CONSERVATION OF THE MURAL PANTINGS AT THE THEBAN TOMB TT 340 AT DEIR EL- MEDINA NECROPOLIS, WESTERN THEBES, LUXOR, EGYPT

Abstract

: This research aims to study the characteristics and technique of mural painting at the tomb of Amenemhat (No. 340), assessment of its current conservation state, moreover select and apply the most suitable materials and methods to conservation. The chara- cterization of the mural paintings in the studied tomb was carried out using different techniques including visual examination , portable USB-Digital microscope; polarizing light microscope; scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive x-ray analysis system (SEM-EDS); x-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In order to select the optimal materials for consolidation and completion processes, an experimental study was carried out using various methods includ ing visual examination, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and colorimetric measurements. The results indicated that the ancient Egyptian artist used the traditional technique (tempera) which is used inside the rock tombs for preparing the wall paintings at the tomb of Amenemhat (No. 340). The mural paintings in the tomb are suffering from the influence of many indigenous and exogenous deterioration factors. The results of experimental tests demonstrated that the product of Klucel G 1% has high efficiency in the consolidation of the weak painting layer. Also; the product of Bio Estel has high efficiency in the consolidation of fragile mud plaster layers. Moreover, the data clarified that the mortar (1) which consists of 0.5 rough yellow sand, 0.5 fine yellow sand, 3 light mud, 1 heba bowder, 0.5 burned clay , 1 straw, 3 gm Tobsin N and distilled water it’s a suitable for filling gaps and cracks in the mural paintings. Finally, treatment procedures were successfully performed using pre-consolidation, mechanical cleaning, re- adhesion of partly det-ached and flaking layers, consolidation, filling gaps and missing parts and cracks injections.