Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (18.2006(2008))

SAQQARA

EGYPT

tened with ethyl alcohol for better pene-
tration of the reinforcing and gluing
substance (Paraloid). The other aim of the
moistening was to fix detaching flakes of
the polychromy to the wooden objects.
The objects were subsequently lifted from
the niche (the mummy in four parts) and
transferred to the shelter over the cult
chapel of Merefnebef, where under field
conditions the process of reinforcing and
consolidating was continued. Subsequent
technological layers were treated with
Klucel GF in ethyl alcohol (cartonnage)
and Paraloid B72 in acetone (c. 8%), the
latter applied on all the objects. Parts of
the polychromy falling from the wooden
objects and the reinforced flakes of
polychromy on the cartonnage were
mounted with PRIMAL AC33 (water
solution, c. 10%). Also the polychromy on
the lid and the figure of the falcon was
mounted and stabilized. The falling
fragments of the most damaged chest wall
were mounted using glue based on
Movilith 50 in acetone.
Since the width of this very distorted
chest wall had shrank in effect of the
damages, it was taken out and treated
separately. It was trickled with PARALOID
(as above) on both sides. Some balsa strips,
up to 1 mm thick and 15-20 mm wide,
were prepared for reinforcement of the wall
structure and re-attachment to the chest.
Given that the strips could be moved
flexibly according to needs, they were
attached to the reverse of the chest with
Movilith 50 (as above), retaining all the

existing bends. They were fixed vertically,
the horizontal ones being attached only to
the upper and lower edge of the wall.
Prepared this way, the wall was placed in
its original position, as an integral part of
the chest [Fig. 1}.
In view of the deformation of this wall,
and particularly its reduced width, it has
been blocked with small pegs made of
balsa wood (c. 15 mm long, varying in
width according to the context), located at
its upper and lower borders (fixed with
Movilith 50, as above). The detached part
of the cornice surmounting this wall was
also fixed in place. The color of the balsa
strips and blocking pegs, sections of which
can be seen through losses in the wooden
substance, has been modified in order to
reach a coloristic unity with the whole.
The figure of Osiris-Ptah-Sokar,
composed of two longitudinal parts, was
opened, revealing a fragment of rolled up
linen inside (cf. above, Fig. 4 on 159). The
polychromy on the rear side of the
statuette is preserved better than on the
front. It has been mounted in order to
prevent further deterioration. A water
solution of Primal AC33 (c. 10%) was
used in the process. The two crowns were
treated similarly.
Subsequent fragments of the cartonnage,
after preliminary treatment, were transfer-
red to a secure place. Supplementary work,
aiming at amelioration of the condition of
some cartonnages discovered in previous
campaigns (1997 and 2004), was also
carried out.

final conservation of the harpoon

The conservation of a wooden harpoon and
its cylindrical case, from Corridor 1 (Mys-
liwiec 2001: 395-410) was now comple-
ted. Losses of wood in both objects were re-

filled, and the weakest part of the case, the
front side with the thinnest walls, was
reinforced. Missing parts of wood, as well
as insect-related damage and cracks and

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