A Method of Extracting Papyri from Cartonnage Author(s): Margot M. Wright Reviewed work(s): Source: Studies in Conservation, Vol.

28, No. 3 (Aug., 1983), pp. 122-126 Published by: International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1506114 . Accessed: 19/12/2012 16:19
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A METHOD

OF EXTRACTING

PAPYRI FROM CARTONNAGE

MargotM. Wright

from of removal papyri (EgypAbstract-The cartonnage the tianmummy by cases) is accomplished facing object after with adhesive, coated a with tissue pressure-sensitive of by the which gessoon theinside theobjectis removed of the After removal the solution. meansof an enzyme tissue with is the of Japanese layers papyrus, object backed The is and thefacing layer removed. objectof thetreatloss without of textwhile the is ment to remove papyri of the appearance the maintaining visualand aesthetic cartonnage. original 1 Introduction

thenbe supportedin such a manneras to preserve the aestheticappearance and formof the original object. 2 Experimental

Cartonnage, a specifictype of Egyptian mummy case, is of archaeological importance,as well as pleasing. It compriseslayers of being aesthetically linenand/or layer papyrusand gesso, the outermost of gesso being painted and, in some cases, partially gilded. When present,cartonnagelies adjacent to the mummy wrappings;small pieces are oftensecured by the outer mummybindings.Cartonnage whichmaybe broadly objects occurin diverseforms classifiedas two-dimensional, e.g. pectorals (chest covers) and 'aprons' (leg covers), or threedimensional,e.g. foot-cases,masks (Figure 1) and body cases. The latter completely envelop the mummy. in The layers of papyrusare of significance that secular or many are re-used documents,literary, demosuchas hieratic, in written scripts theological, tic or Greek. In the past, the extractionof such and documents for papyrologiststo transliterate of has interpret resultedin the destruction the cartonnage [1-8]. In the lightof present knowledge, do Egyptologists not considerthisto be an acceptable practice except when an object is already damaged. greatly Zimmermannand Harrauer [9, 10] have separated the papyrifromcartonnageby adaptingtechof developed forthe conservation niques originally Theirmethodreliesupon theseparawall-paintings. tionof the paintlayerfromthe outersurfaceof the object ratherthan the removal of the papyrifrom the inside; one consequence is that the paint layer splitsleavingsome of the paintedgesso adheringto the papyrus[11]. to it Therefore, appeared desirableto try develop a techniqueto remove the papyriwhile protecting 1 mask cartonnage partof water-damaged the outermostlayer of painted gesso which could Figure Front of courtesy the Petrie (Object UC. 36131, published London).Scalebar:5cm. Museum, College 16 1982 Received July University
122 28 Studiesin Conservation (1983) 122-126

2.1 Analysisofgesso samples of gesso were removedfromboth Initially, linen and papyruscartonnage(unprovenanced)for showed that they were analysis. X-ray diffraction mainly composed of calcium carbonate contaminated withsmall amounts of salts such as calcium sulphate. Kleve, Stormer and Fosse [8] have the confirmed presence of small amountsof silica, magnesium,aluminiumand iron while Lucas [12, and p.4] concluded thatgesso consistedof 'whiting glue'. conmaterial The analyses[13, 14] of thebinding tained in the gesso indicatedthe presence of small proteinand gum-like quantitiesof collagen-derived compounds.The lattermay have derivedfromthe sap of the papyrus[15, 16] but similarcompounds were extracted [13, 14] fromthe gesso of linencarthata substancesuchas gum tonnagewhichsuggests arabic may have been used to cause the layers of linen and/or papyrusto adhere.

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A methodof extracting papyrifromcartonnage

2.2 The facingmaterial i - The experimental apparatus comprised a A seriesof trialswas carriedout to selecta material waterbath withadjustable thermostat which in there was a glass vessel which contained the suitable for facing the cartonnage. From these, Fieux Contact Adhesive Tissue proved to be the enzymesolution.The enzymesolutionwas circulatedbya peristaltic most effectivein terms of ease of use, visual pump.In orderto ensure of that the enzyme solution remains at optimal surmonitoring theexperiment and, in particular, it activity, is best to replace the solution,when face contact. This tissue was developed for lining the bath becomes cloudy,witha freshsolution paintings[17] and consistsof a silicone pressuremaintainedat temperature. is possible that It sensitive adhesivewhichmaybe coated upon differcertainmaterialsin the cartonnagemay poison enttypesof substrate, Japanesetissue,polyester e.g. the enzyme.However, the use of fresh solution tissue. gossamer,non-wovenpolyester may alleviate thisproblem. ii - Each preparedspecimenwas supportedupon a 2.3 Preparation thepaintedsurface of nylon grid which could be held above the brushedto i- The surfaceof the object was gently removeloose dust and dirt. enzymebath and the solutionplayed upon the inner surface (Figure 2) or, alternatively, ii - The paintlayerwas consolidatedbytheapplicait could be immersed and the gesso removedwith tion of several coats of 10% (by weight)Parathe aid of dental tools and by ejecting the loid B-72 (an ethylmethacrylate copolymer)in The period of enzymesolutionfroma syringe. acetone, each coat being allowed to drybefore immersionwas 10-20 minutes during which one. Care was taken applicationofthefollowing time the papyri either floated off or were to ensurethatthepolymer notpenetratethe did 'teased' free. papyruslayers causing them to bind together; loose flakesof paintedgesso were laid in place; iii - The papyri, supported by a nylon net, were removed from the bath, rinsed with distilled areas of exposed papyrus were covered with powdered talc to preventthe Fieux tissuefrom directly adheringto them. ~pT iii - Fieux Japanesetissueor polyester gossamerwas and contactestabapplied to thepaintedsurface lished by gently tampingthe whole area witha soft but firmbrush. The tissue was lightly sprayed withwhite spiritto enhance adhesion and thenleftfor72 hours. 2.4 Methodof extracting layersofpapyrus the The resultsof the analyses [13, 14] of the gesso suggested the presence of small amounts of proteinaceous adhesive and it appeared advantageous to break down the adhesive by means of a nonspecific enzyme.Enzymeshave been used in paper conservation some years[5, 7, 18-23] as well as for in the conservation paintings of [24-26] but it was Wendelbo who pioneeredtheir use to extract papyri [1-7]. The utmost care must be exercised when workingwithenzymesas theycan be a hazard to health if mishandled, causing ailments such as asthma[27, 28]. Segal and Cooper [21], with referenceto the removal of old repairsin paper conservation, utilized a non-specific whichcomprised enzymesystem to (byweight)SigmaProteaseV buffered pH 0.01% at 37-40?C as describedbelow. This system 7.2-7.4 was used to attacktheproteinaceous adhesivein the gesso to minimisethe period of immersionof the cartonnagein the enzymebath. However, in practice,it was foundthat the pH could be maintained onlybythe additionof 1N (4% w/v)sodiumhydrox- Figure2 Faced cartonnage positionabove enzymebath in ide. beforeremovalof theinterior layerof gesso.
Studiesin Conservation (1983) 122-126 28 123

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MargotM. Wright

water,and thenexcess waterwas removedwith filter paper. Any remaining gesso was removed the by sandwiching papyribetween two layers of nylon netting, placing the whole upon an with inclinedglass plate, and then by spraying a distilled water(finely dispersed)from pressurized container.The papyriwere allowed to dry betweensheetsof filter paper underslight pressure to preventcurling. iv - The object, now comprising layer of painted a gesso faced with the Fieux Contact Adhesive Tissue, was removed from the enzyme bath immediately after the papyri had been waterand detached. It was rinsedwithdistilled excess moisturewas absorbed by filter paper and thenit was allowed to dryslowlyuntilonly damp. slightly 2.5 Methodof backing It was decided that,because of its extensiveuse in paper conservationand its relative compatibility withpapyrus, Japanesetissuewouldbe a usefulsupfor portmaterial thelayerofpaintedgesso; and that ricestarch wouldbe paste,whichis easilyreversible, used to attachthetissue.The choice of adhesivewas dictatedby the incompatibility its solventsystem of with that of the consolidant applied to the paint layerand withthatof the siliconepressure-sensitive adhesive. 3 of i -The gesso layer was coated with rice starch Figure Backedcartonnage removal its Fieux after that paste and a dampened layer of a fine,easily ContactAdhesive Tissuefacing,demonstrating no loss had occurred. manipulated Japanese tissue, Tonosawa laid ofpigment paper, was placed next to the layer of gesso. This was gently manoeuvred untiltherewereno (Figure3). The methodis long and somewhatintriair bubbles presentand therewas completeand cate because of the natureof the cartonnage, which continuous contact between the tissue and in itself veryfragile. is There are manyexamplesof due to lack ofpropersupport and which, gesso. cartonnage ii - A second layerof a coarser,morerobustJapan- storage,show evidence of collapse and loss of the ese tissue, Tengujo hand-made paper, was outer layer of gesso as well as being weakened by ancientand modern. attachedin a similarway to the Tonosawa tis- insectinfestation, sue. The tissuesand paste were allowed to dry. This method has been developed using small pieces of cartonnage, the maximum size being 2.6 The removalof thefacinglayer 5cm by 6cm. The major task was to approximately whichenabled the papyrito i- The backed object, fullydry,was exposed to findan efficient system be removedwithout of textand whichpreserved loss whitespirit vapour forabout 30 minutes. ii - A finebrushwas used to liftoffone cornerof the layerof paintedgesso without loss. It should be the Fieux Contact Adhesive Tissue and the possiblefurther develop thetechniqueto separate to remainder the facingtissuewas gently of eased larger areas and, using support techniques to offthepaintedsurfacewitha brushwettedwith developed in the fieldof conservation, remove white spirit.Any remaininggummyadhesive papyri from cartonnage of more complex form. to was rolledoff adhering thepaintedsurface by Fieux ContactAdhesiveTissue would appear to be a the brush. of usefultool withthe possibility widerapplication in conservation. 3 Conclusion Finally,a few words of caution: the puristmay of believe that the extraction papyrifromcartonWhenthefacinglayerhad been removed,no loss of nage is ethically unacceptable but this must be paint fromthe surfaceof the object was observed weighed against the value of the documents
124 Studiesin Conservation (1983) 122-126 28

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A method extracting from papyri of cartonnage extracted,which is almost always unknown until Furththeyhave been studiedby the papyrologist. ermore,the fact thatlittlein-depthstudyhas been made of cartonnage its preservasupports continued tion ratherthan its destruction. Althoughthe vast majorityof cartonnageobjects are in need of conthis in servation, processmight, manycases, conceal evidence or contaminate, and renderinvalid,samples removedforscientific investigation. Acknowledgements I would like to thankMr R. Whiteof the National Gallery for analysingthe bindingmaterial in the the gesso,Mr RobertE. Fieux forproviding samples of Fieux ContactAdhesive Tissue and Professor H. S. Smithfor allowingme to work withsamples of cartonnagefromthe Petrie Collection, University College London. I would also like to thankMiss E. M. Pye and Dr N. J. Seeley of the Departmentof and MaterialsScience, ArchaeologicalConservation of of for University London Institute Archaeology, readingthismanuscript. a based on an enzymatic tonnage: new method Conference of approach'in 14th International 24-31 July Oxford, Papyrology, 1974, Proceed-

TURNER, Graeco-Roman Memoirs 61, pubno. lishedfor The British Academyby the Egypt London(1975) 337-340. Exploration Society, 2 WENDELBO, 'The freeing papyri of from 0., carton3 WENDELBO, 'The removal papyrus of from 0., gesso
2 nage', Restaurator (1975) 41-52. withsome remarks theseparationof on cartonnage glued papyri', Symbolae Osloenses 50 (1975) 155-157. FLOOD, P. F., and WENDELBO,0., 'The enzymatic extraction papyrifromcartonnage', of Restaurator

ings, ed. by P. J. PARSONS, R. REA and E. G. J.

0., 5 WENDELBO, The Use ofProteolytic Enzymesin the Libof Restoration Paper and Papyrus,University raryof Bergen (1976). 6 RIEDERER, J., 'Die Auflosungvon Mumienkarton13 Kulturbesitz (1976) age', Jahrbuch PreuJfischer 99-101.

2 (1975) 53-59.

7 WENDELBO, 'Theenzymatic the 0., scalpel--on useof

Technical data 8 Fieux Contact Adhesive Tissue: Fieux Restoration WestBarnstable, Inc., Laboratory 263 CedarStreet, MA 02668,USA. 9 Paraloid B-72: Rohm Haas (UK) Ltd,Lennig & House,2 Mason'sAvenue, CR9 3NB,UK. Croydon Protease P5005 TypeV (nowreplaced Protease Sigma by P5147 which approximately times activ- 10 has four the ityof P5005): SigmaLondon ChemicalCo. Ltd, Road,Poole,DorsetBH17 7NH,UK. Fancy Buffer solution compounds 'analargrade'): (all sodium dihydrogen orthophosphate (m.w. 156), of 1.22gperlitre distilled water; NaH2PO,.2H20, disodiumhydrogen orthophosphate (m.w. 142), 11 of water; Na2HPO,,1.73gperlitre distilled sodium of hydroxide (m.w.40), NaOH, 40gperlitre distilled water; British Road, Chad- 12 DrugHouses Ltd,Freshwater wellHeath,Dagenham, EssexRM8 1RZ, UK. Peristar Peristaltic Pump:Jencons (Scientific) Mark Ltd, 13 UK. Road,HemelHempstead, Herts, Humbrol Gun: Humbrol Consumer Products Spray DivisionofBorden Hull (UK) Ltd,Marfleet, HU9 5NE, UK. Rice starch with four 14 paste:mixone partof ricestarch distilled water a until smooth parts pasteis formed. Cookpasteindouble until boiler, stirring, itbubbles. Cool and use. Starch (Rice GPR): BDH Chemicals 15 Poole BH12 4NN, Ltd, Broom Road, Parkstone, UK. dark toned laid,H1MJ 16 Japanese (H34JTonosawa papers: Falkiner FinePapers Ltd,117 Tengujo hand-made): LongAcre,LondonWC2E 9PA,UK. References of 1 WENDELBO, 'Extraction papyri from 0., gessocarStudiesin Conservation (1983) 122-126 28

of proteolytic enzymesin the restoration paper and papyrus'in Researchin Norway1977, ed. by M. S. MORTENSEN, NorwegianResearch Council forScience and the Humanities,Oslo (1977) 9-15. F. FOSSE, B., STORMER, C., and KLEVE,K. 'An easy and cheap methodof removing from papyrus gesso cartonnage',Symbolae Osloenses 56 (1981) 173179. ZIMMERMANN, and HARRAUER, 'Das Ablisen A., H., der Malerei von Mumienkartonage', Maltechnik 4 (1979) 315-319. STOHLER-ZIMMERMANN, 'Das Abloesen der A., Malerei von Mumienkartonagen' 16th Internain tional Congressof Papyrology, Columbia University,24-31 July1980, Proceedings,ed. by R. S. G. A. and L. BAGNALL, M. BROWNE, E. HANSON AmericanStudiesin Papyrology, KOENEN, Vol. 23, ScholarsPress,Chico, California(1981) 665-676. MAEHLER, H., 'A new method of dismounting papyrus cartonnage',Bulletin of the Institute of Classical Studies 27 (1980) 120-122. Materials and Industries, LUCAS, Ancient A., Egyptian 4th ed. revised and enlarged by J. R. HARRIS,

MILLS, J., and WHITE, R., 'Organic analysis in the arts: some further paint medium analyses', National Gallery TechnicalBulletin2 (1978) 7176. MILLS, J., and WHITE, R., 'Organic massof spectrometry art materials:work in progress', NationalGalleryTechnicalBulletin 6(1982) 3-18. REYNOLDS, T., 'Adhesive substances in Cyperus and Industry17 (1967) papyrus L.', Chemistry 704-705. HEPPER,F. N., and REYNOLDS, 'Papyrus and the T., adhesive propertiesof its cell sap in relation to J. paper-making', Egyptian Archaeology53 (1967) 156-157. 17 FIEUX,R. E., 'Electrostatic hold: a new techniqueof lining'in ICOM Committeefor Conservation5th 125

Edward Arnold Ltd,London(1962).

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MargotM. Wright

restoring procedureapplied on paper',Restaurator 1 (1970) 245-247. 19 WENDELBO, 'The use of enzymesforrestoration 0., purposes',Archiveset Bibliothtquesde Belgique: num(ro special 12 (1974) 235-241. 20 HATrON,M., 'Enzymes in a viscous medium', The 2 Paper Conservator (1977) 9. 21 SEGAL,J., and COOPER,D., 'The use of enzymesto release adhesives', The Paper Conservator 2 22

Triennial Zagreb, 1-8 October1978, 27 FLINDT,M., 'Healthand safety Meeting, aspectsof working ICOM, Paris(1978) 78/2/7/1-10. with enzymes',Process Biochemistry Preprints, 13/8 (1978) 18 WENDELBO, andFOSSE, 'Protein A 0., B., "surgery". 3-7.
28 FLINDT,M. L. H., 'Health care of people at work. diseases from J. Respiratory biologicalsubstances', Societyof OccupationalMedicine 29 (1979) 152154.

23

24 25

26

MARGOT M. WRIGHT, postgraduate studentresearching papyrusand cartonnagein the Departmentof Conservationand MaterialsScience,University London Institute of ofArchaeology. BSc in Food Science,University Strathof 47-50. (1977) clyde,and BA in ArchaeologicalConservation, University D. H. GRATTAN, W., ST HILAIRE,J., BURGESS, D., worked and MCCAWLEY,J. C., 'The characterisation of of London Instituteof Archaeology; formerly and in enzymesforuse in paper conservation' Interna- upon analysisof foodstuffs new productdevelopment tional Conference theConservation Library in the food industry.Author's address: Instituteof on of 31-34 GordonSquare, London WC1H OPY, and ArchiveMaterials and The GraphicArts, Archaeology, UK. and Cambridge,21-26 September1980, Abstracts ed. Preprints, by G. PETHERBRIDGE, The Societyof Archivists and The Instituteof Paper Conserva- R6sum6---La depose des papyrus provenantde cartontion,London (1980) 6-13. de s'effectue en nages(sarcophages momies 6gyptiennes) i un d'un sensible la presCOOPER,D., KING, C., and SEGAL,J., 'The use of applicant tissu impr6gn6 adh6sif de enzymesin partially non-aqueous media' in Inter- sion; le gesso de l'interieur l'objet est ensuiteenlev6par national Conferenceon the Conservationof Lib- une solution d'enzyme. Apris la d6pose des couches de I'objet est doubl6 d'une feuillede papierJaponet raryand ArchiveMaterialsand The GraphicArts, papyrus, and la couche appliqu6e en surfaceest enlev6e. L'objectifdu Cambridge,21-26 September1980,Abstracts est les sans le ed. et Preprints, by G. PETHERBRIDGE, The Societyof traitement d'enlever papyrus perdre texte Archivists and The Instituteof Paper Conserva- en gardantau cartonnage son apparenceesth6tique tion,London (1980) 14-19. originale. MAKES, F., Enzymatic Consolidation of Paintings, of University GoteborgDepartmentof Historyof Auszug--Die Entfernungvon Papyri von Kartonnage Art and Architecture (1979). (agyptischeMumienhiillen)wird durch Bedeckung des of MAKES,F., 'Enzymaticconsolidation paintings'in Objektes mit einem mit Selbstkleber beschichteten ICOM CommitteeforConservation6th Triennial Gewebe bewerkstelligt, wonach die Mischungaus GipsMeeting, Ottawa, 21-25 September 1981, Pre- mortel und Klebstoff der Innenseitedes Objektes mitauf prints,ICOM, Paris (1981) 81/2/7/1-7. tels einer Enzymlosungentfernt wird. Nach Entfernung MAKES,F., 'Enzymaticconsolidationof a painting: der Papyrusschichten wird das Objekt mit Japangewebe seventeenth century landscapefromSkoklosterhinterlegt, und die Deckschichtwird entfernt. Ziel der Palace' in Scienceand Technology theServiceof Behandlungistdie Entfernung Papyriohne Texturverin der and G. lust unter Erhaltung des visuellen und Asthetischen Conservation,ed. by N. S. BROMMELLE THOMSON, IIC, London (1982) 135-138. Aussehens der Originalkartonnage.

126

Studiesin Conservation (1983) 122-126 28

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