Analytical Investigations of Disintegrated Granite Surface from the Un-finished Obelisk in Aswan

Abstract

The deterioration of natural stone monuments is subject to different external reasons that take place through different weathering factors, in addition to other several factors concerning the stone itself “internal reasons” mainly pore structure and permeability index. All of these factors lead to the formation of altered surface layers, then damaging the original stone components. Here, red weathering, one of the most aggressive deterioration forms affecting one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world (Un-finished Obelisk in Aswan) was investigated and evaluated through different analytical techniques. Binuclear Microscop and SEM were used to evaluate the optical and morphological features of the highly deteriorated samples. Moreover EDX and XRD techniques were used for defining the chemical and mineralogical compositions of collected samples. Lastly, ArcGIS program was used as a tool for simulation description of red weathering symptom to evaluate their aggressive roles in the deterioration processes affecting the object. Our results proved that there are some changes in the granite regarding essential elements with high percentages of SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3 especially in affected zones. In addition, increasing the weathering products, such as, microcrystalline matrix and salty products (tosudite, kaolinite, illite and gypsum) defined and calculated both in affected and none affected areas. Finally, calculation of the etching volume of sample and corroded percentages were conducted.

Analytical Study of Archaeological Pottery Sarcophagus,greco Roman Period, From Saqqara, Egypt

“…The presence of Gypsum Ca SO 4 . 2H 2 O in the black part as a secondary mineral could be explained due to some variables; the 1 st is the reaction process after the burning, the 2 nd is the effects during burial time and the 3 rd is the effect of moisten soil and crystallization cycle [10]. Halite is salt mostly presence in the Egyptian soil.…”

The Early Basilica Church, El-Ashmonein Archaeological Site, Minia, Egypt: Geo-Environmental Analysis and Engineering Characterization of the Building Materials

“…There are also many studies have been carried out such as (M. A. El-Gohary, 2011) [22] Table 2. Also, two representative samples prepared from Aswan quarry in missing obelisk area and analyzed by XRD as summarized in Table 3 and Table 4.…”

“…For granite, there are many studies carried out using XRF for granite from unfinished obelisk (M. A. El-Gohary, 2011) [22]. He made chemical analysis for six samples from Aswan granite to know the majority elements of granite and cause of degradation.…”

Damage Blocks Granite of Philip Arrhidaeus Compartment and Its Source and Treatment, Karnak, Egypt

“…Some scientists report that water in any state physics is the greatest cause of damage processes [13][14][15]. The granitic rocks are more responsive to the action of biological activity, air pollution [16], and water where potassium feldspars are converted to kaolinite, with the production of potassium ions, silica and iron where the latter produces rust [17,18]. The main weathering forms in Philip Arrhidaeus compartment are exfoliation, granular disintegration, scales, plates, and efflorescence [19,21]…”