| Egyptian Journal of Archeological and Restoration StudiesASSESSMENT OF DECAY CAUSES OF VENUS MARBLE STATUE IN MERIT AMOUN PARK –AKHMIM, EGYPT
Document Type: Original Article
DOI: 10.21608/ejars.2026.511044
pages: 31-42
Asem, M 1 , Abdelhafiz, A. 2 & El-Gohary, M. 3
1 Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities, Sohag National Museum, Sohag, Egypt.
2 Photogrammetry and Laser Scanning Survey dept., Faculty of Engineering, Assuit Univ., Assuit, Egypt.
3 Conservation dept., Faculty of Archaeology, Zagazig Univ., Zagazig, Egypt.
Abstract:
This paper discusses the environmental conditions affecting archaeological statues in Egypt, highlighting the decaying factors, mechanisms, and forms identified through documentation and analytical methods. Akhmim, one of the oldest Egyptian cities in Sohag, Upper Egypt, is home to several statues that suffer from decay due to two primary causes: environmental factors and harmful cultural practices. This study presents the results of scientific analysis conducted on one of the most significant decay factors impacting the Roman marble statue of (Venus) at the Ramses II Temple in Akhmim. The goal is to understand how a densely populated envi-ronment contributed to the material’s degradation. Documentation methods including weathering mapping and the use of the 3D zephyr 6.009 program, as well as Close Inspection and Complimentary Survey (CICS), utilizing both manual and electronic measurement tools to identify evidence of different past human activity in the study area. Furthermore, samples taken from the statue and a nearby well were analyzed using various techniques, including, digital and petrographic microscopy, Scanning Electron microscope coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Atomic Absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Results revealed that the statue is primarily composed of calcite as an essential component of marble and minor amounts of dolomite. The main deterioration products were identified as halite salt and clay minerals, which result from numerous decaying factors and relevant mech-anisms attributed to human activities, air pollution, and the aggressive impact of groundwater and domestic wastewater. Additionally, alternative cycles of drying and wetting were found to play an essential role in the ongoing deterioration.
Keywords:
Venus marble statue Marble Akhmim Documentation Merit Amoun Park Decay causes
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