الفهرس 
Chapter 1,Only 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Abydos represents one of the most important archaeological areas in Egypt; because of its great prominence in ancient Egypt which comes from its strategic location that lies in Middle Egypt. In addition, it contains several monuments and archaeological sites, especially the temples of Seti I and his son Ramesses II. The both temples are distinguished by their variable mural paintings. However, these mural paintings are recently exposed to different sorts of degradation, which affect negatively their condition and their material components.
Although this area and the both temples have been studied by many authors; this thesis deals with them from another point of view. As it aims at studying the degradation processes which affect the paint layers of the mural paintings. This process is called the photochemical degradation phenomenon. By far, this phenomenon was not obligated to critical investigation in the field of conservation; especially its effects on the inorganic materials. In order to deepen the understanding of this phenomenon and its resulted aspects, the presence of the photochemical parameters in the study area and their effects on its mural paintings have been studied. In addition to performing an experimental study on samples similar in their composition to those of the mural paintings of the study area. The study attempts to figure out the strategy for minimizing their harmful effects. Hence, the study is divided into five chapters; each one includes three topics as follows:
Chapter one deals theoretically with ancient Egyptian mural paintings and the different techniques and procedures used in performing the variable figures on the walls, in addition to the tools used. This chapter also provides, in topic two, the pigments which were commonly used in ancient Egypt and their different physical and chemical properties. Furthermore, it introduces a classification of these pigments according to their color and their origin. This is followed by a focused study of their properties under the polarized microscope, with brief historical examples of their usage in ancient Egypt. Finally, topic three focuses on the common binders used in ancient Egypt which are: plant gums, albumin and glue, as well as their composition, preparation and examples of their usage anciently.
Chapter two presents the study area generally, its location and importance in ancient Egypt. Then a historical and archaeological study about the two temples and their main parts is introduced (the temples of Seti I and Ramesses II). While topic two contains the different techniques which used in performing the mural paintings of the both temples and this was by visual and microscopic examination of some archeological samples. At the end of this chapter a detailed study has been performed on the different materials used in the mural paintings of the temples, especially their paint layers. This has been done through examining and analyzing the collected archeological samples by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) attached to energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and some special computer programs. This is accompanied with a comprehensive discussion of the results, depending upon the theoretical study that has been presented in chapter one. This discussion provides a specific identification of the materials used in the mural paintings.
Chapter three starts with a theoretical study on the photochemical parameters causing this phenomenon; which are: light, moisture, temperature, salts and pollutants. Each parameter is introduced through its definition, sources and additional issues. Topic two provides the presence of the former parameters in Abydos, in addition to their different sources and values. In the final topic the focus will be on the photochemical degradation phenomenon and its different mechanisms, as well as the role of each parameter in these mechanisms. Furthermore, this topic introduces to the degradation of both of the different binders and pigments, and the interaction between the binder and the particles of the pigment. Finally, a review of the resulted aspects of this phenomenon is introduced.
Chapter four represents the experimental study; as it reviews the materials used and the preparation of the experimental samples, depending upon the results of the archaeological samples which have been discussed in chapter two. Moreover, the protocols of the accelerated ageing tests have been established relying on the environmental situation of the study area that has been presented in chapter three. Topic two presents all the results of the examination and analyses of the experimental samples. These results are compared, in topic three, with those of the archaeological ones; in order to capture a fair comprehension of the results of the photochemical degradation phenomenon. This occurred through the observations of: visual examination, optical examination and SEM, as well as the results of XRD and EDS analyses.
Chapter five introduces, in its first topic, to the definition of the preventive conservation and the difficulties facing it. The different procedures which could be followed to minimize the effects of photochemical parameters are the main concern of topic two. Finally, topic three provides the long-term monitoring of these parameters, which allows the observation of any changes that could happen; which in itself may lead to increasing the rates of degradation.