A Study of the Environmental Conditions at the Egyptian Geographic Society Museum in Cairo and Their Impact on Archaeological Leather

M. K.. Krorra, Amany.; H. Ibrahim, Yasser; Osman, Nourhan Mohamad

doi:10.21608/ijasri.2024.298194.1016

A Study of the Environmental Conditions at the Egyptian Geographic Society Museum in Cairo and Their Impact on Archaeological Leather

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Professor; Conservation Department - Faculty of Archeology – Fayoum University; and the former Dean of Faculty of Archeology – Aswan University.

² Professor of Air Pollution Chemistry at the National Research Center in Cairo.

³ Department of Archaeological Restoration - Faculty of Archeology - Fayoum University.

10.21608/ijasri.2024.298194.1016

Abstract

This study encompasses the systematic monitoring of environmental parameters affecting the conserved leather artifacts within the Cairo Hall (Craft and Industries) of the Egyptian Geographical Society Museum on El Qasr El-Ainy Street in Cairo. The investigation entails the comprehensive surveillance and quantification of temperature and relative humidity over two distinct phases: a four-week observation during the winter season (comprising the initial phase) followed by an additional four-week scrutiny during the summer season (comprising the subsequent phase). This stratified approach is adopted to capture the variances in temperature and relative humidity between the external ambient atmosphere and the internal museum environment, which qualitatively impacts the archaeological holdings. Concurrently, continuous monitoring and meticulous tracking of fluctuating temperature and humidity levels across discrete temporal epochs are conducted, supplemented by the quantification of airborne pollutant gases, particulate matter, and suspended dust. Methodologically, air and suspended dust samples are collected over consecutive two-month intervals within the museum premises. Additionally, a Petri dish is deployed within the vitrine housing the archaeological sandal under investigation, while four exposed Petri dishes containing a nutritive substrate are positioned open within the museum atmosphere for a duration of four hours to delineate the presence of airborne fungi. Concurrently, biological swabs are obtained from an archaeological leather sandal preserved at the Egyptian Geographical Society Museum. Collectively, the findings underscore the inhospitable nature of the indoor museum environment for the preservation or storage of archaeological artifacts, particularly leather-based specimens.

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