Examination and Restoration of an artifact of cartonnage from komombo excavation, Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Professor of Archaeology Restoration - Faculty of Archaeology, Fayoum University - Former Dean of the Faculty of Archaeology, Aswan University

2 Professor and Head of the Restoration Department Faculty of Archaeology - South Valley University

3 Conservation Specialist - Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities - Aswan and Nubia Antiquities area

Abstract

This research aims to identify the components of an archaeological artifact of Cartonnage dating back 
to the Roman era from an excavation in southern Egypt, Komombo area, by examining and analyzing 
chromatic (colorful) samples from it.
And for this purpose the light optical microscope (LOM) and scanning electron microscope coupled 
with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX) are used. And the Fourier transforms infrared 
spectroscopies (FTIR) is used to identify the quality of the preparation layer and the bonding material 
(animal glue) and it was found that the preparation layer is Consists of calcite (a compound Calcium 
carbonate).
Examining samples of the preparatory layer of the artifact, it became clear that it consists of two 
layers, the first coarse layer is composed of Calcium carbonate and the second layer is fine and smooth 
and the layers were identified and thicknesses were calculated by SEM-EDX.
The treatment plan for the artifact included consolidation it after cleaning it with klucel G dissolved in 
ethyl alcohol with 3% concentration for the colored parts of the cartonnage, also included injection of 
cracks and micro-cracks and consolidation the weak parts using paraloid B72 dissolved in acetone 
with 3% concentration.

Keywords

International Journal of Advanced Studies in World Archaeology
Volume 4, Issue 1
June 2021
Pages 260-273

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