| Egyptian Journal of Archeological and Restoration Studies

Authors:
Khallaf, M.
Ass Prof Conservation Dep., Faculty of Archaeology, Fayoum Univ., Fayoum, Egypt

Abstract:
Church of St. Srabamoun is located in Al-Ptanon city, Menoufia Governorate, The building materials of the church were exposure to deterioration and degradation, so that many deterioration phenomena were appeared. Building materials which include , bricks, stones, mortars and the plaster layers in addition to salts and under ground water had been studied by polarizing microscope (PM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and chemical analysis to identify their components. On the other hand physical and mechanical properties were measured. As shown through examinations and analyses that brick consists mainly of clay minerals in addition to quartz XRD analysis of stone showed that the stone is include mainly of calcite in addition to quartz and halite. The mortar used for building consists of gypsum, calcite and quartz in the form of sand, and plaster layers were contained calcite and quartz with the addition of gypsum. It found that stones affected by surrounding environmental factors and agricultural environment in the site of the Church, in addition to the lack of sanitation in the region which led to leakage of water irrigation and drainage in the soil in the site of church. In addition to the presence of salts dramatically in the soil, this led to crystallization of salts, loss and disintegration of mineral grains. The discussion dealt with the interpretation of deterioration phenomena of building materials. Finally, discussed the important recommendations for the restoration, treatment and conservation of building materials of St. Srabamoun Church.

Keywords:
St. Srabamoun Church, Stones, Brick, Plaster layers, deterioration, Conservation

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