DATING , RESTORATION , AND CONSERVATION OF AN
ARCHAEOLOGICAL WOODEN DOOR NO. 760 , COPTIC
MUSEUM , CAIRO , EGYPT .
Fatma M .Helmi
Conservation Department , Faculty of
Archaeology , Cairo Universty .
Gamal A.Mahgoub Conservation Department , Faculty of
Archeaology , Fayum Universty .
Naglaa M. Ali
Conservtaion Department , Faculty of
Archeaology , Fayum Universty .
ABSTRACT
An undated archaeological wooden door No.760 was found
at the stores of the coptic museum in Cairo . It has a lot of
deterioration aspects such as calcareous & oil spots , soot , corrosion
products of its metallic parts . This is in addition to loss in some
units , existence of cracks , insect pores , and fungi growth.
Carbon-14 radioactive dating method was used for detemining the
door age. Scanning electron micorscope attached with EDX unit was
utilized for examination .X-ray diffraction and infrared analyses
were applied for investigation . An Experimental study was carried
out on seven polymers for determination the best one to be used in
the consolidation process of the door through submission to artificial
aging .The data shows that the door is reffered to 11th century 1170
A.D ± 60 years . Treatment , restoration , and conservation of the
door was carried out including the followings : mechanical and
chemical cleaning , treatment of fungi infection , consolidation with
regalerze 1126 polymer , completion of lost parts and units , filling
gaps , isolation with Beva 371 , and proposal of a new method for
exhibition .