The present study aims to investigate and identify the layers, components, and
painting techniques of a mural painting in Ain el-Lebekha Temple located in
Kharga Oasis, the capital of the New Valley Governorate, about 200 km to the
Nile valley and 232 km to the south of Asyut city, forming a depression of 160
km long and 80 km wide. Archaeological and historical references pointed out
that Ain el-Lebekha dates back to the Roman period between the 2nd and 5th
centuries AD. Multi analytical and investigation studies were done to identify and
define the compositions, techniques, and components, and state of the mural
painting layers in Ain el-Lebekha Temple. Moreover, the investigations and examinations
with the optical microscope, polarizing microscope, and scanning
electron microscope were used to show the state, number and technique of the
surfaces and painting layers. XRD, FTIR, and SEM-EDS analytical methods were
used to identify the compositions of the mural painting layers and ground layers.
They illustrated that calcite and quartz were used in the ground layer, hematite in
the red pigment paint, and the Arabic gum as an organic medium in the painting
process. The obtained results will enrich our knowledge about mural paintings
and materials in an important archaeological site of the Greco-Roman art in
Egypt to support the restoration plan.