AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF MATERIAIS CONSTITUENTS OF A HISTORICAL MAP ON A WOODEN FRAME OF UPPER EGYPT DATED TO 1882 AND THEIR MUTUAL DAMAGE

Abstract

[EN] This study analyzes one of the heritage maps of Upper Egypt, which dates back to 1882, and is now part of the Qasr al-Qobba Library. It discusses the theme and manufacturing techniques of the map and the effect of wood, textile, and paper on the map’s anatomic structure. Several tests and analyses were carried out to study how the map was manufactured and to chart where the map was damaged. The techniques included visual examination, infrared examination (IR), ultraviolet (UV), microbiological examination, digital, optical microscope, Raman, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) unit, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The analytical study of the map with different methods allowed for determining how it was damaged. The results of the microscopic examination of microbiological isolates showed that the most common fungi were Trichoderma, Aspergillus, and Penicillium). Microscopic examination showed that the type of printing was chromolithography. The damage rates in the functional groups of cellulose were also examined to identify the media as gum Arabic; the adhesive between the layers of the map was animal glue. The results revealed that pigments were identified as lazurite and carbon, and the wood of the map frame was identified as beech. Textile and paper were identified as cotton. All these steps were preceded by measuring the pH of the paper. The analytical study is important in determining map-making techniques in 1882. This study examines how the presence of multiple layers and materials- such as fabric, wood and paer- affect the detioration of this map.