ARCHAEOMETRIC CHARACTERIZATION AND CONSERVATION OF BRONZE PATINA ON ARCHAEOLOGICAL AXE HEAD IN MILITARY MUSEUM, CAIRO

Abstract

The archaeological community tried to study, protect and preserve artifacts because of its importance in representing the identity of civilizations. This research deals with a bronze axe head that was preserved in the military museum in Salah El-Din citadel in Cairo. In the first stage metallographic microscope was used to identify the surface shape and its fine details. Then, a scanning electron microscope with an energy dispersive unit was used to identify the elements and the type of alloy. The examinations and analysis showed that the axe was made of bronze alloy which is binary alloy essentially consists of copper and tin with other elements as impurities like iron and sulfur. Finally, corrosion products were identified using X-ray diffraction analysis as Paratacamite, Antlerite and Brochantite. After carrying out the necessary examination and analysis, mechanical and chemical treatments were carried out, sequentially. In the end, the axe was isolated using an acrylic coating (Paraloid B-72) to protect it against the ambient conditions.

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