The focus of this study is to use a multi-analytical approach to map and identify the pigments used on a polychrome wooden coffin (Late Period), as well as to provide a deeper understanding of the painting techniques and the condition of the object. Moreover, the authors are significantly interested in the identification of the wood species. These were identified by observing the thin sections of samples under an optical transmission light microscope; the painted materials layered on the wood surface were analyzed by several scientific and analytical methods. Furthermore, the previous consolidation material and salts were also identified. The application of technical photography provided useful information about the spatial distribution of the surviving original pigments and the materials used in previous restoration interventions, in particular visible-induced luminescence, which played an important role to recognize spatial distribution of areas containing Egyptian blue, even if it is in traces or mixed with other pigments. However complete characterization of the pigments was only possible with the use of other techniques.
ResumoEste estudo pretende usar uma abordagem multi-analítica para mapear e identificar os pigmentos usados num sarcófago de madeira policromada (Época Baixa), assim como proporcionar um mais detalhado conhecimento das técnicas de pintura e do seu estado de conservação. Além disso, os autores estão especialmente interessados na identificação das espécies de madeira. Estas foram identificadas através da observação, ao microscópio óptico de transmissão, de lâminas delgadas e a camada cromática sobre a madeira foi analisada com o recurso a diferentes métodos de exame e análise. Além disso foram igualmente identificados o material de consolidação utilizado numa intervenção anterior e os sais. A fotografia técnica proporcionou informação útil sobre a distribuição espacial dos pigmentos originais e dos materiais usados em anteriores intervenções. A luminescência visível induzida foi sobremaneira útil para se perceber a distribuição do azul egípcio, mesmo quando em concentrações vestigiais ou misturado com outros pigmentos. No entanto, a caracterização detalhada dos pigmentos só foi possível através dos outros métodos usados.
Wood species identification and characterization of its weathering processes are crucial steps in the scientific approach of conservation of wooden cultural heritage. Many precious wooden objects of ancient Egypt are largely present in museums, nevertheless relatively little information is available concerning the nature of timber used and on their status of conservation. To address this gap, the wooden species of three relevant archaeological wood objects (statue, box, and coffin) arising from different Egyptian archaeological sites dated from the Old Kingdom (2,686–2,181 BC) to New Kingdom (1,550–1,069 BC) were deeply studied. Five hardwood and softwood species were identified belonging to Tamarix mannifera, T. gennessarensis, Ficus sycomorus, Vachellia nilotica, and Cedrus sp. Such data confirmed the recurrence of Vachellia and Tamarix among the most common timbers found in ancient Egypt. Scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform spectroscopy, and synchrotron x‐ray radiation diffraction were conducted to evaluate the archaeological wood deterioration. The formation of microcracks, biological degradation patterns (fungal colonization), or chemical characterization (accumulation of salts on and in‐between wooden cells) were detected. SEM micrographs showed the presence of fungal hyphae and conidial spores on the wooden cells. Significant changes in the chemical wood composition and decrease in the crystallinity index were detected.
The focus of this work is to shed more light on materials and decorating techniques used on a decorated wooden stick of king Tutankhamun. Moreover, the authors were interested in using a developed methodology to unfold the cylindrical decorations of the stick. The botanical species of the wood and bark samples were identified by observing thin sections under an optical transmission light microscope; the decorating materials layered on the wood surface were analyzed by scientific and analytical techniques including optical microscopy (OM), environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The analyses provided new information concerning the materials and decorating techniques that varied from top to bottom of the same stick. The characterization of this stick represents a first step in determining the materials and decorating techniques used to produce this particular kind of sticks during king’s Tutankhamun period.
To the best of our knowledge, such a detailed study on polychrome wooden shawabtis of King Tutankhamun (18th Dynasty in ancient Egypt) has not been reported in the literature, so the purpose of our study is to noninvasively identify the polychrome layers and previously applied materials for a number of wooden shawabtis that belong to King Tutankhamun through a protocol based on imaging techniques integrated with single-spot spectroscopic techniques. In the first step, imaging techniques (visible, ultraviolet induced visible luminescence, ultraviolet reflected, visible-induced infrared luminescence, infrared reflected, and infrared false color) and optical microscopy were applied to gather information and provide evidence on the distribution of original and previously applied materials on the polychrome surfaces. In the second step of our work, we analyzed the selected areas with single-spot analyses (handheld X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and visible reflectance spectroscopy) and X-ray diffraction analysis. The materials of the previous restoration interventions were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The application of a protocol based on imaging techniques integrated with data obtained from single-spot spectroscopic techniques allowed the characterization of a remarkable number of polychrome layers and some previous restoration materials and mapping of their distribution on the original surface, which provides not only essential data for the follow-up treatment and conservation works but also offers important information for the study of polychrome wooden shawabtis of other periods in ancient Egypt.
Organic monuments are very susceptible to insect damage. The cumulative effects of this damage can ultimately destroy the organic object. Therefore, it is important to constantly monitor collections for evidence of insect activity. This study aims to iden
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