The determination of the antifungal activities of nine kinds of powdered plant extracts and five essential oils was studied in vitro against four of the most common fungal species (Aspergillus flavus, A. versicolor, Penicillium sp. and P. purpurogenum), which were isolated from different organic materials from archaeological artefacts such as papyrus and linen. The essential oils showed greater efficacy than the powdered plant extracts, where thyme and lemongrass oils were the most potent. Also, the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum fungicidal concentration of these oils were determined. Furthermore, their chemical components were identified using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) analysis. In vivo, studies were performed using biodeteriorated samples for applying treatment, in which the microbiological test revealed that both oils can eradicate both tested fungi completely after exposure time, ranging from two weeks for papyrus samples to 14 weeks for linen. A scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and colorimeter were used to assess the treatment process, leading to the final results, which suggest that the essential oils could be useful sources of fungicidal preparations for the disinfection of biodeteriorated linen and papyrus artefacts. Nevertheless, further studies are strongly recommended to introduce these sources into practical use in preventive conservation.

Fungi play a critical role in the deterioration of ancient papyri due to their organic and hygroscopic nature. Fourteen fungal species belonging to five genera-Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Penicillium, Talaromyces, and Ulocladium-were isolated and identified from 20 Egyptian papyrus artifacts located at the Grand Egyptian Museum-Conservation Center (GEM-CC). The biodeterioration mechanism was evaluated by two analyses: cellulase enzyme activity and acid production assay. The isolated fungus P. lanosum showed potent biodeterioration power as it exhibited the highest enzymatic activity and could produce acid as well. Four different analyses were performed to assess the entity of the biodeterioration phenomenon: scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, colorimetry, and pH measurements. The analyses demonstrated considerable changes in surface morphology, chemical structure (mainly represented by oxidation and hydrolysis of infected papyrus samples), darkness of the papyrus samples (ΔE 3.84-7.33), and pH (which dropped to 5.2 in the case of A. niger-infected sample. This article builds a preliminary perception for monitoring the biodeterioration of archaeological papyri and a trial for in vitro treatment to prevent further degradation, which may lead to loss of our valuable artifacts over a prolonged period.

No abstract

No abstract

This study was done on a piece of archaeological leather document preserved in Egyptian museum storeroom under No.JE90809 SR 5/13677, excavated 1966. The leather document showed different aspects of deterioration types. Different analytical methods were used for identifying the components of the leather document to explain its mechanism of deterioration process. Analytical methods were used: visual assessment, documentation process by high resolution camera and scanner in multispectral imaging (MSI), diagnostic examinations using Multi Spectral Imaging (VIS-UV-IR), isolation and identification of different types of fungi, investigation of the surface morphology and animal type using digital light microscope (Dino light), stereo microscope (S.M.) and polarizing microscope (P.M.), identification of ink binder, amino acids degradation and tanning materials by Fourier transformation infrared spectrophotometry (FTIR) it is a qualitative analysis to give general information concerning collagen, identification of inks by X-ray diffraction (XRD), measuring the thickness by micro meter. In addition to suggest a new method for Museum show for the archaeological leather document as the preparation of a new method of exhibition is considered one of the most important goal of this study, because the current method of exhibition is considered one of the most important reason for the deterioration of the studied document. The results revealed that the microscopic examinations of samples clarify that the type of skin used was sheep in comparison with the standard samples. Also it explained the deformation of the appearance, contaminations from stains and Analytical Study of the Archaeological Leather Document Preserved in Egyptian Museum and New Proposal for Museum Exhibition Restoration 2 dusts, and damages caused by physical factors. X-ray diffraction results showed that the ink used was made of carbon black ink. In addition the results showed that thickness measurement numbers were different which give indicate to somehow the manufacturing process was not so perfect. Also the results of FTIR proved the degradation of the collagen in the archaeological leather document, the binding agent was Arabic gum and the leather was tanned with vegetable tanning. Isolation and identification of microorganisms clarified the most dominant fungi isolated from the archaeological leather document were: Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus sulphureus, Aspergillus versicolor, Aspergillus sydowii, Penicillium chrysogenum, Penicillium islandicum, Alternaria alternate, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus terreus. Finally, the storage of the leather document was very poor which led to different aspects of deterioration. That prompted the author to suggest a new method for exhibition for the archaeological leather document.