Conservation Report :

Name of cartonnage : M_pl.SN1

Examiner : Pavlos Kapetanakis

Start Date : 02/02/2018

End Date : 20/04/2018

Initial Name : Magdôla, plastron sans numéro 1

Provenance : Magdôla

Brief description : Cartonnage fragment made of layers of dark beige papyrus, covered with plaster on verso and at places on recto.

Initial Maximum Dimensions (h x l ; estimated thickness if applicable; in cm) : 25 (W) x 20.3cm (H) (with proper top left corner recto unfolded)

Support : papyrus, plaster

Media : Black ink

Type of markings : Writing in black ink partially covered by plaster residues.

General Condition :

Condition

Fair overall. Multiple papyrus fragments overlapping a seemingly large fragment. Bottom section appears to be a long, folded fragment with writing on both sides. A separate medium- sized fragment is noted at proper bottom right quadrant recto. Another medium- sized, separate fragment with long, vertical strips can be seen beneath it. Proper top left corner is folded. The cartonnage seems to consist of a sheet (with smaller and medium- sized fragments attached to it), folded in half along the top edge. Some faint, black ink writing can be seen at middle of proper right side of its verso only. Extensive dried plaster deposits are noted on verso. Plaster residues on recto are faint and limited to the top centre and bottom, obscuring some of the writing.

Treatment Proposal

Solubility testing of ink ( water / ethanol / 50: 50 water/ ethanol) : Performed solubility testing of ink in different areas of the text, using a sable brush and de-mineralised water, followed by pressing with blotting paper squares under weight. The ink appears stable.

• Treatment Proposal(s) :

Treatment

• Treatment performed (detailed description of the different conservation stages, with description of the fragments extracted gradually from the cartonnages and mention of the materials – humidification chamber, methylcellulose, starch paste, Sturgeon glue, Japanese papers) :

Plaster traces were reduced/ removed with the tip of a hard brush. Thicker plaster deposits were removed with a 4% methylcellulose poultice or cotton swabs and de-mineralised water. The treated areas were dried under blotter squares and weights. The cartonnage was placed in a humidification chamber for several hours. Some hot water was added to speed up the process. A medium fragment attached at proper right edge recto was first lifted off with a spatula. Then it was possible to detach two distinct narrow, long fragments with clear Greek text, adhered to each other at the bottom of the cartonnage as well as a medium, almost square fragment with a projecting strip found beneath it. It was possible to separate the two narrow long fragments with further humidification, revealing more text on their verso. Weak areas were supported with Japanese paper strips and methylcellulose. Following further humidification, a rectangular fragment with writing was removed from the bottom section. It was then possible to separate the distinct medium- sized fragment with the vertical strips found at proper bottom right quadrant recto. Two further fragments lodged diagonally on the proper bottom left side of main, large fragment were separated using the tip of a sable brush and de-mineralised water. Several smaller associated fragments were removed in the process. As soon as all the overlapping smaller fragments were removed, it was possible to address the main large fragments. This consisted of a narrow, long, vertical section and a similar horizontal section, with a square shaped fragment with several vertical strips at proper bottom right quadrant recto. This was folded in half across the length of the horizontal section. After several hours of humidification, a spatula and a sable brush and de-mineralised water were used to separate and slowly lift the folded section. This revealed more writing on the verso of the narrow, vertical section. More writing was revealed on the square- shaped fragment with the strips at proper bottom right quadrant, previously covered by the folded long vertical strip. This fragment was partly obscured by other smaller fragments, which were separated after consultation with the papyrologist. Tiny fragments dislodged during treatment were kept in glassine pocket.

• Photo documentation throughout the conservation process

Final Result

• Final Number of fragments obtained : 58, 18 inventoried
• Number(s) of resulting inventory (as on the official inventory book) : 2837a, 2837b, 2838a, 2838b, 2838c, 2838d, 2838e, 2838f, 2838g, 2839, 2840, 2841a, 2841b, 2842a, 2842b, 2842c, 2843a, 2843b
• Maximum Dimensions of each final fragment (h x l ; estimated thickness; in cm) :
• Current housing : Blotter folders, glassine pocket
• Final Photo documentation (photos / scans, colours/ IR) : 2837a_r_CL, 2837a_r_IR, 2837a_v_CL, 2837a_v_IR 2837b_r_CL, 2837b_r_IR, 2837b_v_CL, 2837b_v_IR 2838a_r_CL, 2838a_r_IR, 2838a_v_CL, 2838a_v_IR 2838b_r_CL, 2838b_r_IR, 2838b_v_CL, 2838b_v_IR 2838c_r_CL, 2838c_r_IR, 2838c_v_CL, 2838c_v_IR 2838d_r_CL, 2838d_r_IR, 2838d_v_CL, 2838d_v_IR 2838e_r_CL, 2838e_r_IR, 2838e_v_CL, 2838e_v_IR 2838f_ r_CL, 2838f_ r_IR, 2838f_ v_CL, 2838f_ r_IR 2838g_ r_CL, 2838g_ r_IR, 2838g_ v_CL, 2838g_ v_IR 2839_ r_CL, 2839_ r_IR, 2839_ v_CL, 2839_ v_IR 2840_ r_CL, 2840_ r_IR, 2840_ v_CL, 2840_ v_IR 2841a_ r_CL, 2841a_ r_IR, 2841a_ v_CL, 2841a_ v_IR 2841b_ r_CL, 2841b_ r_IR, 2841b_ v_CL, 2841b_ v_IR 2842b_ r_CL, 2842b_ r_IR, 2842b_ v_CL, 2842b_ v_IR 2842c_ r_CL, 2842c_ r_IR, 2842c_ v_CL, 2842c_ v_IR 2843a_ r_CL, 2843a_ r_IR, 2843a_ v_CL, 2843a_ v_IR 2843b_ r_CL, 2843b_ r_IR, 2843b_ v_CL, 2843b_ v_IR