Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (17.2005(2007))

SAQQARA

EGYPT

process is particularly well visible on the
surface extending between the east wall and
the crevices crossing the ceiling diagonally
from NE to SW. On the east wall, at the
edge of the reliefs (e.g. those showing the
tomb owner), some cracks have been
observed on the rock, necessitating im-
mediate conservation intervention.
The present check, which revealed no
fallen fragments of the decoration of the
eastern wall on the chapel floor, confirmed
the efficacy of conservation work done in
Chapel 15 in 2003-2004.
In the chapel of Merefnebef, increased
humidity had led to numerous detachments
of the polychromy. These have taken on the
form of elastic creases. This type of de-
terioration is particularly frequent on the
surface of the background on the north and
east walls, as well as on the upper part of the
facade, under the architrave with inscription
and on the north jamb. Also visible are de-
tachments in the form of isolated bubbles,
rigid cracked convexities (e.g. in the scene
of fowling) or stiff flakes necessitating
fixing to the ground (e.g. the wigs of figures
on the northern inside jamb of the
doorway). Powdering and peeling parts of
the polychromy were noticed in the
decorated frieze running around the chapel
below the ceiling. Most of these damages
are caused by the migration and crystal-
lization of salts dissoluble in water. Salt
concentrations in the form of numerous tiny
powdering bubbles were observed on red-
colored surfaces (representations of the
vizier). This type of salt concentrations
cannot be removed without intervention
into the paint layer. They require special
treatment: blocking and attachment to the
paint layer.
Hard salt efflorescences are also observed
in the same chapel. Concentrations are
located c. 1-1.20 m above the floor. This
concerns, e.g., the register on both false

doors, where salinity had destroyed the
painting even before the chapel was
discovered. Salt concentrations appear in
such places every year.
Most of the salt concentrations were
removed mechanically with the help of
brushes and scalpels. Many of them were
fully eliminated. Others, specifically the
particularly hard concentrations, were first
softened by applying water and alcohol-
dripped wood-wool poultices, and then
removed with scalpels. The end effect was
mainly aesthetic.
Detached parts of decorated surfaces in
both chapels were mounted to their bedding
with a water solution (8%) of Primal E330.
In order to intensify penetration by the vis-
cous substance and (wherever necessary) to
elasticize stiff cracked detachments (convex-
ities), a mixture of water with ethyl alcohol
(99.6%) in 1:1 ratio was used. Both alcohol
and the Primal solution were applied with
syringes. After the glue was absorbed, the
detached surfaces were tightened to the
bedding with cotton wool swabs.
In places necessitating the filling of
empty spaces under the polychromy
covering thin flexile rock plate (e.g. chapel
of Merefnebef, east wall, southern part, and
the southern part of the facade), the
substance used was a suspension made on
the base of a water solution (8%) of PRIMAL
AC33 and mineral fillers (FUNCOSIL
Fullstoff A and B - mineral flour and
quartz powder made by Remmers) with
pigments (natural sienna and black) for
a coloristic homogeneity at the edge of the
filling.
Rifts of the rock at the edge of reliefs in
Chapel 15 were mounted with the aid of
a water solution (8%) of Primal AC33-
In places where the rock had become
fluffy and crumbling, injections of PRIMAL
B-72 solution in acetone (6-7%) were
applied, e.g. in the chapel of Merefnebef, on

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