| Egyptian Journal of Archeological and Restoration Studies

Authors:
Abd Elghany, M. ¹ (*), Fahid, H. ² & El-Gohary, M. <sup>3

1</sup> Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Sohag Sector, Sohag, Egypt
² Egyptology dept., Faculty of Archaeology, Sohag Univ., Sohag, Egypt
³ Conservation dept., Faculty of Archaeology, Zagazig Univ., Zagazig, Egypt

Abstract:
The temple of Ptolemy XII (Aulits) in Athribis to the west of Sohag, Upper Egypt, was built from several types of limestone from the mountain range adjacent to the west of the temple site. This paper, on the one hand, explains the types of limestone used in the construction and engraving of the temple's architectural elements. It explores the manifestations of damage that affected these stones, such as cracks, stratigraphic separation, and granular disintegration. On the other hand, it discusses the evaluation results of ammonium oxalates used in treating the temple’s stone using different techniques, such as defining the weight changes, visual appearance by USB stereo microscope (SM), important physio-mechanical. Abrasion resistance was determined using a Standard wide wheel, and the hydrophobicity was evaluated by an Automated contact angle meter. Finally, a Quanta 250 SEM-EDX was used to investigate the morphological features and elemental composition of the samples. The results proved that ammonium oxalates gave the best results in most experimental tests, where, it achieved sufficient consolidation target for temple’s stone and success in maintaining the general appearance of the treated experimental samples, Furthermore, the results of physical and mechanical properties measurements showed an improvement of the average physical properties of the samples after being treated with amm-onium oxalates. In addition, it showed an improvement in abrasion resistance rates and an increase in hydrophobicity of limestone samples after the treatment process Finally, SEM exami-nation results illustrated the good diffusion of ammonium oxalates and their success in binding the separated calcite grains while maintaining the natural pores of the experimental limestone samples. Thus, it was applied as a consolidant of limestone in this temple.

Keywords:
Ptolemy XII (Aulits) Limestone Granular disintegration Ammonium oxalates (AmOx) Treatment Consolidation

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