| Abstract | Wood species identification and characterization of its weathering processes are crucial steps in the scientific approach of conservation of wooden cultural heritage. Many precious wooden objects of ancient Egypt are largely present in museums, nevertheless relatively little information is available concerning the nature of timber used and on their status of conservation. To address this gap, the wooden species of three relevant archaeological wood objects (statue, box, and coffin) arising from different Egyptian archaeological sites dated from the Old Kingdom (2,686-2,181 BC) to New Kingdom (1,550-1,069 BC) were deeply studied. Five hardwood and softwood species were identified belonging to Tamarix mannifera, T. gennessarensis, Ficus sycomorus, Vachellia nilotica, and Cedrus sp. Such data confirmed the recurrence of Vachellia and Tamarix among the most common timbers found in ancient Egypt. Scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform spectroscopy, and synchrotron x-ray radiation diffraction were conducted to evaluate the archaeological wood deterioration. The formation of microcracks, biological degradation patterns (fungal colonization), or chemical characterization (accumulation of salts on and in-between wooden cells) were detected. SEM micrographs showed the presence of fungal hyphae and conidial spores on the wooden cells. Significant changes in the chemical wood composition and decrease in the crystallinity index were detected. |
| Text | 472528 2022 10.1111/arcm.12815 Scopus 2 s2.0 85137210670 archaeological wood fungi hardwood and softwood species SEM FTIR synchrotron x ray radiation diffraction New data on relevant ancient Egyptian wooden artifacts Identification of wooden species and study of the state of conservation with multidisciplinary analyses Geweely N.; Abu Taleb A.; Ibrahim S.; Grenni P.; Caneva G.; Galotta G.; Abdallah M.; Atwa D.; Plaisier J.; Antonelli F. Geweely N., Abu Taleb A. Faculty of Science, Botany and Microbiology Department, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt Ibrahim S. Faculty of Science, Botany and Microbiology Department, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt; Ministry of Antiquities, Museums sector, Grand Egyptian Museum, Cairo, Egypt Grenni P. IRSA CNR Caneva G. Department of Science, University Roma TRE, Rome, Italy Galotta G. Ministry of Culture MIC , Biology Laboratory, Istituto Centrale per il Restauro ICR , Rome, Italy Abdallah M. Conservation of Saqqara storerooms, Ministry of antiquities, Giza, Egypt Atwa D. Ministry of Antiquities, Museums sector, Grand Egyptian Museum, Cairo, Egypt Plaisier J. Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste SCpA, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy Antonelli F. Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro Food and Forestry Systems DIBAF , Tuscia University, Viterbo, Italy Wood species identification and characterization of its weathering processes are crucial steps in the scientific approach of conservation of wooden cultural heritage. Many precious wooden objects of ancient Egypt are largely present in museums, nevertheless relatively little information is available concerning the nature of timber used and on their status of conservation. To address this gap, the wooden species of three relevant archaeological wood objects statue, box, and coffin arising from different Egyptian archaeological sites dated from the Old Kingdom 2,686 2,181 BC to New Kingdom 1,550 1,069 BC were deeply studied. Five hardwood and softwood species were identified belonging to Tamarix mannifera, T. gennessarensis, Ficus sycomorus, Vachellia nilotica, and Cedrus sp. Such data confirmed the recurrence of Vachellia and Tamarix among the most common timbers found in ancient Egypt. Scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform spectroscopy, and synchrotron x ray radiation diffraction were conducted to evaluate the archaeological wood deterioration. The formation of microcracks, biological degradation patterns fungal colonization , or chemical characterization accumulation of salts on and in between wooden cells were detected. SEM micrographs showed the presence of fungal hyphae and conidial spores on the wooden cells. Significant changes in the chemical wood composition and decrease in the crystallinity index were detected. Published version http //www.scopus.com/record/display.url eid=2 s2.0 85137210670 origin=inward 24/07/2022 Articolo pubblicato WoodenStatue_Dina_AppliedSciences.pdf Articolo in rivista Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art. Oxford University, 0003 813X Archaeometry Archaeometry Archaeometry Archaeometry. paola.grenni GRENNI PAOLA |
