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In Honor of Prof. Liritzis Ioannis: Essays in Archaeology & Archaeometry and the Hellenic Contribution to Egyptology

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A special issue of Heritage (ISSN 2571-9408).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2021) | Viewed by 40264

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Prof. Dr. Grigorios Tsokas

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Guest Editor

Laboratory of Exploration Geophysics, School of Geology, Aristotle University f Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: development of archaeological prospection data acquisition; mediterranean geoarchaeology; processing and interpretation techniques; potential fields theory and practice and complex attributes analysis in archaeological exploration geophysics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Nikolaos Lazaridis

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Guest Editor

Department of History, College of Arts & Letters, Sacramento, CA 95819, USA
Interests: ancient Egypt; ancient Greece; ancient Near East; ancient languages; ancient literature; egyptology; fieldwork

Prof. Dr. Omar Abdel-Kareem

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Guest Editor

Professor of Antiquities Conservation, Conservation Dept., Faculty of Archaeology, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
Interests: analysis and conservation of archaeological and culture heritage objects; conservation sciences; restoration of material culture; textiles; organic; inorganic materials; cultural management

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are delighted to invite you to contribute to a Special Issue of HERITAGE, an Open Access multidisciplinary peer-reviewed journal published bi-annually by MDPI.

The title of this Special Issue is Essays in Archaeology & Archaeometry and the Hellenic Contribution to Egyptology and it is to honor Professor Ioannis Liritzis in the occasion of his retirement from the University of the Aegean and his major support of Egyptology in Greece and internationally. The interdisciplinary field of Heritage culture, archaeology, history of art, coupled with natural sciences is undoubtedly a breakthrough in the advancement of cultural heritage studies. Regional development of heritage studies becomes of particular interest for SE Mediterranean and with focus in Egypt which is rich in novel results coming from these disciplines which converge to the higher level of knowledge from prehistory to historical times.

Topics of interest include all Cultural Heritage and Archaeology subjects including conservation focused in Egypt and SE Mediterranean, such as:

Field archaeology-Surveys
Historical & archaeological studies of material culture
Historical interactions with Greece, Egypt and the E.Mediterranean
Archaeometry
Archaeoastronomy
Geoarchaeology and geosciences
Digital archaeology
Paleoanthropology
Conservation & restoration of antiquities
Environmental archaeology and palaeoclimates
Marine archaeology and preservation of marine objects

Articles are encouraged to get submitted within the period of 1^st June to 30^th August 2021.

We anticipate that this volume will make a significant contribution to the field.

Please do not hesitate to contact us.

Prof. Dr. Grigorios Tsokas
Prof. Dr. Nikolaos Lazaridis
Prof. Dr. Omar Abdel-Kareem
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Heritage is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Editorial

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7 pages, 235 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Essays in Archaeology and Archaeometry and the Hellenic Contribution to Egyptology

by Nikolaos Lazaridis, Omar Abdel-Kareem and Grigorios Tsokas

Heritage 2022, 5(1), 402-408; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage5010023 - 22 Feb 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1968

Abstract

The contemporary trend of research projects and works are presented on selective issues of archaeometry, archaeology and Egyptology. The current status in research in the area of SE Mediterranean on cultural heritage and archaeological/historical reflections alone and/or coupled with archaeological sciences of eleven papers are placed within an updated frame. The results concern a variety of selected topics critically presented. The topics touch on the cultural astronomy, the ancient textiles and masonries and the physico-chemical and biological investigations, the socio-political issues of Egyptian Ramesside era, revisiting the inscription of an Egyptian statuette, and the valuable information extracted from rock graffiti in north Kharga, Egypt. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue In Honor of Prof. Liritzis Ioannis: Essays in Archaeology & Archaeometry and the Hellenic Contribution to Egyptology)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

9 pages, 2287 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Investigation on a Coptic Embroidered Panel from the 13th Century “Crucifixion with the Twelve Apostles” (Benaki Museum, Athens)

by Lila de Chaves

Heritage 2021, 4(4), 4335-4343; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage4040239 - 13 Nov 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2500

Abstract

The “Crucifixion with the twelve Apostles”, a unique Coptic embroidered panel, was on display at the Benaki Museum (Athens, Greece). The representation of the “Crucifixion” with Christ in the center and six Apostles on either side, standing next to each other in frontal poses, is quite a rare one. This rare iconographic image of the twelve Apostles could be linked to the Ascension or the Pentecost. This unique representation of the Crucifixion with the twelve Apostles, which also involves the Ascension, is a one-of-a-kind compositional formula representing Christ’s Death as a triumph over Death, emphasizing, along with the other factors, its non-Chalcedonic origin. Moreover, the interpretation of an inscription, written in at least three languages embroidered in black silk thread, is a matter which confuses the issue even more. In the present study, we will attempt a comprehensive investigation, a detailed description, and interpretation of this rare iconography, based on written and iconographic evidence traced in the history of art heritage objects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue In Honor of Prof. Liritzis Ioannis: Essays in Archaeology & Archaeometry and the Hellenic Contribution to Egyptology)

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12 pages, 3114 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Monitoring Coptic Masonry Affected by Clay Minerals and Microorganisms at the Church of Virgin Mary, Wadi El-Natrun (Egypt)

by Abubakr Moussa and Mahmoud Roshdy

Heritage 2021, 4(4), 4056-4067; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage4040223 - 29 Oct 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1549

Abstract

This paper focuses on the role played by the clay minerals and microorganisms in the deterioration process of Coptic architecture units at the church of Virgin Mary, Wadi El-Natrun region. For this purpose building materials (mainly mortars and plasters) from the studied church were examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS); in order to identify their composition and were investigated petro-graphically to determine the real response of the masonry structure to the deformation imposed at the endogenous factors. Wall gypsum mortars in the church contain halloysite as a dominant clay mineral while plaster is clay free; concerning microorganisms, the fungal flora Aspergillus glaucus represent the most dominant fungi constituting (22.22%), Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus occhraceus, and Aspergillus caudidus were also isolated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue In Honor of Prof. Liritzis Ioannis: Essays in Archaeology & Archaeometry and the Hellenic Contribution to Egyptology)

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11 pages, 265 KiB

Open AccessArticle

On Borders and Expansion: Egyptian Imperialism in the Levant during the Ramesside Period

by Georgia Xekalaki

Heritage 2021, 4(4), 3938-3948; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage4040216 - 25 Oct 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4494

Abstract

This paper aims to define the way Egyptians perceived the boundaries of their land and reassesses the impact of Egyptian colonialism during the Ramesside period (c. 1292–1069 BCE). During this era, expansive wars, diplomatic action and land administration/governance reforms led Egypt to control a large part of modern Israel, Palestine, Lebanon and Syria. To refer to this period, historians often use the terms Egyptian “empire” and Egyptian “imperialism”, extending terminology coined in the 19th century to describe modern cases of political dominance to Late Bronze Age Egypt. Furthermore, traditional scholarship also presents Egypt’s borders in such a way that Egypt appears as a solid territory with fixed borders, despite evidence pointing to a different model of geographical division. Seeking to explore whether the use of modern terms on ancient Egypt may be an anachronism, this paper reviews the scholarship on (a) Egyptian records documenting conquests and (b) contextual archaeological evidence from the southern Near East itself. This review highlights differences between modern and ancient conceptions of land domination. Finally, Egyptian border-related terms are used in a strictly local symbolic cultural context but not in the one of international diplomacy. As for Egypt’s boundary, it was mostly formed as a buffer zone rather than a borderline. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue In Honor of Prof. Liritzis Ioannis: Essays in Archaeology & Archaeometry and the Hellenic Contribution to Egyptology)

31 pages, 19719 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Antikythera Mechanism: The Prove of the Accuracy of the Astronomical Calculations Based on It

by Kyriakos Efstathiou, Marianna Efstathiou, Alexandros Basiakoulis and Neofytos Kokkinos

Heritage 2021, 4(4), 3848-3878; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage4040211 - 21 Oct 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 9296

Abstract

The Antikythera Mechanism is the oldest extant complex geared device, an amazing analogue computer. It was built approximately 2150 years ago. The device was operated manually by a user, setting a date in a dial. All necessary calculations were made using a set of gears (at least 39), while the results were displayed on several scientific scales. The Mechanism was used to calculate astronomical phenomena, such as solar and lunar eclipses. After an extensive description of the Mechanism, the main objective of the following paragraphs is to demonstrate the accuracy of its predictions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue In Honor of Prof. Liritzis Ioannis: Essays in Archaeology & Archaeometry and the Hellenic Contribution to Egyptology)

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7 pages, 2682 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Short Note on the Knossos Statuette Inscription

by Len Gleeson

Heritage 2021, 4(4), 3186-3192; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage4040178 - 08 Oct 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1289

Abstract

For the inscription of the Egyptian statuette in the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, the dedicator’s second title has long been open to question. New and detailed physical evidence, based on optical profilometry, is presented here. The results show errors/omissions in the previously accepted reading [...] Read more.

(This article belongs to the Special Issue In Honor of Prof. Liritzis Ioannis: Essays in Archaeology & Archaeometry and the Hellenic Contribution to Egyptology)

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10 pages, 18814 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identification of Dyes in Coptic Textiles from the Museum of Faculty of Archaeology, Cairo University

by Ioannis Karapanagiotis, Omar Abdel-Kareem, Paraskevi Kamaterou and Dimitrios Mantzouris

Heritage 2021, 4(4), 3147-3156; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage4040176 - 07 Oct 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2324

Abstract

High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to a Diode-Array-Detector (HPLC-DAD) is used to investigate samples which were extracted from ancient Egyptian textiles (4th–5th c. AD) of the Museum of Faculty of Archaeology, Cairo University. Madder is identified in several samples. According to semi-quantitative results, which are obtained from HPLC peak areas measured at 254 nm, madder that is rich in purpurin and poor in alizarin is identified in samples which were treated (i) only with madder and (ii) with madder and either indigo/woad (Indigofera species and other/Isatis tinctoria L.) or weld (Reseda luteola L.). The madder dye used in these samples could have been originated from Rubia peregrina L. However, the possible use of Rubia tinctorum L. (or other plants of the Rubiaceae family) by the Egyptian dyers cannot be ruled out, particularly if methods were developed by the ancient dyers to affect and control the relative composition of madder dye. The HPLC peak area ratio of alizarin versus purpurin is very high (>2.2) for samples which were treated with madder (probably originated from R. tinctorum) and a tannin source. Finally, in some samples, only indigoid dyes (indigo/woad) are identified. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue In Honor of Prof. Liritzis Ioannis: Essays in Archaeology & Archaeometry and the Hellenic Contribution to Egyptology)

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29 pages, 16240 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multi-Leaf Stone Masonry Walls in Egypt: A Legend

by Osama Amer, Danila Aita, Ezzeldin k. Mohamed, Akram Torky and Ashraf Shawky

Heritage 2021, 4(4), 2763-2791; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage4040156 - 28 Sep 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4263

Abstract

Multi-leaf stone masonry walls are a typical construction technique in architectural heritage in Egypt. The assessment, modeling, and strengthening of historic masonry walls of multi-leaf systems essentially require suitable knowledge of their construction technology, typology, geometrical characteristics, and the properties of their components. Within the current research project, a comprehensive structural survey of multiple-leaf walls of medieval historic buildings in Cairo was performed. The observation and statistical analyses allowed characterization of the transversal section of the surveyed walls, as well as examination and identification of the construction materials and techniques. The slenderness ratios of this type of wall, its blocks’ dimensions, the utilized connectivity between the inner and outer leaves, and leaves ratio were also investigated. Three construction hypotheses of multiple-leaf stone masonry walls are presented considering weak, thick, and monolithic core infill layers. The study’s objectives were to enlarge the knowledge of typology, morphology, and construction materials used in three-leaf masonry walls and provide a proper characterization as a prerequisite for determining the most suitable materials and techniques for further strengthening interventions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue In Honor of Prof. Liritzis Ioannis: Essays in Archaeology & Archaeometry and the Hellenic Contribution to Egyptology)

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13 pages, 3298 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Inhibition Study by Nanomaterial, Plant Extract and Chemical Microcide on the Screaming Mummy in Egyptian Museum Store

by Sahar Ismael, Ali Omar and Manal Maher

Heritage 2021, 4(3), 2481-2493; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage4030140 - 16 Sep 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2084

Abstract

Mummies in museums are exposed to different deterioration factors like microorganisms, especially unwrapped mummies, such as the screaming mummy. This screaming mummy in the store of the Egyptian museum is suffering from stains due to microbial infection. There are three trends of materials to inhibit microbial growth: nano materials, plant extraction and chemical materials. This research compares three materials representing the three trends such as nano zinc oxide (ZnO-NPs), Ceratophyllum demersum and 4-chloro-m-cresol, respectively. Microorganisms, isolated from the degraded mummy, were identified with an optical microscope and ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) analysis to guarantee identification accuracy. Results indicated that the bacteria in the mummy are Bacillus jeotgali, Kocuria turfanensis, Microbacterium imperial, Micrococcus luteus and Bacillus megaterium. Fungi are Monascus pallens and Rhizopus oryzae. The results of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) illustrated that the best concentrations for the bio treatment of isolated microorganisms is plant extract (Ceratophyllum demersum) at 600 ppm/100 mL, followed by 4-chloro-m-cresol at 600 ppm/100 mL and finally nano zinc oxide at 700 ppm/100 mL. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue In Honor of Prof. Liritzis Ioannis: Essays in Archaeology & Archaeometry and the Hellenic Contribution to Egyptology)

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27 pages, 13867 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Investigations and Microstructural Characterization of Construction Materials of Historic Multi-Leaf Stone-Masonry Walls

by Osama Amer, Danila Aita, Ezzeldin K. Mohamed, Akram Torky and Ashraf Shawky

Heritage 2021, 4(3), 2390-2415; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage4030135 - 14 Sep 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2576

Abstract

In order to correctly define the pathology of multiple-leaf stonemasonry walls and determine the appropriate interventions for its conservation and preservation, comprehensive studies on its building materials should be carried out since the overall behaviour of masonry structures is highly dependent on the characterization of its construction materials. Consequently, an interdisciplinary procedure for construction material characterization used in multiple-leaf stone-masonry walls in Egypt has been implemented to enrich documentation, conservation and restoration issues of this type of wall. The research methodology integrates experimental data obtained through on-site sampling, conducted tests and analyses, historical information, and field survey observations. The fundamental physical and mechanical properties of the masonry elements were examined by incorporating stone blocks, mortars and core-infill materials. The mineralogical composition and interlocking textures of the collected samples were investigated utilizing a large range of complementary investigation and analysis techniques, including polarizing microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis (TG/DTA), and environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) attached to an EDX unit. Through the results thus obtained, a complete characterization of the mineralogical composition; physical–mechanical, chemical, and thermal properties; and the interlocking textures of the construction materials of both the outer and inner-core layers was performed. The outer leaves of the majority of the multiple-leaf stone-masonry walls in medieval architectural heritage were mainly built of well-dressed limestone blocks with nearly uniform dimensions, while the inner-core layer was usually built of stone-rubble infill with bending lime-based mortar. The uniaxial compressive strengths of core infill (corresponding to the inner core layer) and lime-based mortar of the embedded joints are shown to be 85 and 92.5% lower than the limestone units of the outer layer, respectively. Moreover, experimental observations indicate that the inner core layer exhibits the highest porosity values; consequently, deteriorated, loose and cohesionless core infill could greatly affect the durability and thermal resistivity of this kind of wall. The results provide scientific support for investigating the overall structural behaviour of this type of walls and for decision-making in future conservation and restoration strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue In Honor of Prof. Liritzis Ioannis: Essays in Archaeology & Archaeometry and the Hellenic Contribution to Egyptology)

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8 pages, 5810 KiB

Open AccessArticle

“Like Wringing Water from a Stone!” Information Extraction from Two Rock Graffiti in North Kharga, Egypt

by Nikolaos Lazaridis

Heritage 2021, 4(3), 2253-2260; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage4030127 - 07 Sep 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1922

Abstract

In the course of the last ten years, the North Kharga Oasis–Darb Ain Amur Survey team, led by Salima Ikram (American University in Cairo), has been exploring a network of interconnected desert paths in Egypt’s Western Desert, known as Darb Ain Amur. These marked paths run between Kharga Oasis and Dakhla Oasis, linking them to Darb el-Arbain, a notorious caravan route facilitating contacts between Egypt and sub-Saharan Africa since prehistoric times. Ancient travelers using the Darb Ain Amur spent several days in the midst of the Western Desert and were thus forced to use areas around sandstone rock outcrops as makeshift stopovers or camping sites. During these much-needed breaks, ancient travelers identified accessible, inscribable surfaces on the towering sandstone massifs and left on them their personalized markings. In this essay, I examine two short rock graffiti carved by such travelers in a site north of Kharga Oasis, focusing on the types of information one may extract from such ancient epigraphic materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue In Honor of Prof. Liritzis Ioannis: Essays in Archaeology & Archaeometry and the Hellenic Contribution to Egyptology)

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12 pages, 3091 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Archaeoastronomy of the Temples of the Bekaa Valley

by Giulio Magli

Heritage 2021, 4(3), 1526-1537; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage4030084 - 29 Jul 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2795

Abstract

The Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, is famous worldwide due to the magnificent temple of Heliopolitan Jupiter at Baalbek. In recent years, new research revived the interest in the unsolved problems posed by the Baalbek monuments, including original dating and construction phases, relationships with the landscape, and nature of the cult practiced. In a preliminary paper, we used archaeoastronomy to propose that the project of the Temple of Jupiter was a unified one conceived under Herod the Great, and that the cult was strongly connected to the renewal of the seasonal cycles. Here, we extend and confirm this analysis considering the other temples of the Baalbek proper and the three prominent sanctuaries which lie in the Bekaa Valley on the way to Baalbek from Berytus, showing the existence of an orientation custom which appears to originate in Baalbek and to inform all these sacred places. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue In Honor of Prof. Liritzis Ioannis: Essays in Archaeology & Archaeometry and the Hellenic Contribution to Egyptology)

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