SAVING THE MUMMY’S SHELL: AN INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH FOR ANALYSIS AND RESTORATION OF CARTONNAGE MUMMY CASE FROM EL-LAHUN EXCAVATIONS, MIDDLE EGYPT

Abstract

In this inquiry, a polychrome cartonnage mummy case, discovered at the archaeological site of El-Lahun at Middle Egypt, was investigated. Fragmented cartonnage samples were non-destructively examined by digital microscope and high resolution field-emission scanning electron microscope, which was outfitted with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (FE-SEM/EDX). For further understanding, spectroscopic study on some samples was fulfilled by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The results implied linen fibres as the base support, while thin calcareous layer mixed with gum Arabic worked as preparatory layer ‘gesso’. The pigments on the cartonnage palette contained Egyptian blue (synthetic blue cuprorivaite), orpiment (brilliant arsenic sulfide mineral), yellow ochre (iron oxyhydroxide, silica, and clay mineral), and red ochre (iron (III) oxide, silica, and clay mineral). What’s more, the green pigment was created through mixing together amounts of Egyptian blue and yellow ochre. While the yellow paints contained a blended layer of yellow ochre and orpiment. The results certified that gum Arabic was the adhesive used in both the ‘gesso‘ and pictorial layers. Extreme physical damage, salt efflorescence, and biological attacks were documented on the cartonnage. Fungal species of Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium cladosporioides, and Penicillium spp. were verified. To minimize the damage and maintain the condidtion of the cartonnage, a unified restoration project was requested. The procedures covered disinfection using eco-friendly plant extracts-essential oil, cleaning, consolidation of the fragile surface, stabilizing the paint layers, reinforcing detached areas, and filling missing parts. Particularly, the results provided appreciable data on the painting materials and the proposed date of the cartonnage.