Biodeterioration Assessment of a Unique Old Pharaonic Kingdom Wooden Statue Using Advanced Diagnostic Techniques

Abstract

A recently discovered Egyptian wooden statue of King Djedefre was studied together with some surrounding burial soil samples for assessing the statue biodeterioration. The wooden morphological characterisation identified the hardwood Acacia nilotica as the wood type. X-ray diffraction, micro-FT-IR spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy with an X-ray spectrometer were used to evaluate the wood deterioration degree and the soil contribution in wood biodeterioration. Microbiological analyses (fluorescent in situ hybridisation and polymerase chain reaction) were also performed to detect the microbial attack on the statue. The prolonged interaction of the statue with the burial environment caused a strong wood decay due to biotic (fungi and bacteria) and abiotic factors (e.g., humidity fluctuations of the burial environment), which caused the severe cracking and collapsing of the wood structures. The analyses of the burial soil mineral composition were relevant for obtaining an overall picture of the statue deterioration. The results are useful for planning the right conservation procedures for this very particular and important wooden statue. Furthermore, analysis of the woody cell wall will help in the selection of appropriate consolidation and recovery treatments. Because the statue is a unique single piece of wood, and the morphological observations indicated that it is a bald woman in a sitting position, this statue will provide new and interesting knowledge of Egyptian culture.

Eco-Friendly Preservation of Pharaonic Wooden Artifacts using Natural Green Products

“…Their sensitivity to fungal attack and their durability can vary among wood species, and we can also note that the ancient Egyptians selected the most resistant woods to preserve their artefacts [1,7]. In the case of archaeological wood, the large contact surface area of artefacts with the funerary burial soil causes wood corrosion, as recently observed for a statue attacked by fungi that caused the cracking and wrinkling of the wooden structures [7].…”

“…The decay caused by wood-destroying fungi belonging to Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Deuteromycetes, and their responsibility for the irreversible heritage loss of archaeological wooden artifacts, has been highlighted by several authors [5,6]. Their sensitivity to fungal attack and their durability can vary among wood species, and we can also note that the ancient Egyptians selected the most resistant woods to preserve their artefacts [1,7]. In the case of archaeological wood, the large contact surface area of artefacts with the funerary burial soil causes wood corrosion, as recently observed for a statue attacked by fungi that caused the cracking and wrinkling of the wooden structures [7].…”