| Egyptian Journal of Archeological and Restoration Studies

Authors:
Abd El-Tawab, N. ¹ & Askalany, M. <sup>2

1</sup> Conservation dep., Faculty of Archaeology, South Valley Univ., Qena, Egypt ,
² Geology Dep., Faculty of Science South Valley Univ., Qena, Egypt

Abstract:
Alabaster is an ornamental stone that was widely used in ancient Egypt and it had a lot of deterioration factors. The present paper deals with two types of alabaster that located at Wadi Sannur and Wadi El Assuity, and their durability and geotechnical characteristics. These characteristics were examined before and after artificial ageing using simple analytical methods. Physical and mechanical properties were carried out on samples from quarries providing each type and the same samples were then exposed to artificial ageing with sodium chloride and heat which effectively produced deterioration comparable with that in Luxor and Karnak temples. The results were tested on different alabaster objects from Luxor and Karnak temples where the use of alabaster. The study was also aimed to evaluate the efficiency of the various commercial silane-based and acrylic products in laboratory in order to recommend the protective treatment for the conservative treatment of the alabaster. To fulfill this goal a soaking characterization and accelerated ageing tests were performed. Quite satisfying results have been observed, except for the original color of the alabaster samples and for particular condition of application.

Keywords:
Alabaster; Wadi Sannur; Wadi Assiuty; Ageing; Consolidant

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