Sourcing Local Materials for Proper Storage of Photographs in Egypt An Investigative and Analytical Study | ||
| مجلة کلية الآثار . جامعة القاهرة | ||
| Volume 18, Issue 28, 2025, Pages 339-374 PDF (1.2 M) | ||
| Document Type: المقالة الأصلية | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/jarch.2025.403956 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Maha Ali; Ibrahim Mohamed Ali | ||
| Faculty of Archaeology, Cairo University | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Photographs are an essential part of the Egyptian cultural and visual heritage. Institutions worldwide are making great efforts to preserve valuable photographs for future generations. Proper enclosures are important preventive measures to protect photographs from physical damage, stabilize sensitive materials, and act as a barrier between them and a potentially unstable environment. However, considering the economic changes Egypt went through in the past years, it is important to find proper solutions to fit the limited budgets of institutions. The authors searched for possible materials in the local market. Several samples of paper, cardboard and plastic materials were collected for testing their suitability for photograph preservation based on the internationally accepted standards. Finding appropriate local materials would benefit many countries in the Middle East that are facing a similar challenge. Evaluation was performed using visual inspection, microscopic inspection by digital microscope, ultraviolet light examination, flame test, polarization test, colorimetric measurements, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, pH value measurements, mechanical properties, and thickness measurements. Based on the obtained results, Cochet paper should not be used since it contains optical brighteners; cellophane is not recommended for storing photographs; and Bristol paper, Rigoletto paper, the local corrugated board, the local Nasibian, and the white foam board have pH values above 8 making them suitable for housing photographs excluding certain types of photographs (e.g., albumen prints and cyanotypes) since they are sensitive to alkalinity. In conclusion, Canson paper, imported Nasibian cardboard and polyester are safe for housing photographs, and are of regular availability and reasonable price. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Housing materials; photographs; microscopic inspection; FT-IR; colorimetric measurements | ||
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