Treatment and Conservation of Six Egyptian Archaeological Stone Sarcophagi

Abstract

Tel El – Deir (tēlāl-dịr) is an archaeological site in Damietta governorate (Egypt), where many stone sarcophagi were excavated. This paper deals with the treatment and conservation processes of the selected six sarcophagi. Examinations and analyses of stone sarcophagi samples were studied using different scientific methods; firstly Petrography study by a polarizing microscope which shows that limestone consists mainly of calcite, beside fossils, iron oxides, clay minerals and some fine grained quartz. Secondly, scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) examination which shows that the crystals were worn out by the effect of the dissolving of some components, loose the binding materials between grains by the effect of salt crystallization, cavities and finally, micro cracks. Thirdly, X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis which shows that limestone consists of calcite, dolomite, and quartz in addition to halite traces. The restoration and conservation processes of these objects were carried out using mechanical cleaning, chemical cleaning, extraction of salts, the collecting of disintegration parts, completing of missing parts and consolidation and isolation processes.