Conservation Training Field School, TT 110 Forecourt Area-Unknown Tomb

The project was part of the Cultural Heritage Tourism Project in Egypt, funded by USAID Agreement No. 263-A-15-00007. The tomb's construction involved a support layer made of limestone, a pictorial layer composed of gypsum plaster or lime, and a paint layer containing colored pigments and a binding medium. A thorough condition assessment revealed various forms of decay, including superficial decay, surface deposits, paint layer decay, and support decay. Superficial decay was characterized by soiling, with soot and dust accumulating on the walls and ceiling. Surface deposits, such as bird droppings and spider webs, caused significant damage to the paint and pictorial layers. Paint loss was observed in several areas, possibly due to fire or physical factors like weathering. Scaling and flaking of the paint crust were also noted, particularly in areas with thick layers of pigments. Pictorial layer decay was evident in the form of cracks, powdering, and detachment. Cracks were observed in the plaster, while powdering occurred due to the loss of cohesion between the grains of plaster materials. Detachment between the support layer and the plaster layer was identified, posing a risk of collapse if left untreated. Support decay was characterized by loss of original stone on the walls and ceiling, as well as detachment of layers from the bedrock. Cracks in the bedrock were visible, resulting from earthquakes and geological movements. Fragmentation of the stone was also observed, caused by networks of cracks. Documentation work was conducted using ARCE's documentation methodology, covering all types of damage and treatment methods. Reports and maps were created to record the findings and treatment plans. The documentation included photographs and drawings of the tomb's condition before and after conservation, as well as detailed evaluations of the damage and treatment methods employed.