202363

Different Cleaning Techniques for Removal of Iron stain from Archaeological Bone Artifacts: A Review

Article

Last updated: 01 Jan 2025

Subjects

-

Tags

Physical chemistry

Abstract

Archaeological bone artifacts are found in different locations in Egypt, and they represent multiple values that should be preserved from different deterioration factors. Iron contamination is considered one of the most aspects of deterioration for bones extracted from excavation areas. This study aims to make an integrated study for the first time on the formation of iron rust stain on archaeological bones, explain the aspects and mechanism of its deterioration, explain traditional and advanced techniques of cleaning used for stain removal, and presents the analysis and investigations used to explain the deterioration or evaluate the materials and methods used in this process. The nature and formation of iron stain and its effect on archaeological bone components were explained. The cleaning techniques (mechanical, chemical, laser, and plasma) for removing it were discussed. Some analyses and investigations [such as different types of microscopes, X-ray fluorescence, Atomic absorption, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, etc.] that can be used in this process were mentioned. The results confirmed that iron is present within sediments can lead to the breakdown of collagen. It can cause an increase in the porosity of bone artifacts. Hydroxyapatite can undergo alterations such as ionic exchange, cationic exchange, and substitution of phosphate with carbonate. All cleaning techniques have many advantages and some disadvantages. The choice of method for cleaning of iron rust stain depends on the condition and size of the bone piece, and on the thickness and nature of the iron stain.

DOI

10.21608/ejchem.2021.86363.4178

Keywords

Archaeological bone artifacts, Iron stain, deterioration, Color change, cleaning techniques, Analytical techniques

Authors

First Name

Gomaa

Last Name

Abdel-Maksoud

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Conservation Department, Faculty of Archaeology, Cairo University, P.O. 12613, Giza, Egypt

Email

gomaa2014@cu.edu.eg

City

Giza

Orcid

0000-0002-7964-5746

First Name

Hadeer

Last Name

Awad

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Conservation Department, Faculty of Archaeology, Cairo University, P. O. 12613,Giza, Egypt

Email

hadeerawad@cu.edu.eg

City

-

Orcid

-

First Name

Usama M.

Last Name

Rashed

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azahar University, Cairo Egypt

Email

usamarashed@yahoo.com

City

-

Orcid

-

Volume

65

Article Issue

5

Related Issue

29749

Issue Date

2022-05-01

Receive Date

2021-07-14

Publish Date

2022-05-01

Page Start

69

Page End

83

Print ISSN

0449-2285

Online ISSN

2357-0245

Link

https://ejchem.journals.ekb.eg/article_202363.html

Detail API

https://ejchem.journals.ekb.eg/service?article_code=202363

Order

7

Type

Review Articles

Type Code

444

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

Egyptian Journal of Chemistry

Publication Link

https://ejchem.journals.ekb.eg/

MainTitle

Different Cleaning Techniques for Removal of Iron stain from Archaeological Bone Artifacts: A Review

Details

Type

Article

Created At

22 Jan 2023