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287886

Characterization and Conservation of Bronze Coins Excavated from Tell Timai, El Sembelawen, Daqahleya, Egypt

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Last updated: 01 Jan 2025

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Abstract

Several archaeological coins were discovered in Tell Timai, Elsembelawen, Daqahleya. They were heavily corroded and in a bad state of preservation. Different corrosion products mixed with soil encrustation totally obscured the surface. The present paper aims to identify the morphology and composition of the alloy and corrosion products, perform a condition assessment and determine the best methods for treatment. Therefore, an analytical and characterization study on coin samples was carried out using X-ray diffraction analysis and portable X-ray fluorescence to understand the nature and composition of the alloy and patina. The results indicated the deterioration of the coins. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the corrosion layers were mostly composed of chlorides, sulfates, and carbonates with some soil residues of gypsum and other compounds. X-ray fluorescence results showed that the coins consisted of ternary alloy [copper, tin, and lead ].The composition of the coins indicated that several coins were high-leaded bronze, except one made from leaded copper. Finally, the results obtained help choose the best treatment and conservation methods. The conservation of the coins required removing the soiled deposits, encrustations, and corrosion layers covering the coins completely while preserving their integrity.

DOI

10.21608/ejchem.2022.156733.6797

Keywords

Bronze coins, XRD, Portable XRF, Corrosion products, Leaded bronze, Leaded copper, conservation

Authors

First Name

Eman

Last Name

Elsisi

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Conservator at the Ministry of Antiquities

Email

dremanelsisi@gmail.com

City

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Orcid

-

First Name

Mai

Last Name

Rifai

MiddleName

Mohamed

Affiliation

Conservation department, Faculty of Archaeology, Cairo University

Email

mai.rifai@cu.edu.eg

City

Cairo

Orcid

-

First Name

Hanaa

Last Name

Nasr

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Polymer Dept., National research centre

Email

hanaa_nasr@hotmail.com

City

-

Orcid

-

Volume

66

Article Issue

11

Related Issue

43443

Issue Date

2023-11-01

Receive Date

2022-08-16

Publish Date

2023-11-01

Page Start

345

Page End

352

Print ISSN

0449-2285

Online ISSN

2357-0245

Link

https://ejchem.journals.ekb.eg/article_287886.html

Detail API

https://ejchem.journals.ekb.eg/service?article_code=287886

Order

287,886

Type

Original Article

Type Code

297

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

Egyptian Journal of Chemistry

Publication Link

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

MainTitle

Characterization and Conservation of Bronze Coins Excavated from Tell Timai, El Sembelawen, Daqahleya, Egypt

Details

Type

Article

Created At

30 Dec 2024