Stone deterioration and conservation of the ancient Egyptian tomb of Neferhotep (TT 49) in Thebes (Egypt)

As part of an international research and conservation project at the ancient Egyptian tomb of Neferhotep (TT 49) from the 18(th) dynasty (1325 BC) in Thebes, stone deterioration is being surveyed and conservation is undertaken. This tomb is richly decorated with wall paintings, coloured bas relieves, and stone sculptures. Severe damage has been revealed: In particular the structural disintegration of the rock masses, that is a result of a clearly pronounced cataclastic overprint, has been a major structural problem since the tomb's origin. Deterioration phenomena are explained, such as structural damages, the extreme salt contamination in certain areas, and the deterioration of the surface of the stone. Furthermore specific material data of the natural stone are collected, for the clarification of deterioration phenomena and mechanisms as well as the development of conservation treatments. Therefore investigations are undertaken to gather mineralogical, structural, and petrological characteristics of the limestone. The discussion about the causes of damage and deterioration mechanisms reveals correlations between the findings of the survey and the investigations of the tomb, and anthropological, climatological, and petrographical influencing factors. From this discussion conclusions can be drawn leading to the formation of a conservation concept. The pronounced structural disintegration of the entire tomb has to be dealt with. Primarily the complete structure needs to be stabilized and then the surface should be treated. A climate monitoring is of crucial importance for the long-term preservation of the tomb with particular regard to it being made open to the public.