Evaluation of guar gum for the consolidation of some cellulosic packaging materials for mummies

Abstract

As known, linen and muslin cotton fibers are used in museums and excavation areas as packaging materials for first aid of mummies. These materials with the course of long-term exposure to improper surrounding conditions become brittle, fragile, and very weak. The current research study aimed to evaluate the effect of guar gum with different concentrations for the consolidation of linen and muslin cotton samples. Additionally, the work aimed also to monitor the changes in the properties of these materials after accelerated heat aging at 100℃. The analytical techniques used for this purpose were Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for examining the chemical changes, the morphological structure via using scanning electron microscope (SEM), mechanical properties (tensile strength and elongation), color and weight change for the treated linen and muslin cotton fabrics. The findings of FTIR proved that there were low chemical changes in the aged treated samples compared to the aged untreated samples implying that the chemical stability of the treated samples was increased while treatment with guar gum. There was good distribution in the fiber structure of the treated samples as shown from SEM data. The aged treated samples showed less destruction in the fiber structure compared to the aged untreated samples. The mechanical properties were also improved. The total color differences obtained from treated and aged treated muslin cotton samples were better than the linen samples. Moreover, the accelerated heat aging had an effect on the weight of the aged treated samples, which were better than the aged untreated samples.

The Restoration of Mummies in Ancient Egypt

“…Linen fibers are considered one of the earliest materials that have been used by the Egyptians because they are long and strong. Linen consists of cellulose, which is the principal element, and noncellulose compounds such as hemicellulose, Pectin, lignin, fats and waxes, mineral salts, natural coloring matter, and watery soluble compounds Abdel- Maksoud et al [89]. Linen has been used in the mummification process as bandages or wraps through different ages in ancient Egypt.…”

Different Cleaning Techniques for Removal of Iron stain from Archaeological Bone Artifacts: A Review

“…FTIR became vital in the conservation field.it can be used for deferent purposes (deterioration detectionand evaluation of the conservation materials and methods,especially in the experimentalstudies [66][67][68][69][70][71][72] according to Shahack-Grosset al [73], Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy used to analyse the stains and distingusied between different stains. It can also be used for the identifiction of the effect of stains on bone components, especially for collagen.…”