MULTI ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES OF ANTHROPOID WOODEN COFFIN FROM EGYPT LATE PERIOD

The present study aims to identify the pigments, ground layer, and previous restoration materials used in a polychrome wooden coffin using multi-analytical techniques. It utilized optical microscopy, technical imaging, scanning electron microscope attached to X-ray dispersion unit, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results showed the use of yellow as goethite a-FeOOH, blue as Egyptian blue [Cuprorivaite (CaCuSi4O10)], red as haematite (a-Fe2O3), and white as calcite (CaCO3). The black pigment as carbon (C) and the binding medium in both the calcite-based plaster layers and the polychrome layers was identified as animal glue. The previous consolidation material was primal AC33.