Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (11.1999(2000))

WEST SAQQARA

EGYPT

polychromy) with a solution of Paraloid
B 72 in toluene. This kind of protection,
even if it only reinforces the surface layer,
allows further detachment of stone frag-
ments and losses of the rock matrix to be
avoided.
The choice of conservation materials
and procedures was dependent on a petro-
graphic examination of rock samples from
the area of the funerary chapel, made at
Warsaw University's Faculty of Geology.
Data on the mineral composition of the
samples revealed the rock as belonging to
the pelitic marly limestone group. The
participation of loamy minerals — mostly

calcium smectites - has been determined
to vary (19-7-22.1%) in each sample.
The materials used in our conservation
work are Remmers products: 1) Funcosil
Antihygro, intended for conservation of nat-
ural stones with loamy binder, limiting
hydration heaving, and 2) Funcosil
Steinfestiger 300, a preparation used for
reinforcing natural stones with weakened
interior structure. A low-pressure spray
device and brushes were used. The practical
effectiveness of this treatment will be visible
only after the process of precipitating the
siliceous gel is completed in effect of apply-
ing Funcosil Steinfestiger 300.

CONSERVATION OF OBJECTS

The limestone false-door of Peh-en-Ptah
(Pehi) (preserved lower part) was found in
situ in the northern part of Area I. Its sur-
face, bearing traces of red paint, is disin-
tegrating and tends to laminate because
of the salts crystallizing on its surface. It
has been treated with a solution of
Paraloid B 72 in xylene (10%). Bigger
detached fragments have been re-
attached with a lute of chalk and fine-
grained sand, based on Paraloid (as
above). The interior of the stone is prac-
tically wholly disintegrated and has been
reinforced.
All the inscribed limestone blocks - the
false door of Kheti, priestess of Hathor,
found in Shaft 14, as well as a lintel (in two
fragments) and a door jamb of Ni-Pepi,
found in the rubble below the floor of
Chapel 5 — were treated in the same way.
Their surface was first cleaned, removing
remains of gypsum whitewash, which part-
ly covered the hieroglyphic inscriptions.
Tiny traces of the polychromy (red pig-
ment on the figures and green inside the
hieroglyphs) were thus uncovered and pro-
tected.

Two of the wooden figurines found in
Shaft 27 preserve some of the original
polychromy, painted on a thin layer of
powdering whitewash. Both the paintings
and background have been reinforced with
a solution of Paraloid B 72 in acetone and
mounted on a wooden matrix. The wood
that had lost its original cohesion has been
treated with a solution of Paraloid B 72 in
acetone (7%), modified with a 20% solu-
tion of ethylene polyglycol 1000 in alco-
hol, in 10:1 proportion. The same prepara-
tion was used to reinforce the structure of
a mask belonging to an anthropoid wood-
en coffin preserved in small fragments.
Some conservation work accompanied
the anthropological examinations of the
mummies. It consisted of removal of sub-
sequent layers — bandages and embalming
substances - as well as the mounting of
fragments for documentation purposes.
Decorated elements of cartonnage cases
have been detached and placed on supports
of the same shape as the original matrix.
Distorted parts of the cartonnages have
been reinforced with Paraloid B 72 in ace-
tone and mounted on Japanese tissue.

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