Unexpected excavation of the Osirian statuette was inaugurated in 2021 during a conservation project at the first step in the western façade of King Djoser Pyramid which dates back to the Ptolemaic era. Varies strategies of the examination techniques, such as stereo and polarizing microscopes, and scanning electron microscopy coupled to energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry and X-ray diffraction were undertaken to characterize the chemical structure of gilt-layer, preparatory layer, and bronze alloy to evaluate their condition. This paper describes the actual condition of the statuette after excavation inside the King Djoser Pyramid, and characterization of the corrosion phases, and determines the best technique for conservation. Visual investigation revealed that the core of the bronze statuette was in good condition, but most gold with gesso was misplaced. Investigation and analyses results demonstrate that amazing technique which gilding has been accomplished as a thin layer over the white substrate from gesso. X-ray diffraction establishes that cuprite and atacamite resulting from the activation corrosion were the major minerals covering the statuette. Besides, calcite and gypsum were detected, which are to be a part of the preparatory layer. EDX results demonstrate that pure gold was likely used in the gilding layer. The gilt-bronze statuette was made of multi-layered surfaces. The solid cast was used in the crafting technique. Fixation of remaining plaster to metal was undertaken using Clucel G (4%). The figure was immediately treated via popular methods as mechanical tools and solvents. Benzotriazole inhibitor (3%) was used to cure the activation of bronze disease. The coating system was applied by using 3% paraloid B72. Finally, the statuette was preserved in the storage with the appropriate conditions.
This paper presents scientific investigations of three ancient Roman coins excavated from Al Sheikh Zuweid, Sinai city in 2002. A punch of examination and analytical techniques consists of stereo microscope, optical microscope, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) are used to study the morphological characteristics of the coins patina, to identify the chemical composition of the metallic core, to determine the corrosion products and to understand the corrosion mechanism. The results indicate that copper is the major element of the three coins with small proportion of silver and tin. The presence of tin in the composition of two coins refers to bronze alloy. The identification of the exact corrosion products is determined by XRD analysis. The results reveal that the corrosion products consist mainly of cuprite and tenorite. Also, the results indicate that the coins were buried in a soil rich in chloride ions due to the presence of copper hydroxychlorides such as paratacmite and atacamite. Metallographic investigation is used to reveal the coins manufacture and identify spatial distribution of the alloy components and phases. Also, metallographic investigation indicates pitting corrosion resulted from the attack of chloride and the occurrence of a "bronze disease" phenomenon. The results of this study can provide valuable information that helping in conservation and preservation of the archaeological coins.
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