Final Report: Conservation and Training Field School, Karnak Temple, Khonsu Temple-Hypostyle Hall

The stones used to build the hypostyle hall were reused, and their surfaces were not smooth. All surfaces of the hypostyle hall were decorated with figures and inscriptions. The dimensions of the hypostyle hall are 23.70 meters wide and 8.10 meters high on the north and south walls, and 9.40 meters wide and 6.25 meters high on the east and west walls. The total volume of the hypostyle hall is 222.78 cubic meters. The original construction technique involved reusing blocks that were not originally cut for the temple. The blocks were decorated with figures and inscriptions, and the hypostyle hall was built between the peristyle court and the ambulatory. The hypostyle hall is a significant part of Khonsou Temple, and its construction is a testament to the ingenuity and skill of the ancient Egyptians. The seasonal scope of work for the 2017-2018 season included training employees from the Ministry of Antiquities in documentation and conservation techniques, as well as executing conservation treatments on the hypostyle hall. The treatments included pre-consolidation, removal of previous intervention materials, mechanical cleaning, chemical cleaning, re-adhesion, grouting, consolidation, mortar filling, and desalination. Prior to any conservation work, a condition assessment was conducted to record the condition of the walls and map the damage. The assessment revealed superficial decay, intentional mechanical damage, salt crust, soiling, and surface deposits. The superficial decay included defacement of the king's face, which may have occurred for political reasons or to prevent the soul from re-entering the body. The salt crust damaged some figures and inscriptions, and was concentrated on the lower parts of the walls, which were exposed to flood waters and underground water. The soiling included a thick layer of soot, possibly from when the hall was used as a house during the Coptic/Byzantine period, and a layer of dust. Surface deposits included bird droppings, birds' nests, and bat blood, which caused deterioration of the pictorial and paint layers due to its high acidity. The condition assessment was crucial in determining the most appropriate treatment methods for the hypostyle hall. The conservation treatments were executed in accordance with the ARCE system, and the trainees were encouraged to work as a team. The treatments included pre-consolidation, removal of previous intervention materials, mechanical cleaning, chemical cleaning, re-adhesion, grouting, consolidation, mortar filling, and desalination. The treatments were designed to stabilize the structure, remove damage, and restore the original appearance of the hypostyle hall. The project was conducted in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development and the Egyptian Ministry of State for Antiquities. The American Research Center in Egypt-Luxor was the implementing agency, and the project was funded by USAID Agreement No. 263-A-15-00007. The project aimed to train employees from the Ministry of Antiquities in documentation and conservation techniques, and to execute conservation treatments on the hypostyle hall of Khonsou Temple.