Study on the Conservation and Restoration of Mural Painting Fragments in a Rock-cut Tomb at Luxor (Egypt)
The Japan Center for International Cooperation in Cultural Heritage is conducting a joint research project on the conservation and restoration of mural paintings in a rock-cut tomb located in the Al-Khokha area on the west bank of Luxor. This project is being carried out in cooperation with the Waseda University Institute of Egyptology and the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities. The wall paintings under study were discovered in 2013 by Professor Emeritus Jiro Kondo in the tomb of Khonsuemheb and are estimated to date back to around 1200 BCE, during the New Kingdom period.
This mural painting is painted on a wall made of mud plaster applied to the surface of limestone. Previous research had focused on developing methods for cleaning surface dirt and identifying suitable restoration materials and techniques for areas where the plaster has detached or fallen off. In our field research conducted from November 20 to December 5, 2024, we examined methods for reattaching wall painting fragments discovered during excavation to their original positions. As a result, we achieved positive outcomes regarding the reinforcement of the wall substrate and protection of the painting’s surface. Furthermore, we were able to confirm certain successes in the reinstallation process, using materials similar to the original ones, such as mud and clay, to return the fragments to their original locations. Moving forward, we will continue to monitor the effectiveness and stability of the treatments applied and observe their long-term outcomes.
This research has been carefully advanced through a process that involved foundational studies, a series of experiments, and the development of treatment methods with practical considerations in mind. The results are unprecedented in Luxor and have been highly praised by the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities and local experts. Moving forward, we will continue to promote research that contributes to the conservation and restoration of the numerous wall paintings created during the New Kingdom period, aiming for further achievements in this field.