Damage caused by black inks to the chemical properties of archaeological papyrus – analytical study

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to determine the nature of archaeological papyrus damage and monitoring the mechanics of damage caused by black inks to the chemical properties of ancient papyrus. Design/methodology/approach This study the papyrus surface with a digital microscopy “USB,” examination and analyzing by “Scanning Electron Microscope,” characterization of black ink used in writing the ancient papyrus using “Scanning Electron Microscopy” with (EDX). Detection of changes in the chemical bonds of ancient papyrus samples by “Fourier transform infrared” FTIR. Findings The result confirmed that SEM examination showed the organization of the parenchyma cells that make up papyrus tissue. Characteristic waveform appears, it indicates the ancient Egyptian manufacturer’s use of the (Strips Method) in the process of manufacturing the archaeological papyrus. Also, the appearance of (Over Lapping) stacking of papyrus slides. EDX analysis showed that the black ink used to write the papyrus was (Carbon Ink). High oxygen content in the papyrus sample analysis indicates deterioration of the cellulose fibers. FTIR spectrum showed that Arabic gum is the bonding material for carbon ink particles, it also showed that archaeological papyrus suffers from hydrolysis due to exposure of papyrus fibers to high moisture content or direct water, resulting in smudge, bleeding and fading of carbon ink on the archaeological papyrus support. Originality/value The study is archaeological papyrus with black ink scripts from the excavation of the Qasr I brim.

Mold‐deteriorated archaeological Egyptian papyri: Biodeteriogens, monitoring the deterioration, and treatment approach

“…An increase in the O–H hydroxyl group represented by the band at 3420 cm −1 was observed, indicating hydrolysis of cellulose fibers due to infection of the papyrus samples and secretion of cellulase enzyme and acid by fungi, as confirmed in the first section. A similar result was observed by Mazen et al (2021), who monitored the hydrolysis of archaeological papyrus after exposure to high water content by a slight increase in the band at 3424 cm −1 . Carbonyl groups (–CO, –COOH, and –CHO) occur on the broken ends of macromolecular chains in the spectra of cellulosic materials, as papyrus is considered a good candidate for monitoring the changes caused by oxidation and therefore cellulose degradation (Abdel‐Maksoud & El‐Amin, 2013; Łojewska et al, 2006).…”

Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride as a new cleaner for washing treatments for historical printed paper

“…We can observe a dramatic increase in C–H bending vibration at 796 cm −1 ; furthermore, the C–H stretching, C–H bending, C-O-C pyranose ring vibration and glycosidic linkage between glucose units in cellulose, respectively, appeared stronger after cleaning with 1% of alkyl dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride; besides that, organic carbon, quartz and kaolinite vibrations totally disappeared. This confirms with tangible evidence the support of the cellulose construction by this new cleaner in addition to its ability to remove dust and dirt (Mary et al , 1989). On other hand, this carbonyl band was shifted to be smaller which confirmed that the initial pH increases.…”

“…We can detect topical variations of paper sample (Figure 5) but with observable decrees in their intensities such as C=O stretching vibration at 1,029 cm-1 and C-H bending vibration at 768 cm -1 ; furthermore, we can observe notable shift in C-H bending vibration where it was shifted at 768 cm À1 added to the totally disappeared C-H stretching because of aromatic and symmetric stretching (Hassan, 2015(Hassan, , 2021Michele, 1999), which can be attributed to the effect of oxidation mechanism for the historical paper especially; there is a notable increase of spectra in the various carbonyl groups (products of paper aging) at 1,559 and 1,637 cm À1 . Besides these results the illite, kaolinite, montmorillonite, imogolite vibrations at 660, 1,029 and 3,389 cm À1 (Clay minerals) were observed in samples which confirmed a present of dust particles on the historical paper structure furthermore the FTIR detected vibrations of organic carbon and quartz at 2,876 and 768 cm À1 , respectively.…”

“…From Figures 6 to 8, we can detect the advanced decomposition of paper where the bundles separated in many areas into microfibrils scattered among the fibers which indicates that the printed paper has been exposed to a destructive chemical effect and perhaps the cause can be attributed to air pollution gases in addition to the free heavy metal ions contained in soot, which stimulate the processes of gases conversion such as sulfur dioxide gas to sulfuric acid Salim et al, 2020;Mazen et al, 2021).…”

Evaluation of the Efficiency of traditional chitosan, nano chitosan and chitosan nanocomposites for consolidating aged papyrus paper

“…Organic objects are rapidly affected by a combination of deterioration agents, resulting of environmental factors or chemical factors. Generally, papyrus the most important writing material was manufactured from Cyperus papyrus L strips which would be laid down in two layers, one vertical and one horizontal in a grid pattern, pressed and dried to obtain papyrus sheets (Bataa et al , 2021).…”