Mexican mural experts aid Egyptian tomb restoration

Archaeologists and restoration specialists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) have added their expertise to the conservation of Theban Tomb 39, in Luxor, Egypt, helping to return fragments of reliefs to their correct location to aid further understanding of a funerary complex that functioned as a place of pilgrimage for over three thousand years.

Mexican Mission in Theban Tomb 39, Luxor, Egypt. Image: INAH

A long process

The Mexican mission led by Egyptologist Gabriela Arrache involved specialists from the Mexican Society of Egyptology, University of the Valley of Mexico and the INAH, who began their collaboration in the winter of 2012 at the Valley of the Nobles, where the mortuary monument is located  for Pui-Em-Ra, the second priest of the god Amon-Ra.

This funerary complex, dating from the middle of the Eighteenth Dynasty (1466-1412 BCE ) measures approximately 18 by 18 metres in plan and is exceptional because its three chambers were excavated deep into the limestone rock and connected by a corridor.

Several seasons of fieldwork were required to remove thousands of tons of rubble from the area around the buried monument, and included the relocation of some houses that had been built over the tomb.

The archaeologists realised that what had previously been thought of as a courtyard to the tomb was an esplanade projecting from the front to the road that leads to the Temple of Hatshepsut; the largest monument at Deir el Bahari. This esplanade becomes part of an area of ​​pilgrimage which served for civil and religious ceremonies for 3,400 years.

Exterior esplanade and entrance to Tomb 39. Image: INAH

Retelling a story

From late October to early December 2012, while archaeologists worked together outside, restorers began the reassembly and conservation of reliefs inside the chambers.

200 fragments have been reintegrated into a frieze that chronicles the life and work of Pui-Em-Ra, a priest who also served Thutmose III (1479-1425 BC), the successor to the Pharaoh Queen HatShepSut, and whom many consider one of the greatest kings of ancient Egypt.

The specialists highlighted the quality of the reliefs and paintings of the Theban tomb. Unlike the tombs of the Pharaohs who have a flattened gypsum coating for the reliefs, these were carved directly into the rock, and an organic material was then used to bind the pigments to the wall surface.

From knowledge derived from the working on Mesoamerican murals, which had been adversely affected by synthetic polymers used as adhesives, Mexican conservators opted for techniques that excluded its use.

Patricia Meehan, the CNCPC expert restorer explained that, “For example, for the pictographic layers  we used a cellulose derivative, which does not form an impermeable film and will not degrade to produce more damage. We have also use lime mortar derivatives, which is compatible with the limestone of the monument .”

Restoration of the relief fragments. Image: INAH

A completed wall after restoration and refitting the relief fragments. Image: INAH

A curse and a  blessing

With at least a thousand further fragments of reliefs remaining  packed in stores, this is a long term commitment. However, as the jigsaw of pieces is reassembled, the story written in the hieroglyphs emerges, piece by piece, including a curse that protects the grave.

The restorers were amused to find that a section of the relief read; “Everyone who enters to disturb the sleep of the dead will be devoured by crocodiles,” but “all who come to this tomb to lift the name of Pui- Em-Ra, and care will bring grave offerings, will be well known in his village. ”

The restorers hope that they will be remembered as ones who cared for the tomb. Thanks to the specialist help of these Mexican conservators and archaeologists, the monument will be open to the public in 2016.

Source: The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH)

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