In-Situ Conservation of the Temple of Amun Nakht: Ayn Birbiyeh, Dakhleh Oasis in Egypt

The site of Ayn Birbiyeh was found to contain the remains of a temple upon test excavations conducted in 1983. Stone walls were found in various stages of deterioration, and it was decided that joint archaeological investigations and conservation measures should be undertaken. The temple was probably built during the first six centuries A.D. (Roman period). Because of deterioration of the stone building material, complete exposure before conservation was impossible. Mechanisms of distress included mechanical (wind erosion) and structural disintegration from burial within sand and clay, particularly when the area was farmed. A windbreak was erected to prevent future wind erosion. Treatment of distressed stone involved structural reconstitution - providing the distressed stone with increased strength by deposition of spatial latticework of silicates throughout each stone fragment. Blocks were consolidated a row at a time, leaving protective sand/clay in place during consolidation of the surface. Sodium silicate was the liquid siliceous material used. The author recognizes that most conservators would object to this material, but he outlines procedures that he thinks ameliorate the potential bad effects. The importance of conservation measures to the project's archaeological goals are stressed. -- CAL