DOI Heft:
Egypt
DOI Artikel:Pawlicki, Franciszek: Hatshepsut temple: conservation and preservation project 1995/1996
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.41241#0065
a solution of ethyl silicone in benzine. Salts affecting the northern
and eastern walls were mechanically removed. For structural
reasons, the lintel above the niche was executed in new limestone.
During the season a complete restoration programme of the
sun-altar was implemented. The altar's west side had been strongly
affected by salts crystallising on the surface; the steps and
pavement were destroyed. Restoration involved conservation of
limestone blocks and replacement of some of them. To restore the
southern side of the sun-altar the upper course of blocks was
dismantled and the accumulated soil and disintegrated Esna-shale
debris removed. During the cleaning work two stages of altar
construction were confirmed. The corner of the older and smaller
altar as well as the older steps were unearthed. The steps of the
final stage were rebuilt again. All blocks requiring restoration were
treated by conservators. Epoxy resin was used to re-attach and
reinforce some elements. Finally, all original blocks were protected
by a solution of ethyl silicate and nine new limestone blocks were
added to the course of the cornice and parapet to consolidate the
altar's structure.
In accordance with a long-term work schedule for the
temple's Third Terrace, the restoration of the Bark Room was
included in this season's programme. Some conservation was
initiated in the previous season, when one of the scenes on the
northern wall showing Tuthmosis I and Jahmes was cleaned of
soot. Current works anticipated restoration and conservation of the
western wall of the Bark Room, including the entrance to the mam
sanctuary, the westernmost scene of the southern wall, as well as
restoration and conservation of the upper register of the northern
wall.
The restoration of the western wall involved dismantling the
retaining wall once built by the British team and replacing it with
original stones. Recently attributed blocks include one with the
representation of Queen Flatshepsut kneeling in front of the seated
god Amun, a winged solar disk and the Queen's epithet. On the
63
and eastern walls were mechanically removed. For structural
reasons, the lintel above the niche was executed in new limestone.
During the season a complete restoration programme of the
sun-altar was implemented. The altar's west side had been strongly
affected by salts crystallising on the surface; the steps and
pavement were destroyed. Restoration involved conservation of
limestone blocks and replacement of some of them. To restore the
southern side of the sun-altar the upper course of blocks was
dismantled and the accumulated soil and disintegrated Esna-shale
debris removed. During the cleaning work two stages of altar
construction were confirmed. The corner of the older and smaller
altar as well as the older steps were unearthed. The steps of the
final stage were rebuilt again. All blocks requiring restoration were
treated by conservators. Epoxy resin was used to re-attach and
reinforce some elements. Finally, all original blocks were protected
by a solution of ethyl silicate and nine new limestone blocks were
added to the course of the cornice and parapet to consolidate the
altar's structure.
In accordance with a long-term work schedule for the
temple's Third Terrace, the restoration of the Bark Room was
included in this season's programme. Some conservation was
initiated in the previous season, when one of the scenes on the
northern wall showing Tuthmosis I and Jahmes was cleaned of
soot. Current works anticipated restoration and conservation of the
western wall of the Bark Room, including the entrance to the mam
sanctuary, the westernmost scene of the southern wall, as well as
restoration and conservation of the upper register of the northern
wall.
The restoration of the western wall involved dismantling the
retaining wall once built by the British team and replacing it with
original stones. Recently attributed blocks include one with the
representation of Queen Flatshepsut kneeling in front of the seated
god Amun, a winged solar disk and the Queen's epithet. On the
63