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The paper aims to study a rare Roman glass cup, consisting of a set of glass breakages, preserved at the Museum of Archeology Department - College of Tourism and Archaeology, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia. The cup was found at Qaryat Al-Faw site (also Qaryat Al-Fau), the capital of the first Kindah kingdom (fourth century BC-fourth century AD). It is located about 100 km south of Wadi ad-Dawasir, and about 700 km southwest of Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia. Qaryat Al-Faw archeological site reveals various features such as residential area, markets, roads, cemeteries, temples, and water wells. On the exterior surface of the glass cup, there are color graphics representing what seems to be Egyptian(zing) elements. This cup was the only one consisting of such elements in all sites cross the Arabian Peninsula. Scanning Electron Microscope and Differential Scanning Calorimetry were applied indicating soda glass type, and compared with the chemical analysis of con-temporary imported pieces from Egypt the present study indicated that no furnaces for the manufacture of glass were found in Qaryat Al-Faw site, which promotes the import hypothesis. According to preliminary interpretations, it is likely that the cup was of a Roman origin and was probably made in Alexandria in Egypt and dates from about the late first-early second century AD, and apparently brought to the site by one of Qaryat Al-Faw merchants. Although Qaryat Al-Faw is also famous of glass remains, there are no information about any local production of glass in the site and no kilns had been found. The local glass industry at Qaryat Al-Faw site, if any, was not documented during archaeological excavations conducted by the Dept of Archaeology, King Saud University. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies some ceramic lustreware dishes with metallic glaze dating back to the Abbasid era (2-3rd century AH/8-9th AD) and preserved in Rashid archaeological stores. The samples were selected based on the diversity of textual and pictoral decorations including written words, plants, animals and geometric elements. The manufacturing process and mineral and chemical composition of the dishes have been subjected to several examination and analytical methods including stereo microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The study revealed a heterogeneous distribution of the color grains on the surface of the dishes and nanoparticles of metallic silver/copper ranging between 50-100nm. The metal oxides of the silver nanoparticles appeared in high percentage compared to nano copper particles on the surface of the lustre metallic layer which fact accounts for the greenish brown color of the dishes. While Arabic gum was used for fixing the decorations, the lustre layer was fired at 500°C and the firing of the ceramic body varied between 700°C and 800°C. A treatment and maintenance plan is suggested to preserve the pieces from further damage owing to their high archaeological value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to evaluate of silica and alumina nanocomposites in consolidation and protection of archaeological glass from early Islamic period in Egypt. Archaeological glass is exposed to deterioration by moisture, as water is considered one of the most dangerous damage factors that attack glass artifacts. This results in many aspects of deterioration including weeping glass, cracks, dulling, formation of weathering crusts, salt growing, and corroded surfaces. From this standpoint, materials which are used in the consolidation and protection of those glass artifacts must have the property of hydrophobicity in order to protect them from the harmful effects of water. In the last decade, polymer-nanoparticle composites have attracted great interest in the field of culture heritage conservation due to their unique multifunctional properties resulting from the high surface area and chemical activity of the nanoparticles dispersed in the polymers. In this study, Silicon dioxide (SiO2) and alumina oxide (Al2O3) nanoparticles are added to silicon based polymer (poly alkyl siloxane) (Silres BS-290) in order to improve their physiochemical and mechanical properties. This produced a significant improvement in the ability of the polymers to consolidate and protect archaeological glass. The treated samples are exposed to artificial ageing to test the efficiency of the consolidation materials. The properties of untreated, treated and aged glass samples were evaluated by TEM, stereo microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), colormetric measurements, static water contact angle, density and hardness tests (physical and mechanical properities). Results showed that the treated sample with SiO2/Al2O3/Poly siloxane nanocomposites are good candidates for consolidation and protection of glass objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work introduces a laboratory multi-technique study for a unique heritage object from the Persian Safavid art preserved in Egypt. This study is alleged to be the preliminary one of such heritage embroidered and appliqued leather tapestry. The aim of the present study is to reveal the type(s) of fibers and dyes used in crafting this rare artwork and the deterioration forms as well. The study used the Stereo Microscope (SM), the Scanning Electron Microscope coupled with EDX unit (SEM-EDX), ATR-FTIR and the MALDI-TOF MS. The object is composed of different layers; a textile substrate, a blank leather layer upon the textile substrate, a blackish leather layer, pre-cut white leather patterns appliqued upon the blackish layer using threads, the entire surface is embroidered with dyed threads. The obtained results revealed that the textile substrate is a plain cotton. The embroidery threads are also cotton, dyed with natural indigo, madder and Persian berries. Dyes' mordants were not verified, probably due to the high proportion of dust and soiling matters. The object is suffering from many deterioration forms; namely drying, brittle fabric and threads, faded dyes, lost threads and parts, stains in both the textile substrate and the embroidery threads, and much amount of dust and soiling matters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]