Ancient Egyptian Granite Graffiti of Bigeh Island, Philae Archaeological Site (Aswan, Egypt): An Archaeometric and Decay Assessment for Their Conservation
Abstract
1. Introduction
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- Extensive site observation was conducted for documentation and visual assessment, and a multi-analytical approach was employed to analyze material composition and deterioration mechanisms.
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- X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) were used for mineralogical and chemical analysis and analysis of the potential alteration of by-products due to water exposure and reaction.
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- Petrographic description of the rock texture, grain boundaries, and mineral relationships was used to assess weathering patterns. Additionally, microscopic analyses were carried out using digital microscopy to study surface morphology and detect microfractures, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with EDS was used to analyze the surface morphology and the elemental compositions at high resolution to provide a comprehensive understanding of decay processes.
2. Materials and Methods
3. Results and Discussion
3.1. In Situ Analysis and Granite Decay
3.2. Microscopic and Petrographical Description
3.3. Mineralogical Composition
3.4. Safeguarding and Conservation Plan
4. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
Abbreviations
POM | Polarized optical microscope |
SEM | Scanning electron microscope |
EDS | Energy-dispersive spectroscopy |
XDR | X-ray diffraction |
XRF | X-ray fluorescence |
Qz | Quartz |
Ab | Albite |
Mcc | Microcline |
Bio | Biotite |
Hbl | Hornblende |
Chl | Chlorite |
Kfs | K-feldspar |
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Decay Type | Observations | Causes and Effects |
---|---|---|
Mechanical Weathering | ||
Diaclases and cracks | Found in rock formations (Figure 2A,B) | Caused by natural stress and thermal expansion/contraction due to extreme wet–dry variations; widening of fractures compromises structures. |
Granular disintegration and surface erosion | Inscriptions show loss of mineral grains (Figure 2C,F) | Wind, moisture, and water flow weaken mineral cohesion, dislodging grains over time; this is increased by salt crystallization. |
Flaking and exfoliation | Peeling rock layers (Figure 2E) | Hydration and dehydration cycles due to periodic submersion in Nile water. In addition, salt crystallization causes surface detachment. |
Mechanical erosion | Surface degradation from sediment transport (Figure 2F) | Strong water currents and suspended particles cause abrasion, accelerating decay. |
Chemical Weathering | ||
Salt crystallization | Internal stress and degradation | Dissolved salts in Nile water enter rock pores, crystallize, and expand, and this causes structural weakness. |
Chemical reactions with Nile water | Loss of granite internal fabric | Sulfates and carbonates in water that react with granite minerals can promote decay. |
Increased porosity | More porous structure due to repeated wetting and drying cycles | Water infiltration enlarges micropores and increases the susceptibility to further decay. |
Black crust formation | Surface discoloration | Accumulation of atmospheric pollutants leads to chemical weathering. |
Biological Weathering | ||
Vegetation growth (algae, moss, lichen) | High moisture retention (Figure 2B,D) | Organisms produce organic acids that chemically degrade minerals, increasing erosion. |
Bird waste accumulation | Surface damage (Figure 2C) | Organic acids from waste weaken the granite surface, contributing to further deterioration. |
Moisture retention by biological growth | Increased salt crystallization | Retained moisture accelerates chemical and mechanical weathering. |
Major Element (in %) | Trace Element (in ppm) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Unsubmerged | Submerged | Unsubmerged | Submerged | ||
Al | 6.507 ± 0.113 | 5.816 ± 0.103 | Ba | 280 ± 20 | 490 ± 20 |
Ca | 1.738 ± 0.033 | 1.778 ± 0.034 | Cr | 80 ± 20 | 160 ± 20 |
Fe | 3.491 ± 0.024 | 4.972 ± 0.027 | Mn | 190 ± 50 | 740 ± 50 |
K | 3.305 ± 0.029 | 3.216 ± 0.029 | Nb | 50 ± 10 | 60 ± 10 |
Mg | 0.288 ± 0.151 | 0.381 ± 0.147 | Rb | 80 ± 10 | 60 ± 10 |
P | 0.156 ± 0.019 | 0.549 ± 0.137 | Sr | 240 ± 10 | 190 ± 10 |
Ti | 0.474 ± 0.007 | 0.421 ± 0.008 | V | 110 ± 30 | 150 ± 40 |
Si | 39.605 ± 0.131 | 32.628 ± 0.129 | W | 80 ± 30 | 60 ± 30 |
Bal | 44.274 ± 0.162 | 49.975 ± 0.146 | Zn | 90 ± 10 | 120 ± 10 |
Zr | 350 ± 10 | 520 ± 10 |
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Fahmy, A.; Domínguez-Bella, S.; Molina-Piernas, E. Ancient Egyptian Granite Graffiti of Bigeh Island, Philae Archaeological Site (Aswan, Egypt): An Archaeometric and Decay Assessment for Their Conservation. Heritage 2025, 8, 137. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8040137
Fahmy A, Domínguez-Bella S, Molina-Piernas E. Ancient Egyptian Granite Graffiti of Bigeh Island, Philae Archaeological Site (Aswan, Egypt): An Archaeometric and Decay Assessment for Their Conservation. Heritage. 2025; 8(4):137. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8040137
Chicago/Turabian StyleFahmy, Abdelrhman, Salvador Domínguez-Bella, and Eduardo Molina-Piernas. 2025. "Ancient Egyptian Granite Graffiti of Bigeh Island, Philae Archaeological Site (Aswan, Egypt): An Archaeometric and Decay Assessment for Their Conservation" Heritage 8, no. 4: 137. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8040137
APA StyleFahmy, A., Domínguez-Bella, S., & Molina-Piernas, E. (2025). Ancient Egyptian Granite Graffiti of Bigeh Island, Philae Archaeological Site (Aswan, Egypt): An Archaeometric and Decay Assessment for Their Conservation. Heritage, 8(4), 137. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8040137