Study of Deterioration factors and Aspects of the Linen Wraps of Tayuheret’s Mummy in the Egyptian Museum

Hassan, Hagar Magdy Mahmoud; Hassan, Naglaa Mahmoud Ali; Badr, Ibrahim Mohamed Mohamed; Al-Roubi, Nabil Said Hamid

doi:10.21608/mjaf.2022.151109.2810

Study of Deterioration factors and Aspects of the Linen Wraps of Tayuheret’s Mummy in the Egyptian Museum

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Demonstrator at Restoration and Conservation of Archaeology,Faculty of Archaeology and Tourism Guidance Misr University for Science and Technology

² Professor of Restoration and Conservation of Archaeology, Faculty of Archeology, Fayoum University.

³ Associate professor of Restoration and Conservation of Archaeology, Faculty of Archaeology and Tourism Guidance Misr University for Science and Technology

⁴ Associate professor of Restoration and Conservation of Archaeology, Faculty of Archaeology Damietta University.

10.21608/mjaf.2022.151109.2810

Abstract

Introduction:

The ancient Egyptians used linen to wrappings mummies because they sacred linen, believing that Ozer was wrapped in it after death. The importance of linen textile was not limited to daily activities but included the Other World because the ancient Egyptian believed in and developed mummification through the different ancient Egyptian (Pharaonic) ages. Linen was used as internal wrappings for mummies as if an outer coffin covered the mummy after mummification. Herodotus reported that Egyptian priests refused to allow the corpus not wrapped in linen to the temple[1].

However, mummification in ancient Egypt needs further specialized exploration. More studies shall be conducted to examine the used materials, chemical composition, as well as the physical and chemical characteristics and their role and destructive impact on the mummies and linen wrappings. Several deterioration manifestations have been noted on the mummies in the closed coffins in the burial rooms, such as the charring of Tutankhamun’s mummy, its burned-like linen wrappings, fading or changing color of some of them, and biological degradation.

Therefore, the present study aims to explore the deteriorating effects of some mummification materials on the deterioration of linen fibers used as wraps for the mummies and highlight the conservation and restoration methods of the wrappimgs. This topic is quite challenging because of several internal deterioration factors, including mummification materials and natural and human external factors. Thus, many relevant studies have been conducted. Furthermore, the applied part poses challenges pertinent to the occupational safety and health of the conservator when handling mummies.

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