Architectural Conservation and Site Management Project at Red Monastery, Emergency Termite Control Works

The project was carried out in two phases, before and after Ramadan, from May 2, 2018, to June 26, 2018. The work was directed by Dr. Nicholas Warner and implemented by Mahmud al-Taiyyib, with supervision from the Sohag Taftish of the Ministry of Antiquities. The project focused on two main areas: exterior and interior works. Exterior works involved drilling 50 boreholes around the perimeter of the sanctuary and installing perforated PVC pipes to apply chemical termite deterrent. The first line of pipes was designed for repeat applications every five years, while the second line was intended for one-time use only. A total of 350 litres of deterrent was inserted into the pipes manually using a funnel, divided between the two lines. A repeat application of chemicals was carried out after an interval of one month to improve saturation and diffusion of the deterrent. Interior works involved treating the ground below the stone pavement and wooden elements in the walls with insecticide. The existing limestone floor was selectively cleaned out, and a chemical deterrent was introduced through the empty joints. A mixture of "Pyrifos", "Citronelle", and "Navda Rumi" was used in the treatment, diluted in diesel in the proportion 20 cl to 5 litres. The insecticide was applied by hand using a funnel, ensuring adequate dispersal of the deterrent. The project used a broad-spectrum insecticide called "Pyrifos" in the initial application, which was later replaced with "Coach 20% SC" for the repeat application. The latter chemical compound contains the PERSUAP-approved chemical "Fibronil". The project was executed in accordance with the Permanent Committee approval of April 29, 2018, and under the terms of the ARCE sub-agreement no. CHTE-01 under USAID cooperative agreement no. AID-263-A-15-00007, "Site Management at the Red Monastery". The project was carried out in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development and the Egyptian Ministry of State for Antiquities. The work was supervised by Dr. Nicholas Warner, with assistance from Mahmud al-Taiyyib and the Sohag Taftish of the Ministry of Antiquities. The project aimed to protect the Red Monastery Church from termite damage and ensure the long-term preservation of this important cultural heritage site. The project's methodology involved the use of chemical termite deterrents to minimize the risk of termite damage to the sanctuary. The exterior works involved drilling boreholes and installing PVC pipes to apply the deterrent, while the interior works involved treating the ground below the stone pavement and wooden elements in the walls. The project used a combination of insecticides, including "Pyrifos" and "Coach 20% SC", to achieve the desired level of termite control. The project's findings indicate that the use of chemical termite deterrents can be an effective method for protecting cultural heritage sites from termite damage. The project's results show that the use of "Pyrifos" and "Coach 20% SC" can achieve a high level of termite control, reducing the risk of damage to the sanctuary. The project's methodology can be applied to other cultural heritage sites to protect them from termite damage and ensure their long-term preservation.