Dakhleh Oasis Project, Columbia University: Excavations at Amheida 2005 - Area 2.1: the wallpaintings of room 1

Abstract

During the 2005 season the fragments of wallpainting retrieved during the clearance of this room with a domed ceiling in the 2004 season were studied in relation to the published record of the décor in the NE sector of the room. Both the paintings in situ and those recovered as fragments pose considerable conservation problems; the paintings have been executed on a very thin layer of white lime plaster with no effective substratum to support them. A carefully-thought-out conservation strategy will be needed to deal with this very frail material.