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131476

An Analytical Study for Understanding the Degradation Process of a Late Period Mummy

Article

Last updated: 25 Dec 2024

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Tags

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Abstract

Ancient mummies suffer from degradation as a result of the improper conditions which are changing both the chemical and physical properties of the materials. This study aims to ex-plain the chemical changes of an Egyptian mummy dating back to the late period. Multiple analytical techniques have been executed to characterize the different components of the mummy: optical microscopy, stereo microscopy, scanning electron microscopy-energy dis-persive X-ray spectroscopy, attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectrosco-py, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. The results revealed that the Natron salt exist-ed over the linen wraps and also the hydroxyapatite and collagen as chemical components of the bone with the presence of the mastic resin and beeswax as embalming materials. The in-correct packing method had a negative effect through which the surrounding humidity around the mummy's body accelerated the reaction between the water vapor and the mummy's components. The water molecules of humidity interacted with the Natron salt to form a basic medium, and the humid conditions promoted the microbial and insect activity. The analytical investigation showed the fabric embrittlement in the wrapping and the diagenetic alterations in the bone.

DOI

10.21608/arcs.2020.46833.1009

Keywords

Egyptian mummy, Degradation, Humidity, Analytical techniques, Environmental conditions

Authors

First Name

Mina

Last Name

Magdy

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, 17611, Cairo, Egypt

Email

minamagdy_2000@yahoo.com

City

Cairo

Orcid

0000-0003-0381-9399

First Name

Mostafa

Last Name

Ismail

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, 17611, Cairo, Egypt

Email

mostafanmec2020@gmail.com

City

Cairo

Orcid

-

First Name

Yousry

Last Name

Issa

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, 12613 Giza, Egypt

Email

yousrymi@yahoo.com

City

Giza

Orcid

-

First Name

Gomaa

Last Name

Abdel-Maksoud

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Conservation Department, Faculty of Archaeology, Cairo University, 12613 Giza, Egypt

Email

gomaaabdelmaksoud@yahoo.com

City

Giza

Orcid

-

First Name

Medhat

Last Name

Ibrahim

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Spectroscopy Department, Physics Division, National Research Center, 12622 Giza, Egypt

Email

medahmed6@yahoo.com

City

Cairo

Orcid

-

Volume

1

Article Issue

2

Related Issue

19393

Issue Date

2020-12-01

Receive Date

2020-10-18

Publish Date

2020-12-21

Page Start

13

Page End

30

Print ISSN

2682-3454

Online ISSN

2682-3462

Link

https://arcs.journals.ekb.eg/article_131476.html

Detail API

https://arcs.journals.ekb.eg/service?article_code=131476

Order

2

Type

Original Article

Type Code

1,070

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

Advanced Research in Conservation Science

Publication Link

https://arcs.journals.ekb.eg/

MainTitle

An Analytical Study for Understanding the Degradation Process of a Late Period Mummy

Details

Type

Article

Created At

22 Jan 2023