Analytical Study and Conservation Plan of Akhmerutnisut’s Tomb at Western Cemetery, Giza Plateau, Egypt

Abstract:

The tomb of Akhmerutnisut represents an important example of the tombs of high officials, reflecting religious, political, social, architectural and artistic aspects of the Old Kingdom of ancient Egypt. In December 2023, the Mastaba of Akhmerutnisut Documentation Project (MAD-P) started its first season to study, document and evaluate the stability and conservation state of Akhmerutnisut’s tomb. Visual examination revealed that the limestone structure of the tomb has been compromised by multiple deterioration agents, resulting in various forms of damage including weakening, granular disintegration, flaking, scaling, cracking, fracturing, salt crystallization, soiling, loss of material and partial collapse. In the current paper, an analytical study of the limestone structure of Akhmerutnisut’s tomb was carried out to understand the composition and condition of its building materials (limestone and mortar). Effective diagnostic tools were utilized, including polarizing light microscope, X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope and EDX unit. The results of the field observation and analytical work clarified the poor state of preservation of the studied tomb, which requires rapid conservation interventions. Based on the obtained data, a suitable conservation plan was proposed to preserve and reconstruct the studied tomb.

• Periodical: International Journal of Engineering Research in Africa (Volume 79)
• Pages: 155-174
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-74MaY5
• Online since: June 2026
• Authors: Yasser Kamal Hefni*, Mohamed Youssef Sedek, Inês Torres
• Keywords: Akhmerutnisut, Analytical Study, Conservation Plan, Consolidation, Reconstruction, Western Cemetery

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