Egyptian Stone Research Articles

Reading Tool Marks on Egyptian Stone Sculpture

For millennia the ancient Egyptians filled their tombs and temples with stone sculpture. Egyptian stone workers were extremely prolific, quarrying vast quantities of stone from along the Nile Valley and the deserts beyond, and turning it into sculpture ranging from miniature to monumental. Particularly impressive is their exploitation of hard stones, such as granite, granodiorite, graywacke, anorthositic gneiss, or basalt. Although secondary sources including tomb paintings and excavated tools provide insight into hard stone working methods, there is significant disagreement among scholars about the forms and materials of the tools themselves, how they were used by ancient stoneworkers, and how these factors relate to the broad range of surface textures we observe. This paper seeks to demonstrate the utility in addressing these questions through the systematic characterization of tool marks using Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI), augmented by the examination of ancient tools, experimental archaeology, and consultation with contemporary stone carvers. This approach is demonstrated through a series of case studies which illustrate useful comparisons between tool marks on Egyptian stone sculpture in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Topics addressed include: differences in hard stone and soft stone carving; variations in finishing work on statuary elements; variations in the carving of hieroglyphs; and possible evidence of a changing tool kit. فك التشفير على النحت الحجري المصري ملخّص لآلاف السنين، ملأ المصريون القدماء مقابرهم ومعابدهم بالمنحوتات الحجرية. كان إنتاج النحّاتون المصريون كبيراً جداً، حيث كانوا ينحتون آلاف القطع الحجرية على طول وادي النيل والصحاري المجاورة، وتحويلها الى منحوتات مختلفة الأحجام من صغرة إلى ضخمة جداً. يثير للإعجاب بشكل خاص استخدامهم للأحجار الصلبة، مثل الجرانيت أو الجرانوديوريت أو حجر الجرواق أو حجر الآنورثوسايت (صخور فانيرتيك بركانية نارية) أو البازلت. بالرغم من أن المصادر الثانوية، بما في ذلك لوحات القبور وأدوات الحفر التي توفّر معلومات جيدة عن أساليب نحت الحجارة الصلبة، إلا أن هناك خلافاً كبيراً بين الباحثين حول أشكال ومواد الأدوات نفسها، وكيف استُخدِمت من قبل النحاتين القدامى. نحاول من خلال هذا المقال تقديم الجهاز الذي يساعد في معالجة هذه الأمور للرد على تلك الاستفسارات، من خلال الوصف المنهجي لخصائص القطع باستخدام تصوير التحوّل الانعكاسي (RTI)، تتمثل التقنية في التقاط صور متعددة عن طريق تغيير ميل الضوء واتجاهه للكشف عن خصائص السطوح المصوّرة، ومقارنتها مع عينات حجرية حديثة. تعتمد هذه المقالة على مجموعة دراسات توضح اختلاف علامات الأدوات الواضحة على سطح المنحوتات الحجرية المصرية ضمن مجموعة قطع محفوظة في متحف المتروبوليتان للفنون. الموضوعات التي تمت تداولها هي: الاختلافات بين الحجر الصلب والنحت على الحجر، الاختلافات في طرق إنهاء العمل عند نحت التماثيل، الاختلافات في حفر الرموز الهيروغليفية، والأدلّة المحتملة في حالة تغيير مجموعة أدوات النحت.

Enhancing durability and sustainable preservation of Egyptian stone monuments using metabolites produced by Streptomyces exfoliatus

Despite their threatens for Egyptian stone monuments, A few studies focused on using biocontrol agents against deteriorative fungi and bacteria instead of using chemical assays that leave residuals leading to human toxicity and environmental pollution. This work aims to isolate and identify fungal and bacterial isolates that showed deteriorative activities from stone monuments in Temple of Hathor, Luxor, Egypt, as well as determine the inhibitory activity of metabolites produced by Streptomyces exfoliatus SAMAH 2021 against the identified deteriorative fungal and bacterial strains. Moreover, studying the spectral analysis, toxicological assessment of metabolites produced by S. exfoliatus SAMAH 2021 against health human cell fibroblast, and colorimetric measurements on the selected stone monuments. Ten samples were collected from Temple of Hathor, Luxor, Egypt. Three fungal isolates and one bacterial isolate were obtained and identified as A. niger isolate Hathor 2, C. fioriniae strain Hathor 3, P. chrysogenum strain HATHOR 1, and L. sphaericus strain Hathor 4, respectively. Inhibitory potential of the metabolites in all concentrations used (100–25%) against the recommended antibiotics (Tetracycline 10 µg/ml and Doxycycline (30 µg/ml) showed an inhibitory effect toward all tested deteriorative pathogens with a minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of 25%. Cytotoxicity test confirmed that microbial filtrate as the antimicrobial agent was safe for healthy human skin fibroblast with IC50 of < 100% and cell viability of 97%. Gas chromatography analysis recorded the existence of thirteen antimicrobial agents, Cis-vaccenic acid; 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid; ç-Butyl-ç-butyrolactone and other compounds. Colorimetric measurements confirmed no color or surface change for the limestone-treated pieces. The use of the metabolite of microbial species antimicrobial as a biocontrol agent raises contemporary issues concerning the bio-protection of the Egyptian monuments to reduce chemical formulas that are toxic to humans and pollute the environment. Such serious problems need further investigation for all kinds of monuments.

“Cup of Pharaoh” from Samarra and the Reuse of Ancient spolia as Water Features in the medieval Islamic World

This paper opens with a consideration of the biography of a large basin discovered during excavations at the Abbasid capital of Samarra. The large, circular, basin from Samarra closely matches historical descriptions of a fountain located in the city’s Congregational Mosque which became known as “kasat firun,” or the “Cup of Pharaoh” and, since its discovery, this excavated basin and the historical account of the fountain have often been conflated as one and the same. The excavated basin is carved from a non-local—and probably Egyptian—stone which may have generated its mysterious association with the Pharaonic past. A consideration of the possible sources from which such a large stone basin might have been obtained during the Islamic period, however, opens up a wider discussion related to the reuse of pre-Islamic artefacts as water features. This paper explores possible scenarios through which the basin from Samarra might have been acquired by the Abbasid caliphs alongside the logistics associated with its transport to Samarra. In addition, the likely motivations for the installation of this enigmatic stone basin are evaluated—including pragmatic reuse of an impressive piece of stonework, a symbolic statement of contemporary pre-eminence over the rulers of the past or perhaps even beliefs in the quasi-magical powers of ancient objects. Alongside this, the existence of several comparable, near-contemporary, basins, demonstrate that the reuse of objects from the past as contemporary water features in important locations, was a wider practice seen in both the Islamic world and beyond. As an object that seems to have led multiple lives, the complex biography of the basin from Samarra illuminates the ways in which material remains of the past were understood and repurposed during the Abbasid Caliphate.

The Camel from Alexandria: Egyptian Sources of Ancient Sport*

A widespread system of sporting competitions existed in the Mediterranean world of Greco-Roman antiquity. Egypt played an interesting role in these competitions – and ancient Grecian sport had deep roots there. A variety of Egyptian sources, including papyri, stone inscriptions, and pictorial representations, document these sporting practices. This paper is based on a lecture delivered in 2017 for the opening ceremony of the 18th International Society for the History of Physical Education and Sport Congress at the Alexandria Library in Alexandria, Egypt.

The Role of Environmental Factors in the Early Development of Egyptian Stone Architecture

Much detail regarding the early development of stone architecture in Egypt remains unclear. Prevailing studies tend to focus on the contribution of religious and socio-economic factors, but the role of environmental elements should not be understated. For much of the First Dynasty, innovation in stone architecture was driven by developments in the private realm, a result of favourable geology in Lower Egypt. Meanwhile, multiple strands of evidence suggest that Egypt experienced wetter climatic conditions during the Early Dynastic period and the Old Kingdom. This would have had major implications on both the production of mudbrick and the short-term durability of mudbrick structures. It is argued that these environmental factors played a key role in facilitating and accelerating the rise of stone architecture in Egypt.

Sculpture in Native Egyptian Stones in Julio-Claudian Contexts

This essay deals with the stone anciently termed basanite and its identification, with particular attention paid to its privileging by members of the Julio-Claudian dynasty for their images, sugges...

Effects of marble sludge incorporation on the properties of cement composites and concrete paving blocks

The continuous development of the ornamental stone industry in Egypt due to the increasingly great demand of the Egyptian stones, whether on the local or the international scale, led to a continuous and increasing accumulation of huge quantities of marble wastes in different forms which may reach about 55–85 % of the total quarrying and processing stages. The main objective of this study is to demonstrate the possibility of using marble wastes (marble sludge) as a cement substitute in cement and concrete production. The current study presents the characterization of marble sludge and various practical formulations of cement composites and concrete mixtures. With regard to cement composites pastes, the marble sludge was substituted for cement binder up to 40% at certain proportions of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40%. The mineralogical, physical and mechanical properties of both the fresh and hardened cement composites pastes and hardened concrete mixtures including marble sludge were determined at 3, 7 and 28 d, curing times for cement composites and 28 d for concrete products according to standard test methods (ASTM and BS EN) and the results were compared with the specification requirements of these standards. The results showed that using up to 20% of marble sludge, improved the physical and mechanical properties of concrete products.

Treatment and Conservation of Six Egyptian Archaeological Stone Sarcophagi

Treatment and Conservation of Six Egyptian Archaeological Stone Sarcophagi

Treatment and Conservation of Six Egyptian Archaeological Stone Sarcophagi

Treatment and Conservation of Six Egyptian Archaeological Stone Sarcophagi

On the Quest for Better Communication through Tactile Images

Abstract Art in Western civilization has become a commodity that is fixed to walls and viewed through the eyes. In fact, most museums and galleries post "Do not touch" signs dissuading audiences from partaking in anything but the visual aspects of art. Yet art production is something that is inherently tactile; it involves engaging with art media such as paint and brush or clay that is molded by the human hand. Compounded by the "Do not touch" attitude is the taboo in society that draws people away from sensuality, especially touch. Yet touch is a natural way of exploring the world and, according to many researchers, a natural and important way of exploring art as well. There are many historical examples of art that have tactile components, for example, relief on Egyptian stone tablets and brush-stroked textures on a Mondrian painting. Even so, these are typically intended for visual-centric audiences and are not necessarily designed or intended to be touched. Yet, another story exists, which is the development of tactile representations of maps, artwork, and other materials for people who are visually impaired.3

Evaluation of treated and un-treated Nubia Sandstone using ultrasonic as a non-destructive technique

Deterioration factors, both “exogenous” and “endogenous”, are major sources of damaging monumental stones in Egypt. In the current study, the change state of one of the major Egyptian stones (Nubia Sandstone) is investigated and evaluated before and after consolidation by the use of wave velocity as a new method for detecting its elasticity modulus. Wave velocity propagation (Vp) is one of the most important and effective methods for estimating the durability of monumental stones without using any other harmful method as a compressive strength. This technique is usually used for a number of purposes, the first of which is the qualification of masonry building through its morphology and detection of internal defects (e.g. voids and cracks). The second is the examination of the changes of material physical properties, and the control conservation procedures. Third, it is used with some samples of Nubia sandstone for a laboratory test. The study concludes that the durability of samples increases due to the increase of material compacting as a direct result of using consolidant materials. Using the Vp as a non-destructive technique in examining monumental materials gives the same results of other harmful techniques.

A Journey´s End - Two Egyptian Stone Vessels with Hieroglyphic Inscriptions from the Royal Tomb at Tell Mišrife/Qaṭna

Inhaltsverzeichnis: A. AHRENS: A Journey's End – Two Egyptian Stone Vessels with Hieroglyphic Inscriptions from the Royal Tomb at Tell Mišrife/Qaṭna; B. BADER: Von Palmen und Vögeln – Vorschau auf die Keramik aus dem Areal H/VI östlich des Palastes G in Ezbet Helmi; M. BIETAK und I. FORSTNER-MÜLLER: Eine palatiale Anlage der frühen Hyksoszeit (Areal F/II). Vorläufige Ergebnisse der Grabungskampagne 2006 in Tell el-Dab'a; I. FORSTNER-MÜLLER, W. MÜLLER: Neueste Ergebnisse des Magnetometersurveys während der Frühjahrskampagne 2006 in Tell el-Dab'a/Qantir; J. BUDKA: The Oriental Institute Ahmose and Tethisheri Project at Abydos 2002–2004: The New Kingdom Pottery; Y. GOREN, N. Na'aman, H. MOMMSEN and I. FINKELSTEIN: Study and Reevaluation of the Cuneiform Documents from the Egyptian residency at Tel Aphek; R. SCHIESTL: The Statue of an Asiatic Man from Tell el-Dab'a, Egypt; G. VITTMANN: Eine spätzeitliche Schultafel aus dem Asasif; I. ZIFFER: A Seal Impressed Handle in the Collection of the Eretz Israel Museum, Tel Aviv; V. MÜLLER: Wie gut fixiert ist die Chronologie des Neuen Reiches wirklich?; Ch. BENNET: Genealogy and the Chronology of the Second Intermediate Period; Gerard P. F. BROEKMAN: Once again the reign of Takeloth II; Another view on the Chronology of the mid 22nd Dynasty; K. JANSEN-WINKELN: The Relevance of Genealogical Information for Egyptian Chronology; D. KAHN: Divided Kingdom, Co-regency, or sole rule of Egyptian Chronology – a Reconsideration; U. LUFT: Absolute Chronology in Egypt in the First Quaerter of the Second Millennium BC; F. WENINGER, P. STEINER, W. KUTSCHERA, E.-M-Wild: The Principle of the Bayesian Method, M.H. WIENER: Egypt & Time

News from an Old Excavation: Two Hitherto Unnoticed Measure Capacity Signs on an Egyptian Stone Vessel of the Middle Kingdom from Royal Tomb II at Byblos

Excavated by French Egyptologist P. Montet in the 1920s, Royal Tomb II at Byblos (Bronze Age Gubla) yielded a significant number of Egyptian objects of the Middle Kingdom. Among these finds is a stone vessel with lid that carries the cartouche of a king named Amenemhat, often believed to be Amenemhat IV of the late Middle Kingdom. Hitherto unnoticed by the scholarly community, however, are two Egyptian measure capacity signs on the stone vessel itself. Since measure capacity signs on stone vessels dating to the Middle Kingdom are only rarely attested even in Egypt, the signs on the stone vessel from Royal Tomb II at Byblos therefore contribute considerably to our understanding of the use and application of such signs. The article deals with the examination of these signs and tries to correlate them with the actual capacity of the vessel.

Egyptian Stone Vessels: Khian through Tuthmosis IV. Christine Lilyquist

Previous articleNext article No AccessBook ReviewsEgyptian Stone Vessels: Khian through Tuthmosis IV. Christine Lilyquist Emily TeeterEmily Teeter Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by Journal of Near Eastern Studies Volume 57, Number 4Oct., 1998 Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/468659 Views: 2Total views on this site Copyright 1998 The University of ChicagoPDF download Crossref reports no articles citing this article.

Enterovirus infections.

Enterovirus infections.

Egyptian Stone Vessels: Khian through Thutmosis IV. By Christine Lilyquist. The Sarcophagus in the Tomb of Tutankhamun. By M. Eaton-Krauss. Stone Vessels, Pottery and Sealings from the Tomb of Tutankhamun. By John Baines.

<i>Egyptian Stone Vessels: Khian through Thutmosis IV</i>. By Christine Lilyquist. <i>The Sarcophagus in the Tomb of Tutankhamun</i>. By M. Eaton-Krauss. <i>Stone Vessels, Pottery and Sealings from the Tomb of Tutankhamun</i>. By John Baines.

Ancient Egyptian Stone Vessels: Materials and Forms

Ancient Egyptian Stone Vessels: Materials and Forms

Reconsidering Byblian and Egyptian stone anchors using numeral methods: new finds from the Israeli coast

Etude de 26 ancres de pierre decouvertes le long de la cote nord d'Israel. Ces ancres semblent appartenir a deux grands groupes typologiques principaux : le type de Byblos et le type egyptien. L'auteur propose donc de redefinir dans cet article la forme, les caracteristiques et la distribution de ces ancres, en procedant a plusieurs mesures geometriques. Il appparait que les donnees restent trop imprecises pour attribuer ces ancres a un groupe ethnique par l'observation de la forme et des caracteristiques : ces definitions typologiques sont donc erronees

Reconsidering Byblian and Egyptian stone anchors using numeral methods: new finds from the Israeli coast

Reconsidering Byblian and Egyptian stone anchors using numeral methods: new finds from the Israeli coast

Palynology of a resin from an Egyptian coffin of the second century B.C.

A palynological analysis was carried out on a small amount of resin from the inside of an anthropoid Egyptian stone coffin from the second century B.C.Pinus halepensis Miller is the best represented resiniferous plant (5.3%) in the pollen spectrum and the botanical origin of the resin can be ascribed to it. The only group of pollen which is relatively abundant in the spectrum is Poaceae (29.6%). This high percentage suggests that grasses were in bloom during the period the resin was collected (late spring or summer). Pollen of Quercus ilex, Olea europaea, Ostrya carpinifolia, Castanea sativa were also found. Pollen grains of Hordeum and Avena/Triticum types together with those of Plantago, Urtica, Chenopodiaceae, Rumex and Artemisia represent anthropogenic indicators.A phytogeographical interpretation of the found pollen assemblage suggests the eastern part of the Mediterranean as the most probable area where the resin was collected. The presence of Cedrus libani pollen suggests an origin from south-eastern Turkey, north-western Syria or northern Lebanon. The flora of this area is in accordance with the pollen assemblage found in the studied resin.