Mineralogical Study and Restoration of the Lid of an Alabaster Sarcophagus in the Step Pyramid, Saqqara, Egypt

The pyramid of king Djoser in Saqqara is one of the oldest stone building in history. There are five levels of corridors under the pyramid. There are two alabaster sarcophaguses in the fifth level. It is thought that they are for two daughters of king Djoser, although they were found empty. The lid of one of these sarcophaguses were found broken into nine pieces. Mineralogical investigations by both X-Ray diffraction and polarizing microscope were required to help identifying the components of the alabaster lid. The obtained results revealed that mineralogical study should have been carried out to achieve the restoration processes. The restoration process was carried out. The broken pieces of the lid were collected and glued, the lid was put in its place and the sarcophagus was closed. A drill, stainless steel bars and an epoxy called Araldite AW 106 were used in the restoration process. The restoration process was completed successfully.