Consolidation of Archaeological Papyrus: Evaluation of Selected Materials

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science & Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109 , Australia

2 Restoration Department, Faculty of Archaeology, Fayoum University, Fayoum, 63514, Egypt

3 Restoration Department, Faculty of Archaeology, Cairo University, Giza, 12613, Egypt

Abstract

Ancient papyrus sheets contain valuable information from old civilizations. Consolidation process is a vital step in restoration process of archaeological papyri to strengthen the papyrus fibers and saves archaeological papyri for the next generations. This research assessed the effect of Funori, Isinglass, Starch, Hydroxypropyl cellulose, and Methyl cellulose in treatment of modern papyrus samples. The evaluation was conducted through applying the selected materials on papyrus sheets surface by brush and examine the sheets before and after artificial accelerated ageing. The effectiveness was investigated by measuring the mechanical properties of papyrus fibers such as tensile strength and elongation as well as study the color change using CIELAB system. Moreover, Scanning Electron Microscope was used to investigate the surface morphology of treated samples before and after ageing. The results revealed that Hydroxypropyl cellulose and Methyl cellulose achieved a better penetration and distribution in papyrus structure leading to fibres protection after thermal ageing. Moreover, only a slight colour change in papyrus surface was observed comparing with the other materials. However, starch has the lowest efficacy in papyrus consolidation.

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Egyptian Journal of Chemistry
Volume 65, Issue 10
October 2022
Pages 537-541

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History

  • Receive Date: 16 January 2022
  • Revise Date: 03 February 2022
  • Accept Date: 18 February 2022

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