Ancient Egyptian Granite Graffiti of Bigeh Island, Philae Archaeological Site (Aswan, Egypt): An Archaeometric and Decay Assessment for Their Conservation
This study investigates the deterioration of granite graffiti at the Philae Archaeological Site on Bigeh Island (Aswan, Egypt), attributed to Khaemwaset (1281–1225 BCE, 19th Dynasty). These graffiti, despite being carved into durable Aswan granite, are experiencing progressive degradation due to env...
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2025-04-01
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| author | Abdelrhman Fahmy Salvador Domínguez-Bella Eduardo Molina-Piernas |
| author_facet | Abdelrhman Fahmy Salvador Domínguez-Bella Eduardo Molina-Piernas |
| author_sort | Abdelrhman Fahmy |
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| description | This study investigates the deterioration of granite graffiti at the Philae Archaeological Site on Bigeh Island (Aswan, Egypt), attributed to Khaemwaset (1281–1225 BCE, 19th Dynasty). These graffiti, despite being carved into durable Aswan granite, are experiencing progressive degradation due to environmental and hydrological factors. This research aims to analyze the mineralogical and chemical transformations affecting the graffiti to provide a comparative assessment of submerged and unsubmerged granite surfaces. A multi-analytical approach was employed, combining petrographical examination, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) to identify compositional changes and deterioration patterns. The results indicate mineralogical transformations in submerged and periodically exposed surfaces. The granite primarily consists of quartz, feldspar, and biotite, with notable alterations including kaolinization and illitization and dissolution of feldspar minerals and biotite oxidation. These processes are directly linked to prolonged exposure to fluctuating water levels and recurrent wet–dry cycles, which accelerate granular disintegration, exfoliation, and surface loss. Additionally, salt crystallization, particularly halite, contributes to granite weathering, while sulfate interactions promote chemical weathering. In addition, biofilm colonization, facilitated by high moisture retention, further exacerbates surface deterioration by producing organic acids that weaken the mineral matrix. Finally, the results confirm the need for conservation interventions to mitigate ongoing damage. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2571-9408 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-e4e7d7a5cd594d74a31d95003a0607c42025-08-20T02:28:36ZengMDPI AGHeritage2571-94082025-04-018413710.3390/heritage8040137Ancient Egyptian Granite Graffiti of Bigeh Island, Philae Archaeological Site (Aswan, Egypt): An Archaeometric and Decay Assessment for Their ConservationAbdelrhman Fahmy0Salvador Domínguez-Bella1Eduardo Molina-Piernas2Department of Earth Sciences, UGEA-PHAM, Faculty of Sciences, University of Cadiz, Campus Rio San Pedro, 11519 Puerto Real, Cadiz, SpainDepartment of Earth Sciences, UGEA-PHAM, Faculty of Sciences, University of Cadiz, Campus Rio San Pedro, 11519 Puerto Real, Cadiz, SpainDepartment of Earth Sciences, UGEA-PHAM, Faculty of Sciences, University of Cadiz, Campus Rio San Pedro, 11519 Puerto Real, Cadiz, SpainThis study investigates the deterioration of granite graffiti at the Philae Archaeological Site on Bigeh Island (Aswan, Egypt), attributed to Khaemwaset (1281–1225 BCE, 19th Dynasty). These graffiti, despite being carved into durable Aswan granite, are experiencing progressive degradation due to environmental and hydrological factors. This research aims to analyze the mineralogical and chemical transformations affecting the graffiti to provide a comparative assessment of submerged and unsubmerged granite surfaces. A multi-analytical approach was employed, combining petrographical examination, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) to identify compositional changes and deterioration patterns. The results indicate mineralogical transformations in submerged and periodically exposed surfaces. The granite primarily consists of quartz, feldspar, and biotite, with notable alterations including kaolinization and illitization and dissolution of feldspar minerals and biotite oxidation. These processes are directly linked to prolonged exposure to fluctuating water levels and recurrent wet–dry cycles, which accelerate granular disintegration, exfoliation, and surface loss. Additionally, salt crystallization, particularly halite, contributes to granite weathering, while sulfate interactions promote chemical weathering. In addition, biofilm colonization, facilitated by high moisture retention, further exacerbates surface deterioration by producing organic acids that weaken the mineral matrix. Finally, the results confirm the need for conservation interventions to mitigate ongoing damage.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/8/4/137graffitiBigeh Islandgranitedecayconservation |
| spellingShingle | Abdelrhman Fahmy Salvador Domínguez-Bella Eduardo Molina-Piernas Ancient Egyptian Granite Graffiti of Bigeh Island, Philae Archaeological Site (Aswan, Egypt): An Archaeometric and Decay Assessment for Their Conservation Heritage graffiti Bigeh Island granite decay conservation |
| title | Ancient Egyptian Granite Graffiti of Bigeh Island, Philae Archaeological Site (Aswan, Egypt): An Archaeometric and Decay Assessment for Their Conservation |
| title_full | Ancient Egyptian Granite Graffiti of Bigeh Island, Philae Archaeological Site (Aswan, Egypt): An Archaeometric and Decay Assessment for Their Conservation |
| title_fullStr | Ancient Egyptian Granite Graffiti of Bigeh Island, Philae Archaeological Site (Aswan, Egypt): An Archaeometric and Decay Assessment for Their Conservation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ancient Egyptian Granite Graffiti of Bigeh Island, Philae Archaeological Site (Aswan, Egypt): An Archaeometric and Decay Assessment for Their Conservation |
| title_short | Ancient Egyptian Granite Graffiti of Bigeh Island, Philae Archaeological Site (Aswan, Egypt): An Archaeometric and Decay Assessment for Their Conservation |
| title_sort | ancient egyptian granite graffiti of bigeh island philae archaeological site aswan egypt an archaeometric and decay assessment for their conservation |
| topic | graffiti Bigeh Island granite decay conservation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/8/4/137 |
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