New data on relevant ancient Egyptian wooden artifacts: Identification of wooden species and study of the state of conservation with multidisciplinary analyses

Abstract

Wood species identification and characterization of its weathering processes are crucial steps in the scientific approach of conservation of wooden cultural heritage. Many precious wooden objects of ancient Egypt are largely present in museums, nevertheless relatively little information is available concerning the nature of timber used and on their status of conservation. To address this gap, the wooden species of three relevant archaeological wood objects (statue, box, and coffin) arising from different Egyptian archaeological sites dated from the Old Kingdom (2,686–2,181 BC) to New Kingdom (1,550–1,069 BC) were deeply studied. Five hardwood and softwood species were identified belonging to Tamarix mannifera, T. gennessarensis, Ficus sycomorus, Vachellia nilotica, and Cedrus sp. Such data confirmed the recurrence of Vachellia and Tamarix among the most common timbers found in ancient Egypt. Scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform spectroscopy, and synchrotron x‐ray radiation diffraction were conducted to evaluate the archaeological wood deterioration. The formation of microcracks, biological degradation patterns (fungal colonization), or chemical characterization (accumulation of salts on and in‐between wooden cells) were detected. SEM micrographs showed the presence of fungal hyphae and conidial spores on the wooden cells. Significant changes in the chemical wood composition and decrease in the crystallinity index were detected.

Eco-Friendly Preservation of Pharaonic Wooden Artifacts using Natural Green Products

“…using SEM. Major alterations in the chemical configuration of the wood due to microbial corrosion and a reduction in the crystallinity index of cellulose were also found by Geweely et al [31].…”

“…The experimental aged wooden cubes treated with the most efficient thyme essential oil were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM & EDX), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The observed drop in the crystallinity index in the untreated wood may be due to fungal deterioration, as recorded by Geweely et al [31] who stated that the XRD analysis of the archaeological materials revealed a drop in their crystalline index, which was caused by microbial degradation. Moreover, Sparacello et al [91] evaluated the potential changes to the wooden artwork surfaces pre-and post-treatment with Thymus vulgaris and a hydro-alcoholic solution using SEM, EDX, and FTIR.…”

“…The most deteriorated archaeological wooden samples (the wooden statue of a seated man, the anthropoid wooden coffin with a cartonnage mummy of Nespahettawi son of Neskhonsupahred, and the wooden box of Padimen's son, object Nos. 1, 2, and 3, respectively, Table 1) were previously identified as Acacia nilotica, Ficus sycomorus, and Tamarix gennessarensis, as reported by Geweely et al [31]. Three commercial experimental wood samples of the same identified species were used as experimental wooden blocks.…”

New frontiers review of some recent conservation techniques of organic and inorganic archaeological artefacts against microbial deterioration

“…A unique comparison of chemical, natural essential oil, and physical (ozone) for preservation of archaeological items against microbial deterioration was documented by Geweely et al (2022) . Chemical preservation of historical artifacts poses a risk to both the environment and human health, as well as degradation (erosion and surface damage).…”

Analysis of Aspergillus niger isolated from ancient palm leaf manuscripts and its deterioration mechanisms

“…Microbial degradation was then conducted on the PLM carriers using the isolated microorganisms. The hierarchical structures of the PLM carriers after microbial degradation were characterized using various technical methods [16,17], such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (ATR-FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Additionally, nanoindentation (NI) technology was applied to the PLM carriers for the first time to explore the response mechanism of leaf fiber micromechanics under the microbial degradation.…”