Weathering and degradation risk assessment of Nubian sandstone roofs of buildings in Medinat Habu

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Heritage science, Aboukir Higher Institute for Restoration of Antiquities and Art Collections, Alexandria, Egypt.

Abstract

The Temple of Medinat Habu is distinguished by its record of the Pharaonic military life, so it is considered one of the important heritage sites that must be preserved and protected from environmental factors and climate changes. Given the limited studies conducted on the deterioration of temple roofs, in this study we attempt to assess the state of deterioration of the Nubian sandstone that forms the roofs of the buildings of Medinat Habu, monitor the manifestations of deterioration and discuss the factors of deterioration. The study relied on the analytical approach in studying the physical factors of erosion, as well as studying environmental changes using fluorescence and X-ray diffraction. Scientific conclusions were obtained for the factors of damage causing the deterioration of building roofs, including erosion, rain and clay minerals accompanying rain. The study also recommended the necessity of working on creating environmental materials with self-cleaning and water-repellent properties to protect heritage buildings.

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