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Figure 5 XRF pattern for the orange pigment, lead was the major element indicated in the sample. Figure 6 EDX analysis for the orange paint layer indicat- ing the presence of Pb, Fe. Al, Ca and traces from Mn and K.

Figure 5 XRF pattern for the orange pigment, lead was the major element indicated in the sample. Figure 6 EDX analysis for the orange paint layer indicat- ing the presence of Pb, Fe. Al, Ca and traces from Mn and K.

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In 2005-2006 the IFAO mission uncovered a unique encaustic painting inside the walls of the monks’ houses in the northern part of the her- mitage of the Apa Apollo at Baouit (Benazeth, 2010 ) (Fig.1) Figure 1 Encaustic mural painting on the northern wall, building no.1, Baouit.
In 2005-2006 the IFAO mission uncovered a unique encaustic painting inside the walls of the monks’ houses in the northern part of the her- mitage of the Apa Apollo at Baouit (Benazeth, 2010 ) (Fig.1) Figure 1 Encaustic mural painting on the northern wall, building no.1, Baouit.
Figure 2 Room no.7 , building no.1, during excavation, photo to the north -west (Courtesy of IFAO). On the south side of the room, the vault bears the representations of a series of characters in which one can recognise two of the founders of Bawit monastery and nine prophets, each of whom holds a scroll inscribed with a passage from their prophecy. The base of the vault is decorated with a frieze of meanders alternating with birds. The wall itself is decorated with a pattern of diamond shapes each holding a green leaf. Another geometric pattern, covered with large blooming flowers, is painted on the west wall. The east wall, of which only the lower part remains, holds three niches. The decoration of the largest, set in the middle of the wall, was found in the debris. It depicted Christ surrounded by seraphim and the symbols of the four evangelists.
Figure 2 Room no.7 , building no.1, during excavation, photo to the north -west (Courtesy of IFAO). On the south side of the room, the vault bears the representations of a series of characters in which one can recognise two of the founders of Bawit monastery and nine prophets, each of whom holds a scroll inscribed with a passage from their prophecy. The base of the vault is decorated with a frieze of meanders alternating with birds. The wall itself is decorated with a pattern of diamond shapes each holding a green leaf. Another geometric pattern, covered with large blooming flowers, is painted on the west wall. The east wall, of which only the lower part remains, holds three niches. The decoration of the largest, set in the middle of the wall, was found in the debris. It depicted Christ surrounded by seraphim and the symbols of the four evangelists.
Figure 4 XRD pattern for the encaustic mural painting substrate indicating the presence calcite and quartz, in- dicating the presence of lime based plaster , with no alumino -silicate materials.
Figure 4 XRD pattern for the encaustic mural painting substrate indicating the presence calcite and quartz, in- dicating the presence of lime based plaster , with no alumino -silicate materials.
Figure 3 SEM indicating the stratigraphic composition and the thicknesses of the encaustic paint layer and its substrate, Baouit, Building no.1.
Figure 3 SEM indicating the stratigraphic composition and the thicknesses of the encaustic paint layer and its substrate, Baouit, Building no.1.
Two samples from the orange paint layer were investigated and analysed by means of SEM coupled with EDX,-indicating the presence of highly back scattered elements in the paint layer, while elemental analysis using XRF and EDX proved the presence of Lead (Pb) as a ma- jor element as well as Iron (Fe) and Mn,Cu,As. (Fig. 5,6)
Two samples from the orange paint layer were investigated and analysed by means of SEM coupled with EDX,-indicating the presence of highly back scattered elements in the paint layer, while elemental analysis using XRF and EDX proved the presence of Lead (Pb) as a ma- jor element as well as Iron (Fe) and Mn,Cu,As. (Fig. 5,6)
Figure 7 XRD pattern of the orange pigment indicating the presence of minium Pb304 and calcite CaCO3
Figure 7 XRD pattern of the orange pigment indicating the presence of minium Pb304 and calcite CaCO3
cannot be relied on as a solo analysis technique, whether the green pigment was iron based or copper based was not clear. Figure 9 XRF result of the green paint layer indicating the presence of Cu, Ca Fe, and Pb. Analysis of the green pigment using XRF indi- cated the presence of copper and iron as major components (Fig.9), with some traces of magne- sium and Arsenic. The XRF elemental analysis
cannot be relied on as a solo analysis technique, whether the green pigment was iron based or copper based was not clear. Figure 9 XRF result of the green paint layer indicating the presence of Cu, Ca Fe, and Pb. Analysis of the green pigment using XRF indi- cated the presence of copper and iron as major components (Fig.9), with some traces of magne- sium and Arsenic. The XRF elemental analysis
Figure 8 XRD pattern for the yellow paint layer revealed the presence of natrojarosite, hydrated sodium iron sulphate, [NaFe3(SO,)2(OH)] for the lemon yellow pigment
Figure 8 XRD pattern for the yellow paint layer revealed the presence of natrojarosite, hydrated sodium iron sulphate, [NaFe3(SO,)2(OH)] for the lemon yellow pigment
Figure 12 XRD pattern for the second green sample indicating the presence of glauconite, calcite and traces of cela- donite
Figure 12 XRD pattern for the second green sample indicating the presence of glauconite, calcite and traces of cela- donite
Figure 10 EDX analysis for the green paint layer revealed the presence of Fe, Ca, Al, Mg, K, Cl and Cu.
Figure 10 EDX analysis for the green paint layer revealed the presence of Fe, Ca, Al, Mg, K, Cl and Cu.
Table 2 relative percentage elemntal result using xrf and edx for the blue paint layer.
Table 2 relative percentage elemntal result using xrf and edx for the blue paint layer.
Figure 15 XRF result of the brownish red paint layer in- dicating the presence of As and traces of Fe. Figure 16 XRD pattern for the brownish red paint layer indicating the presence of orpiment, hematite and cal- cite.
Figure 15 XRF result of the brownish red paint layer in- dicating the presence of As and traces of Fe. Figure 16 XRD pattern for the brownish red paint layer indicating the presence of orpiment, hematite and cal- cite.
An investigation of the blue pigment in thin section showed the presence of anisotropic crystals with tubular shape, and refractive in- dex less than 1.66.compaed to the canada bal- sam medium used in the sample preparation. these properties are typical of cuprorivaite, the crystal shape was also observed under sem in- vestigation (fig no.13) i.e. egyptian blue. ele- mental analysis using xrf analysis indicated the presence of copper as a main component; iron also being present. the analysis also indicated the presence of lead (fig no.14). the presence of lead and traces of other elements as tin and zinc is of paramount importance as this may indicate the reuse of bronze alloy as a source of copper for the fabrication of the egyptian blue. Figure 13 SEM image of the blue paint layer revealed the presence of coarse grains and tubular shaped crystals .
An investigation of the blue pigment in thin section showed the presence of anisotropic crystals with tubular shape, and refractive in- dex less than 1.66.compaed to the canada bal- sam medium used in the sample preparation. these properties are typical of cuprorivaite, the crystal shape was also observed under sem in- vestigation (fig no.13) i.e. egyptian blue. ele- mental analysis using xrf analysis indicated the presence of copper as a main component; iron also being present. the analysis also indicated the presence of lead (fig no.14). the presence of lead and traces of other elements as tin and zinc is of paramount importance as this may indicate the reuse of bronze alloy as a source of copper for the fabrication of the egyptian blue. Figure 13 SEM image of the blue paint layer revealed the presence of coarse grains and tubular shaped crystals .
Figure 14 XRF result for the blue paint layer indicating Cu as a major elemental component of the blue pigment
Figure 14 XRF result for the blue paint layer indicating Cu as a major elemental component of the blue pigment
The elemental analysis using portable X-ray fluorescence for the brownish red sample indi- cates the presences of Arsenic (As 26772 ppm) and minor amounts of iron (Fe 3974 ppm) and calcium (Ca 4251ppm). The XRF result may in- dicate the use of arsenic sulphide, or orpiment (fig no.15). The xrd pattern of the brownish red pigment indicates orpiment, calcite and hema- tite in the composition of the paint layer (fig no.16). This might explain the dark Chroma of this color, being due to the mixture of orpiment and hematite.
The elemental analysis using portable X-ray fluorescence for the brownish red sample indi- cates the presences of Arsenic (As 26772 ppm) and minor amounts of iron (Fe 3974 ppm) and calcium (Ca 4251ppm). The XRF result may in- dicate the use of arsenic sulphide, or orpiment (fig no.15). The xrd pattern of the brownish red pigment indicates orpiment, calcite and hema- tite in the composition of the paint layer (fig no.16). This might explain the dark Chroma of this color, being due to the mixture of orpiment and hematite.
Figure 17 FTIR pattern for two control samples of molten and Punic ( saponified) wax The main functional groups obtained from the contemporary beeswax sample were two main doublets representing stretching in plane and out of plane in the region of 2950 and 2850 cm-!, as well two other sharp doublets at 1460 and 1470 cm. The peak in the region of 715 - 720 cm indicates the CH2 torsion bend; the C- O of the wax ester usually appears in the 1165 - 1170 cm“region; C=O of the organic fatty acids appears in the 1715 -1720 cm region.
Figure 17 FTIR pattern for two control samples of molten and Punic ( saponified) wax The main functional groups obtained from the contemporary beeswax sample were two main doublets representing stretching in plane and out of plane in the region of 2950 and 2850 cm-!, as well two other sharp doublets at 1460 and 1470 cm. The peak in the region of 715 - 720 cm indicates the CH2 torsion bend; the C- O of the wax ester usually appears in the 1165 - 1170 cm“region; C=O of the organic fatty acids appears in the 1715 -1720 cm region.
Figure 18 FTIR pattern of two samples from green and red paint layer, Baouit encaustic mural painting. The green sample was compared to both a molten bees wax sample and a Punic bees wax sample. The comparison of the ftir charts (Fig.19) proved that the archeological samples were similar to a large extent to the molten con- trolled sample. Some alterations appear in the archeological paint layer profile, but it does not resemble totally and intentionally saponified wax (Punic sample), which means that the pres- ence of small bands related to long chain alco- hols or carboxylates, could be interpreted as a result of natural aging and alteration of wax due to oxidation and water hydrolysis in an ar- id and exposed environment.
Figure 18 FTIR pattern of two samples from green and red paint layer, Baouit encaustic mural painting. The green sample was compared to both a molten bees wax sample and a Punic bees wax sample. The comparison of the ftir charts (Fig.19) proved that the archeological samples were similar to a large extent to the molten con- trolled sample. Some alterations appear in the archeological paint layer profile, but it does not resemble totally and intentionally saponified wax (Punic sample), which means that the pres- ence of small bands related to long chain alco- hols or carboxylates, could be interpreted as a result of natural aging and alteration of wax due to oxidation and water hydrolysis in an ar- id and exposed environment.
Table 3 GC-MS analysis results including Retention time and compounds identified from both control beeswax sample and the archaeological green sample. Figure 21 Comparison between the main component of contemporary beeswax and the archeological sample from Baouit
Table 3 GC-MS analysis results including Retention time and compounds identified from both control beeswax sample and the archaeological green sample. Figure 21 Comparison between the main component of contemporary beeswax and the archeological sample from Baouit
prof.Mona F O U A D Ali
basem gehad
prof.Mona F O U A D Ali

IDENTIFICATION OF THE BYZANTINE ENCAUSTIC MURAL PAINTING IN EGYPT

Abstract:Encaustic painting uncovered in the hermitage of Apa Apollo at Baouit-Assuit, was studied by means of spectroscopic, chromatography as well as elemental x-ray fluorescence, the analysis revealed unique information's about the composition of the organic binding medium, as well as it deformation and alteration pattern. The elemental analysis highlights also the types of pigments used in the artistic palette used by the painter in order to execute his paintings. Beeswax was proved to be used, from bees which feed on sunflower, lead was the major component of the orange pigment indicating the usage of minium, arsenic sulphide mixed with hema-tite was used for the brownish red color, a copper based blue pigment, probably the Egyptian blue as well as the green earth mixed with Attachmate was also used for green colors. The results of the study gives a new information's about a unique paintings executed with a rare technique, in Egypt.

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