| Egyptian Journal of Archeological and Restoration Studies

Authors:
Metwaly, D. ¹ , ² , Elewa, H. ¹ & Saleh, M. <sup>2

1</sup> Water Resourses dept., Engineering Application & Water Division, (NARSS), Cairo, Egypt
² Conservation dept., Faculty of Archaeology, Cairo Univ., Giza, Egypt

Abstract:
The Fortress of Babylon (Hisn Babilyan) has a great strategic importance as archaeological site. Archaeological sites in the Old Cairo area (Misr el-Qadima) are at great risk due to many human and natural factors. The Babylon Fortress located in Al-Fustat area; therefore, the Roman tower is an ideal model to illustrate the geo-environmental problems affecting the Old Cairo area. There are various aspects of damage in the lower part of the Roman tower, including the rise in groundwater, extensive biological damage to the walls, followed by the crystallization of salts, in addition to the growth plant, with the stains of bats and pigeons on the walls of the tower. A number of different samples were collected for analysis to diagnose the actual condition of the Roman tower. The samples were examined using the X-Ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided with Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Total dissolved salts (TDS) were determined, and interpreted by Piper plot to determine the groundwater genesis. Piper diagram indicated the dominance of meteoric surface water leaching to sulfate and carbonate cement rocks with MgSO4 water type. This examination helped identifying the stone and mortar components moreover the types of salts affecting the building materials. E. coli was present in very high numbers in the investigated groundwater sample, with a count of ≥ 2400 CFU/100 ml with a total microbial count of 410 CFU/ml., as well as heavy metals was analyzed which indicated founding pollutions due to different pollutes. The XRD pattern of the limestone samples showed that the samples are mainly composed of Calcite CaCO3 (81%) as the main component. Albite NaAlSi3O8 (8.2%), Dolomite CaMg (CO3)2 (3.3%), Quartz SiO2 (3.1%), and halite NaCl (4.4%). The mortar samples showed that the samples are mainly composed of quartz SiO2 (96.1%) and Calcite CaCO3 (3.1%). A small amount of Halite NaCl (0.4%) and Sylvite (KCl 0.5%) were found. Roman tower needs an urgent project to preserve it, prevent its deterioration and preserve it as an important world cultural heritage for generations

Keywords:
Historic Cairo Al-Fustat area Cultural heritage Groundwater Babylon Fortress XRD SEM

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