repair the multi-components plaster layers. While a formula contains 22.5% fly ash, 27.5% metakaolin and 50% sand was applied to treat the rock joints. The results proved the credibility of two formulas to be used as restoration mortars for different purposes including the injection of detached clayey layers, cracks repair and reinforcement of the rock joints.
Evaluating some geopolymer-based mortars for restoration purposes of mural paintings , 2023
This study attempts to design some geopolymer formulas based on alkali activated kaolin, metakaol... more This study attempts to design some geopolymer formulas based on alkali activated kaolin, metakaolin and fly ash and other formulas mixed with hydraulic lime and powdered limestone for the utilization as restoration mortars for damaged ancient mural paintings at the Saqqara necropolis. For this, four geopolymer-based mixtures, in varying proportions, were prepared and tested. The mortars were prepared and evaluated at different NaOH molarities for physical and mechanical properties at three curing ages: 7, 14 and 28 days. The stability of the studied mortars against thermal-wet, acid attack and salt aging were assessed. Based on the physico-mechanical behavior and the compatibility of the components, the formula based on 15% fly ash (FA), 20% metakaolin (MK), 20% hydraulic lime (HL) and 50% sand was used to repair the multi-components plaster layers. While a formula contains 22.5% fly ash, 27.5% metakaolin and 50% sand was applied to treat the rock joints. The results proved the credibility of two formulas to be used as restoration mortars for different purposes including the injection of detached clayey layers, cracks repair and reinforcement of the rock joints.
Saqqara is one of the most important heritage sites in Egypt and the world. Many foreign missions... more Saqqara is one of the most important heritage sites in Egypt and the world. Many foreign missions have been operating there for a long time. The French mission is one of the oldest missions working in Saqqara. In 2014, under the supervision of Prof. Philippe Collombert, the mission pursued the excavation of the Shawaf site, which is to the north and east of Queen Behenu’s pyramid. At the entrance of the complex, they found some stone blocks and several off ering tables. One of the off ering tables may possibly be dated back to the Herakleopolitan Period. It was very fragile and needed to be cleaned. For security reasons, the off ering table was transported to the storeroom, where conservation and restoration works were completed.
Saqqara is one of the most famous archaeological sites in Egypt and all over the world. It was th... more Saqqara is one of the most famous archaeological sites in Egypt and all over the world. It was the main necropolis of Memphis which was the capital of Egypt for the most part of the Old Kingdom period. Saqqara is also famous for the Step Pyramid which is the oldest stone structure in ancient Egypt. It was built by king Djoser who was the first king in the Third Dynasty. It is thought that the south entrance of the Step Pyramid was opened during the Saite period. During that period, a lot of restoration work was done to many places in Saqqara, one of whose places was the Step Pyramid, especially the south entrance, when they saw that there were cracks in the bedrock ceiling, that some limestone columns were used to support it. It seems that the ceiling of the burial shaft had a problem since that time. So, some wooden trunks were used to support the ceiling, especially in the places where there was a collapse. Those trunks were in bad condition, because they were affected by deterioration factors especially the brown rotten that caused the wood to be turned into cubes in different sizes. It is known that the ancient Egyptians used both local and imported wood, especially wood that was imported from Lebanon. So, it was important to identify the wood species to indicate if it was local or imported. Transmitted light optical microscope was used to identify the wood species. It is indicated that the species is Acacia Nilotica which has been common in Egypt from ancient times till now. There were deterioration products that could be seen on the wooden trunks such as cracks in different sizes and different depths, wood turned into cubes in different sizes. And then, a nd the surface of the wood was fragile and squishy, and some parts of the wooden trunks were covered with mortar that used for restoration in the Saite period or for supporting the ceiling during the current restoration project. Restoration work was done through three main steps. First, cleaning was done mechanically and chemically. Consolidation by using Nano cellulose and Plexisol P550, filling by using cotton injected with Paraloid B72 20% and Microballoon. FTIR analysis was done after using Nano cellulose and it indicated the percentage of cellulose in the wood was increased after using Nano cellulose for consolidation.
Saqqara was the main necropolis of Memphis that was the capital of ancient Egypt during the time ... more Saqqara was the main necropolis of Memphis that was the capital of ancient Egypt during the time of the Old Kingdom, and it has a lot of tombs dating back along the ancient Egyptian history from the time of the first and second dynasties to the Greco-Roman period. Some of the ancient Egyptian tombs from the fifth and sixth dynasties have decorated burial chambers. One of them is the tomb of Memi that might date back to the late fifth dynasty and the beginning of the sixth dynasty. Although his burial chamber has three beautiful decorated walls, the most of the decorated plaster fell down off the bed rock walls. There are some deterioration factors that have affected the mural paintings at Memi's burial chamber, some internal and the other external, and they led to the deterioration of the mural paintings. High humidity is one of the most dangerous factors that carries salts out of the inside structure of the bed rock to the surface and under the plaster, when humidity decreases. It leaves salt under the plaster, that pushes the plaster and causes it to fall down. The internal structure of the bed rock has clay minerals that are affected by the presence of high humidity that leads those minerals to swell and push the plaster off the bedrock walls. Gypsum plaster was used at Memi's burial chamber, whose main components of the plaster are gypsum, sand, calcite and clay minerals. Those components are inhomogeneous and they led to different effect by weathering factors. The thickness of the plaster at Memi's burial chamber varies according to the regularity of the bedrock. However, in general, the thickness of the plaster is thin and the thinness makes it easy to be cracked and broken when it falls off the walls. As a result of high humidity, there is a clear growth of microorganisms on the bedrock waland the plaster. Salts such as gypsum and halite are the worst problem in the burial chamber because they crystalized to form pins that pushed the plaster to separate and fill off the bed rock walls.
This study focuses on a multi-analytical method to identify the pigments, ground layer, and previ... more This study focuses on a multi-analytical method to identify the pigments, ground layer, and previous restoration materials used on a polychrome wooden coffin (Late Period) from Saqqara, Egypt. It utilized technical imaging, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscope attached to X-ray dispersion unit, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results showed the use of hematite and cinnabar for the red painted layers, Egyptian blue for the blue painted layer, yellow ochre for the yellow painted layer, Atacamite and Paratacamite for the green painted layer and carbon for black painted layer. The ground layer was calcium carbonate. The original binding medium was animal glue, while the previous consolidation materials were poly vinyl acetate (PVAC) and beeswax.
This study focuses on a multi-analytical method to identify the pigments, ground layer, and previ... more This study focuses on a multi-analytical method to identify the pigments, ground layer, and previous restoration materials used on a polychrome wooden coffin (Late Period) from Saqqara, Egypt. It utilized technical imaging, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscope attached to X-ray dispersion unit, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results showed the use of hematite and cinnabar for the red painted layers, Egyptian blue for the blue painted layer, yellow ochre for the yellow painted layer, Atacamite and Paratacamite for the green painted layer and carbon for black painted layer. The ground layer was calcium carbonate. The original binding medium was animal glue, while the previous consolidation materials were poly vinyl acetate (PVAC) and beeswax.
ترميم تابوت بولى كروم من العصر المتأخر كانت تمت سرقته من إحدى المواقع بعد أحداث ثورة يناير 2011 ... more ترميم تابوت بولى كروم من العصر المتأخر كانت تمت سرقته من إحدى المواقع بعد أحداث ثورة يناير 2011 وتعرض لتلف شديد
Saqqara is the main necropolis of Memphis which was the capital of ancient Egypt during the old k... more Saqqara is the main necropolis of Memphis which was the capital of ancient Egypt during the old kingdom. The ancient Egyptians tried to keep their place in the beyond life so they tried to hide their grave away from robbers, in the old kingdom, especially from the time of the fourth dynasty, they buried their bodies in deep shafts and kept them in stone sarcophaguses, however. From the middle of the fifth dynasty, they began to make big burial chambers, deep underground, reached by vertical shafts or sloping corridors, they also began to decorate the burial chambers. the burial chamber of Ra-shepses is considered the most ancient decorated burial chamber that has been discovered till now. Ra-shepses was one of the most important people in the time of the fifth dynasty, he was the first one to have the title of (the responsible for the south), he was a vizier at the time of King Jedkara, the pigments in the burial chamber of Rashepses are unique, the ancient artist used shadows for the first time although it is the most ancient decorated burial chamber. There are more than ten different colors were used in the wildlife scene, that shows how the artist used his skills to create new colors weren't used before, optical digital microscope is used to study those pigments and try to identify the technique was used to create that terrific scene in the burial chamber.
Naos statues in the Tom b of Nefer
The Czech Institute of Egyptology made a very important discov... more Naos statues in the Tom b of Nefer The Czech Institute of Egyptology made a very important discovery of the Tomb of Nefer – a high-ranking official of the end of the Fifth Dynasty in 2012. The tomb’s entrance corridor was decorated with four limestone Naos statues. This paper describes the general principles of the conservation treatment of the seriously degraded limestone statues and presents a detailed description of the conservation treatment of a selected statue which was completed by Czech and Egyptian restorers (Naos statue in the eastern part of the corridor, dimension 143 x 140 x 26 cm, with a cavetto cornice, consists of three standing figures – two males and one female in the middle).
The French Archaeological Mission carried out excavations in the Bubasteion region, north of Saqq... more The French Archaeological Mission carried out excavations in the Bubasteion region, north of Saqqara. The results of these excavations were the discovery of a group of archaeological tombs dating back to the modern Kingdom in ancient Egypt. The French Archaeological Mission discovered a collection of bronze objects, including statues of various shapes, vessels and others. These bronze objects suffer from the presence of thick layers of corrosion products and several of deterioration phenomena. The documentation processes, recording and study of manufacturing techniques were discussed. Examinations of corrosion layers were investigated using Optical Microscope (OM) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Analysis of corrosion compounds were carried out using X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and (EDX). Treatment and conservation processes of these bronze objects were finished, which included the mechanical and chemical cleaning, the removal of the thick corrosion layers from the surface of the objects, Finally, the bronze objects were chemically isolated to protect their from corrosion and deterioration again.
[Abstract] Saqqara is one of the most famous heritage sites and the Step Pyramid, the symbol of S... more [Abstract] Saqqara is one of the most famous heritage sites and the Step Pyramid, the symbol of Saqqara, is the oldest stone building all over the world. It was built to be a tomb, where the first king from the third dynasty-Zoser-could be buried, by the famous ancient Egyptian architect Imhotep. The height of the Step Pyramid is about 60 m and it has six steps. No enormous restoration or conservation work was performed on those steps until the year 2006 when a large conservation and restoration project was started by an Egyptian company. The pyramid's stability was threatened as it collapsed in some parts, especially the first step in the north façade and burial shaft. A scientific study was performed to investigate the deterioration factors that affected the pyramid, and make a plan of conservation and restoration. There are some deterioration forms that are obvious on the outside of the Step Pyramid. The environmental sand which the wind carried caused a great load on the edges, and this affected the pyramid's stability. Losing the mortar caused many stones to fall or move from their original places with large gaps, especially at the first step in the south and north façade. The four corners of the pyramids are not in a strong position of stability: the deterioration on the surface of many stones caused the surface to turn into fine chaps. The pyramid's inside has many problems, especially the ceiling of the burial shaft and underground galleries which are carved in clay layers and filled with debris. Conservation and restoration work in the pyramid has been subjected to international standards of restoration and conservation. These papers deal with the outer conservation and restoration work
This paper describes the treatment and conservation of the polychrome wooden coffin for the unkno... more This paper describes the treatment and conservation of the polychrome wooden coffin for the unknown mummy of the late period that was in Saqqara stepped pyramids`stores. It suffered from aspects of damage represented in damaging into large fragments, infecting by microorganism , accumulation of dusts and cracks that are varied in shapes and sizes in the different layers of painting. The components of the polychrome wooden coffin were studied through investigation and using various analysis methods such as X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), light Optical microscope (LOM) and Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive analysis of elements (SEM-EDX). The results indicated that the type of the coffin wood is Cypress (Cupressussempervirens), and there are five types of fungi that had been grown on it. They are Aspergillusniger, Aspergilusflavus, Alternaria alternate, Emericella nidulans and Penicillium steckii. The ground layers consisted of two layers; coarse layer (clay plaster) and finer coat (lime plaster).The black, pink, and yellow pigments consisted of Pyrolusite, Hematite mixed with Gypsum and Goethite consecutively. The medium color was animal glue. Therefore, the current study included making conservation and maintenance of the coffin, mechanical and chemical cleaning, fixation of the paint layer flakes, facing (surface protection), sterilization, reinforcement...etc.
Journal of Building Pathology and Rehabilitation, Dec 15, 2023
This study attempts to design some geopolymer formulas based on alkali activated kaolin, metakaol... more This study attempts to design some geopolymer formulas based on alkali activated kaolin, metakaolin and fly ash and other formulas mixed with hydraulic lime and powdered limestone for the utilization as restoration mortars for damaged ancient mural paintings at the Saqqara necropolis. For this, four geopolymer-based mixtures, in varying proportions, were prepared and tested. The mortars were prepared and evaluated at different NaOH molarities for physical and mechanical properties at three curing ages: 7, 14 and 28 days. The stability of the studied mortars against thermal-wet, acid attack and salt aging were assessed. Based on the physico-mechanical behavior and the compatibility of the components, the formula based on 15% fly ash (FA), 20% metakaolin (MK), 20% hydraulic lime (HL) and 50% sand was used to repair the multi-components plaster layers. While a formula contains 22.5% fly ash, 27.5% metakaolin and 50% sand was applied to treat the rock joints. The results proved the credibility of two formulas to be used as restoration mortars for different purposes including the injection of detached clayey layers, cracks repair and reinforcement of the rock joints.
Evaluating some geopolymer-based mortars for restoration purposes of mural paintings , 2023
This study attempts to design some geopolymer formulas based on alkali activated kaolin, metakaol... more This study attempts to design some geopolymer formulas based on alkali activated kaolin, metakaolin and fly ash and other formulas mixed with hydraulic lime and powdered limestone for the utilization as restoration mortars for damaged ancient mural paintings at the Saqqara necropolis. For this, four geopolymer-based mixtures, in varying proportions, were prepared and tested. The mortars were prepared and evaluated at different NaOH molarities for physical and mechanical properties at three curing ages: 7, 14 and 28 days. The stability of the studied mortars against thermal-wet, acid attack and salt aging were assessed. Based on the physico-mechanical behavior and the compatibility of the components, the formula based on 15% fly ash (FA), 20% metakaolin (MK), 20% hydraulic lime (HL) and 50% sand was used to repair the multi-components plaster layers. While a formula contains 22.5% fly ash, 27.5% metakaolin and 50% sand was applied to treat the rock joints. The results proved the credibility of two formulas to be used as restoration mortars for different purposes including the injection of detached clayey layers, cracks repair and reinforcement of the rock joints.
Saqqara is one of the most important heritage sites in Egypt and the world. Many foreign missions... more Saqqara is one of the most important heritage sites in Egypt and the world. Many foreign missions have been operating there for a long time. The French mission is one of the oldest missions working in Saqqara. In 2014, under the supervision of Prof. Philippe Collombert, the mission pursued the excavation of the Shawaf site, which is to the north and east of Queen Behenu’s pyramid. At the entrance of the complex, they found some stone blocks and several off ering tables. One of the off ering tables may possibly be dated back to the Herakleopolitan Period. It was very fragile and needed to be cleaned. For security reasons, the off ering table was transported to the storeroom, where conservation and restoration works were completed.
Saqqara is one of the most famous archaeological sites in Egypt and all over the world. It was th... more Saqqara is one of the most famous archaeological sites in Egypt and all over the world. It was the main necropolis of Memphis which was the capital of Egypt for the most part of the Old Kingdom period. Saqqara is also famous for the Step Pyramid which is the oldest stone structure in ancient Egypt. It was built by king Djoser who was the first king in the Third Dynasty. It is thought that the south entrance of the Step Pyramid was opened during the Saite period. During that period, a lot of restoration work was done to many places in Saqqara, one of whose places was the Step Pyramid, especially the south entrance, when they saw that there were cracks in the bedrock ceiling, that some limestone columns were used to support it. It seems that the ceiling of the burial shaft had a problem since that time. So, some wooden trunks were used to support the ceiling, especially in the places where there was a collapse. Those trunks were in bad condition, because they were affected by deterioration factors especially the brown rotten that caused the wood to be turned into cubes in different sizes. It is known that the ancient Egyptians used both local and imported wood, especially wood that was imported from Lebanon. So, it was important to identify the wood species to indicate if it was local or imported. Transmitted light optical microscope was used to identify the wood species. It is indicated that the species is Acacia Nilotica which has been common in Egypt from ancient times till now. There were deterioration products that could be seen on the wooden trunks such as cracks in different sizes and different depths, wood turned into cubes in different sizes. And then, a nd the surface of the wood was fragile and squishy, and some parts of the wooden trunks were covered with mortar that used for restoration in the Saite period or for supporting the ceiling during the current restoration project. Restoration work was done through three main steps. First, cleaning was done mechanically and chemically. Consolidation by using Nano cellulose and Plexisol P550, filling by using cotton injected with Paraloid B72 20% and Microballoon. FTIR analysis was done after using Nano cellulose and it indicated the percentage of cellulose in the wood was increased after using Nano cellulose for consolidation.
Saqqara was the main necropolis of Memphis that was the capital of ancient Egypt during the time ... more Saqqara was the main necropolis of Memphis that was the capital of ancient Egypt during the time of the Old Kingdom, and it has a lot of tombs dating back along the ancient Egyptian history from the time of the first and second dynasties to the Greco-Roman period. Some of the ancient Egyptian tombs from the fifth and sixth dynasties have decorated burial chambers. One of them is the tomb of Memi that might date back to the late fifth dynasty and the beginning of the sixth dynasty. Although his burial chamber has three beautiful decorated walls, the most of the decorated plaster fell down off the bed rock walls. There are some deterioration factors that have affected the mural paintings at Memi's burial chamber, some internal and the other external, and they led to the deterioration of the mural paintings. High humidity is one of the most dangerous factors that carries salts out of the inside structure of the bed rock to the surface and under the plaster, when humidity decreases. It leaves salt under the plaster, that pushes the plaster and causes it to fall down. The internal structure of the bed rock has clay minerals that are affected by the presence of high humidity that leads those minerals to swell and push the plaster off the bedrock walls. Gypsum plaster was used at Memi's burial chamber, whose main components of the plaster are gypsum, sand, calcite and clay minerals. Those components are inhomogeneous and they led to different effect by weathering factors. The thickness of the plaster at Memi's burial chamber varies according to the regularity of the bedrock. However, in general, the thickness of the plaster is thin and the thinness makes it easy to be cracked and broken when it falls off the walls. As a result of high humidity, there is a clear growth of microorganisms on the bedrock waland the plaster. Salts such as gypsum and halite are the worst problem in the burial chamber because they crystalized to form pins that pushed the plaster to separate and fill off the bed rock walls.
This study focuses on a multi-analytical method to identify the pigments, ground layer, and previ... more This study focuses on a multi-analytical method to identify the pigments, ground layer, and previous restoration materials used on a polychrome wooden coffin (Late Period) from Saqqara, Egypt. It utilized technical imaging, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscope attached to X-ray dispersion unit, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results showed the use of hematite and cinnabar for the red painted layers, Egyptian blue for the blue painted layer, yellow ochre for the yellow painted layer, Atacamite and Paratacamite for the green painted layer and carbon for black painted layer. The ground layer was calcium carbonate. The original binding medium was animal glue, while the previous consolidation materials were poly vinyl acetate (PVAC) and beeswax.
This study focuses on a multi-analytical method to identify the pigments, ground layer, and previ... more This study focuses on a multi-analytical method to identify the pigments, ground layer, and previous restoration materials used on a polychrome wooden coffin (Late Period) from Saqqara, Egypt. It utilized technical imaging, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscope attached to X-ray dispersion unit, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results showed the use of hematite and cinnabar for the red painted layers, Egyptian blue for the blue painted layer, yellow ochre for the yellow painted layer, Atacamite and Paratacamite for the green painted layer and carbon for black painted layer. The ground layer was calcium carbonate. The original binding medium was animal glue, while the previous consolidation materials were poly vinyl acetate (PVAC) and beeswax.
ترميم تابوت بولى كروم من العصر المتأخر كانت تمت سرقته من إحدى المواقع بعد أحداث ثورة يناير 2011 ... more ترميم تابوت بولى كروم من العصر المتأخر كانت تمت سرقته من إحدى المواقع بعد أحداث ثورة يناير 2011 وتعرض لتلف شديد
Saqqara is the main necropolis of Memphis which was the capital of ancient Egypt during the old k... more Saqqara is the main necropolis of Memphis which was the capital of ancient Egypt during the old kingdom. The ancient Egyptians tried to keep their place in the beyond life so they tried to hide their grave away from robbers, in the old kingdom, especially from the time of the fourth dynasty, they buried their bodies in deep shafts and kept them in stone sarcophaguses, however. From the middle of the fifth dynasty, they began to make big burial chambers, deep underground, reached by vertical shafts or sloping corridors, they also began to decorate the burial chambers. the burial chamber of Ra-shepses is considered the most ancient decorated burial chamber that has been discovered till now. Ra-shepses was one of the most important people in the time of the fifth dynasty, he was the first one to have the title of (the responsible for the south), he was a vizier at the time of King Jedkara, the pigments in the burial chamber of Rashepses are unique, the ancient artist used shadows for the first time although it is the most ancient decorated burial chamber. There are more than ten different colors were used in the wildlife scene, that shows how the artist used his skills to create new colors weren't used before, optical digital microscope is used to study those pigments and try to identify the technique was used to create that terrific scene in the burial chamber.
Naos statues in the Tom b of Nefer
The Czech Institute of Egyptology made a very important discov... more Naos statues in the Tom b of Nefer The Czech Institute of Egyptology made a very important discovery of the Tomb of Nefer – a high-ranking official of the end of the Fifth Dynasty in 2012. The tomb’s entrance corridor was decorated with four limestone Naos statues. This paper describes the general principles of the conservation treatment of the seriously degraded limestone statues and presents a detailed description of the conservation treatment of a selected statue which was completed by Czech and Egyptian restorers (Naos statue in the eastern part of the corridor, dimension 143 x 140 x 26 cm, with a cavetto cornice, consists of three standing figures – two males and one female in the middle).
The French Archaeological Mission carried out excavations in the Bubasteion region, north of Saqq... more The French Archaeological Mission carried out excavations in the Bubasteion region, north of Saqqara. The results of these excavations were the discovery of a group of archaeological tombs dating back to the modern Kingdom in ancient Egypt. The French Archaeological Mission discovered a collection of bronze objects, including statues of various shapes, vessels and others. These bronze objects suffer from the presence of thick layers of corrosion products and several of deterioration phenomena. The documentation processes, recording and study of manufacturing techniques were discussed. Examinations of corrosion layers were investigated using Optical Microscope (OM) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Analysis of corrosion compounds were carried out using X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and (EDX). Treatment and conservation processes of these bronze objects were finished, which included the mechanical and chemical cleaning, the removal of the thick corrosion layers from the surface of the objects, Finally, the bronze objects were chemically isolated to protect their from corrosion and deterioration again.
[Abstract] Saqqara is one of the most famous heritage sites and the Step Pyramid, the symbol of S... more [Abstract] Saqqara is one of the most famous heritage sites and the Step Pyramid, the symbol of Saqqara, is the oldest stone building all over the world. It was built to be a tomb, where the first king from the third dynasty-Zoser-could be buried, by the famous ancient Egyptian architect Imhotep. The height of the Step Pyramid is about 60 m and it has six steps. No enormous restoration or conservation work was performed on those steps until the year 2006 when a large conservation and restoration project was started by an Egyptian company. The pyramid's stability was threatened as it collapsed in some parts, especially the first step in the north façade and burial shaft. A scientific study was performed to investigate the deterioration factors that affected the pyramid, and make a plan of conservation and restoration. There are some deterioration forms that are obvious on the outside of the Step Pyramid. The environmental sand which the wind carried caused a great load on the edges, and this affected the pyramid's stability. Losing the mortar caused many stones to fall or move from their original places with large gaps, especially at the first step in the south and north façade. The four corners of the pyramids are not in a strong position of stability: the deterioration on the surface of many stones caused the surface to turn into fine chaps. The pyramid's inside has many problems, especially the ceiling of the burial shaft and underground galleries which are carved in clay layers and filled with debris. Conservation and restoration work in the pyramid has been subjected to international standards of restoration and conservation. These papers deal with the outer conservation and restoration work
This paper describes the treatment and conservation of the polychrome wooden coffin for the unkno... more This paper describes the treatment and conservation of the polychrome wooden coffin for the unknown mummy of the late period that was in Saqqara stepped pyramids`stores. It suffered from aspects of damage represented in damaging into large fragments, infecting by microorganism , accumulation of dusts and cracks that are varied in shapes and sizes in the different layers of painting. The components of the polychrome wooden coffin were studied through investigation and using various analysis methods such as X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), light Optical microscope (LOM) and Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive analysis of elements (SEM-EDX). The results indicated that the type of the coffin wood is Cypress (Cupressussempervirens), and there are five types of fungi that had been grown on it. They are Aspergillusniger, Aspergilusflavus, Alternaria alternate, Emericella nidulans and Penicillium steckii. The ground layers consisted of two layers; coarse layer (clay plaster) and finer coat (lime plaster).The black, pink, and yellow pigments consisted of Pyrolusite, Hematite mixed with Gypsum and Goethite consecutively. The medium color was animal glue. Therefore, the current study included making conservation and maintenance of the coffin, mechanical and chemical cleaning, fixation of the paint layer flakes, facing (surface protection), sterilization, reinforcement...etc.
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Papers by Ashraf Owais
The Czech Institute of Egyptology made a very important discovery
of the Tomb of Nefer – a high-ranking official of the end of the Fifth
Dynasty in 2012. The tomb’s entrance corridor was decorated with
four limestone Naos statues. This paper describes the general
principles of the conservation treatment of the seriously degraded
limestone statues and presents a detailed description of the
conservation treatment of a selected statue which was completed
by Czech and Egyptian restorers (Naos statue in the eastern
part of the corridor, dimension 143 x 140 x 26 cm, with a cavetto
cornice, consists of three standing figures – two males and one
female in the middle).
The Czech Institute of Egyptology made a very important discovery
of the Tomb of Nefer – a high-ranking official of the end of the Fifth
Dynasty in 2012. The tomb’s entrance corridor was decorated with
four limestone Naos statues. This paper describes the general
principles of the conservation treatment of the seriously degraded
limestone statues and presents a detailed description of the
conservation treatment of a selected statue which was completed
by Czech and Egyptian restorers (Naos statue in the eastern
part of the corridor, dimension 143 x 140 x 26 cm, with a cavetto
cornice, consists of three standing figures – two males and one
female in the middle).