A Study of the Conservation and Restoration of Some Bronze Objects from Sais and Preparing them for Display at the Egyptian Museum, Cairo

Abstract

The present work includes five chapter summarized as follows :

Chapter I : Historical and technological background :

This chapter reviews the historical and technological ev-olution of copper-based metals with special emphasis on the copper-tin alloy, bronze. It also includes the different stages of metal_ production begiiming with the different types of ores, propsected and mined by the ancient mineralogist. and also the different processes of ancient extractive metallallurgy which includes ore beneficiation, smelting of carbonate and sulphide ores and the final refining methods for the recovery of pure metals. The_development of• structure and operation of early fumances were reviewed together with the most important fuels and ways of directing air blasts into the fumance to reach the temperatures needed to smelt the ores into metals. The knowledge of the most suitable flux added to different ores was also practiced. -. •, .. . .. •... The ancient manufacturing techniques include casting .and

cold-working. The different kinds of moulds for producing solid and hollow castings are chronologically mentioned. The material and _design of the ancient moulds with air vents, risers; sprue cups, false core and chaplets are also discussed. The various cold working techniques employed throughout the different periods are briefly studied with concentration on annealing, which was skillfully practiced since early periods. Metal joining, •poHshing and the different• tools of the ancient metalworkers• are recorded which .. accompanied by scenes from the wall paintings of various ancient Egyptian

-tombs.,