Manufacturing, Deterioration, and Conservation Techniques of Nefertum Bronze Statue From the Late Period Discovered in the Memphis Necropolis, Egypt

The bronze Nefertum statue is one of the statues discovered by the Egyptian archaeological mission at Minf Cemetery of the late period in 2020, during the performance of the excavation work dates back to the late 26th dynasty. The statue with its base is 41 cm high, 35 centimetres tall and 7 cm wide and 14 cm deep. The name of its owner Badi Amunis engraved on its base. Badi Amun is from the 26th dynasty. The statue suffered from deterioration phenomena, for example, Erosion parts, corrosion products, Micro-cracks, Dirt and calcifications . Various exam-inations and analyses were carried out. The layers on the Statue surface were studied usingstereo microscope examination, polarizing microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM) with energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX). Examinations show that the surface layers consist of clay minerals, sand and corrosion products in various colours. The mineral composition of the samples was determined by x–ray diffraction analysis. The analysis revealed the presence of cuprite, atacamite as corrosion products, in addition to quartz. Calcifications have been removed using appropriate tools such brushes and blunt scalpels. Treatment processes of the bronze Statue include mechanical and chemical cleaning in addition to apply benzotriazole inhibitor by 3%. A protective layer of Paraloid B 82 by 3% was applied. Finally, the bronze Statue was displayed in Museum of the New Administrative Capital in Egypt

Aesthetics · Ancient history · Archaeology · Art · Bronze · Memphis · Statue · Ancient Egypt and Archaeology · History · Geology