"Experimental study for the evaluation of new pastes for treatment of some deterioration aspects of archaeological bone with application on selected object"

Abstract

Significant quantities of archaeological bones have been discovered in Egypt and are preserved in Egyptian museums and storage facilities. Almost all of these bones suffer from many aspects of deterioration. Fracturing, cracking, surface marks, abrasion, missing fragments, pitting and breakage are considered the most serious aspects affecting archaeological bones. Various factors have caused deterioration such as weathering, salts, human impacts (excavation, transportation, and handling), termites, pressure and microbial attack. Researchers and specialist scientists in the field of conservation have found that the traditional techniques in completion (conservation) processes to rectify bone defects were ineffective to the point of being useless. The author has made an evaluation of the traditional pastes used to repair damaged archaeological bone and modified them to create a paste that has a better result. Nanotechnology, by using nanomaterial, showed improving polymer properties (due to its small particle size) compared with other modified materials significantly improved compatibility with other materials to create nanocomposites. Most of the results are positive, which enables the researchers to study polymer behavior at nano scale level. Scientists and researchers have found this method is much better than the other traditional completion methods as it provides protection and better aesthetic appearance to archaeological bone.