Papers by medhat abdallah
Open Archaeology, 2022
To the best of our knowledge, such a detailed study on polychrome wooden shawabtis of King Tutank... more 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 ...
The boat model studied here belonged to Pharaoh Tutankhamun (1337-1347 B.C). It consists of sever... more The boat model studied here belonged to Pharaoh Tutankhamun (1337-1347 B.C). It consists of several wooden pieces connected with different wooden joints and is decorated with painted layers. This study aims to use non-destructive analytical techniques in order to provide a deeper understanding of the painting and assembly techniques and to identify the wood species. Moreover, the authors were significantly interested in the condition of the object and the previous restoration interventions, so as to establish suitable treatment methods. Visual observation and assessment were done to understand the deterioration aspects, to be illustrated by a 2D Program, as well as the jointing methods, which were illustrated by the 3D.Max Program. Imaging techniques using IR Fluorescence and IR False Color, Optical Microscopy (OM), Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) were used in this study. Studies that inclu...
This paper describes conservation processes of an Ancient Egyptian painted wooden coffin dating b... more This paper describes conservation processes of an Ancient Egyptian painted wooden coffin dating back to Graeco-Roman period using several scientific and analytical methods in order to provide a deeper understanding of the deterioration status, and a greater awareness of how well preserved the object is. Visual observation and 2D Program as well as Optical Microscopy (OM), Environmental scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) were used in our study. Studies that include the identification of wood species, ground layer, red paint layer, binding medium and previous restoration materials were made. The coffin was previously conserved and stored in improper conditions which led to its further deterioration, the surface of the lid was extensively embedded with dust and bird droppings which obscured the decorations as well as missing and peeled painted gesso layers in many places and previous plaster fills obscured ori...
The stick studied here dates back to the new kingdom, 18th dynasty, King Tutankhamen (1337-1347 B... more The stick studied here dates back to the new kingdom, 18th dynasty, King Tutankhamen (1337-1347 B.C). More than 130 sticks and staves were founded in the tomb of Tutankhamen; many of the forms were clearly for ritual while others showed signs of use. Here we will will shed light on one of the ritual stick, where materials of decoration and conservation processes were investigated. Visual assessment, Optical Microscopy (OM), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) were used in this study to elucidate the components of the stick, deterioration aspects and identify the previous conservation materials. Conservation processes entailed cleaning, removal of improper previous conservation material and filling gaps and voids.
The focus of this paper is to reveal unknown features and to obtain still more information on tec... more The focus of this paper is to reveal unknown features and to obtain still more information on technology of wood working used on the black shrine-shaped boxes from Tutankhamen collection. Moreover, the authors were significantly interested in identification of the wood species and shed lit on the reflection of The sudden death of the young king, the value of wood and its relative scarcity, not only in ingenious shrines construction methods and the incorporation of many fragments of timber, but also in the presence numerous pieces that show clear evidence of reuse from earlier objects. Patching, even for the royal wood workings, with another piece of wood secured by dowels and white pastes was one option and knots holes were sometimes drilled out and filled with plugs. The botanical species of the wood samples were identified by observing the thin sections under an optical transmission light microscope; technology of wood working were examined by visible imaging and raking light alon...
The wooden offering table studied here dates back to the Middle Kingdom (2040 – 1782 B.C), and co... more The wooden offering table studied here dates back to the Middle Kingdom (2040 – 1782 B.C), and consists of wood and yellow pigment. This study aims to use analytical techniques to identify the components of the table and to understand its deterioration aspects. Visual assessment, isolation and identification of fungi, ultraviolet spectroscopy scanning, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to assess wood deterioration and degradation, to identify wood species, pigments, and previous preservation and restoration materials. The results revealed that the wood species is cypress (Cupressus sempervirens L.), used for the body of the offering table, while the dowels are made of hardwood; the pigment used on the table is yellow ochre and the previous preservation and restoration materials are a mixture of beeswax and rosin. The offering table is severely damaged by old fung...
The boat model studied here belonged to Pharaoh Tutankhamun (1337-1347 B.C). It consists of sever... more The boat model studied here belonged to Pharaoh Tutankhamun (1337-1347 B.C). It consists of several wooden pieces connected with different wooden joints and is decorated with painted layers. This study aims to use non-destructive analytical techniques in order to provide a deeper understanding of the painting and assembly techniques and to identify the wood species. Moreover, the authors were significantly interested in the condition of the object and the previous restoration interventions, so as to establish suitable treatment methods. Visual observation and assessment were done to understand the deterioration aspects, to be illustrated by a 2D Program, as well as the jointing methods, which were illustrated by the 3D.Max Program. Imaging techniques using IR Fluorescence and IR False Color, Optical Microscopy (OM), Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) were used in this study. Studies that inclu...
The focus of this paper is to reveal unknown features and to obtain still more information on tec... more The focus of this paper is to reveal unknown features and to obtain still more information on technology of wood working used on the black shrine-shaped boxes from Tutankhamen collection. Moreover, the authors were significantly interested in identification of the wood species and shed lit on the reflection of The sudden death of the young king, the value of wood and its relative scarcity, not only in ingenious shrines construction methods and the incorporation of many fragments of timber, but also in the presence numerous pieces that show clear evidence of reuse from earlier objects. Patching, even for the royal wood workings, with another piece of wood secured by dowels and white pastes was one option and knots holes were sometimes drilled out and filled with plugs. The botanical species of the wood samples were identified by observing the thin sections under an optical transmission light microscope; technology of wood working were examined by visible imaging and raking light alon...
Conservar Património, 2017
The focus of this study is to use a multi-analytical approach to map and identify the pigments us... more 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. Resumo Este 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.
Conservar Património, 2019
The focus of this work is to shed more light on materials and decorating techniques used on a dec... more 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 k...
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2018
This paper describes for the first time in detail the investigation of a gilded wooden bed from k... more This paper describes for the first time in detail the investigation of a gilded wooden bed from king Tutankhamun's funerary collection since the discovery of the tomb in 1922; with the aim of identifying the botanical species of wood and the chemical composition of the materials used in the preparatory gilding layers and also the materials used in the previous treatments interventions. The botanical species of wood and textile were identified by observing the thin sections under an optical transmission light microscope; the gilding materials layered on the wood surface and the previous treatment materials were analyzed by several scientific and analytical measures including visible-induced ultraviolet luminescence (UVL), optical microscopy (OM), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Cross-sections of gilding layers were also performed and studied by OM and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). The microscopic observation of wood thin sections made it possible to identify the wood used in the legs and angle brackets as Acacia sp, whereas Tamarix sp was used for the foot boards. Four preparation layers were observed on the wood surface via micro-stratigraphic analysis. An interesting black layer made of carbon (from vegetable and animal origin) was found between the wood surface and woven linen layer, the white preparation layer was identified as calcium carbonate and the coarse paste layer proved to be a mixture of calcite, quartz and hematite. The organic binder was composed of a protein-based material, most probably animal glue. Additionally, different materials were identified from previous treatments interventions. The analyses provided detailed information concerning the original materials and the materials added during the previous treatment interventions, which need to be considered when applying a future conservation plan.
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Papers by medhat abdallah