A Preliminary Diagnostic Study of the Chromatic Alterations of the Wall Paintings of the Festival Hall of Thutmosis III, Karnak Temples Complex, Upper Egypt

Abstract

The festival hall of Thutmosis III (c.1504-1450 BC) is one of the minor temples found in the complex of Karnak temples at Luxor (about 670 km south of Cairo). The chromatic alterations of the wall paintings at the festival hall were evaluated through the analysis of weathered pigment samples and several damaged layers covering the painted surfaces. The analytical techniques utilised in this study were optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray detector (EDS), X-ray powder diffraction analysis (XRPD), micro-Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies (µ-Raman and FT-IR). The obtained results showed that the chromatic alterations of the studied wall paintings are resulting mainly from the impact of the environmental conditions of the region, the penetration of the groundwater beneath the walls of the temple and the degradation of the materials used in old restorations of the temple. This research confirms the importance of a plan for environmental improvements to be drawn up.

In situ Raman spectroscopy analysis combined with Raman and SEM‐EDS imaging to assess the conservation state of 16th century wall paintings

“…temperature changes, infiltration waters, impact of atmospheric pollutants or biological attacks) and/or to vandalism that can cause degradations or even irreparable damages. Concerning to natural stress factors, the study of the consequences related to the infiltration waters and the impact of atmospheric pollutants, mainly, soluble salts formation and blackening processes, have received most of the attention …”

GEOCHEMISTRY ARTICLES – December 2022

“…The blue-painted layer appeared white bright in the VIL image (Figs. 5b and 6b), indicating the use of Egyptian blue [37,38] but did not appear in visible light (Figs. 5a and 6a).…”

Environmental deterioration and conservation of Ramses III's Sandstone Temple, Karnak, Luxor

“…The vast changes in temperature caused the decay of sandstone. Disintegration and weakness of sandstone cause collapse or partly collapse in the internal grains of the stone (Ismail, 2001, Mahmoud, et al 2010& Nabil, 2014. Furthermore, the salt deterioration caused many problems in the temple of Ramses III.…”