Posters will be on display in the AIC Exhibit Hall on Thursday, May 29, and Friday, May 30. Poster authors will be at their poster for a Q&A session on Friday, May 30, at 3:30pm.
Banner photo by Lane Pelovsky, Courtesy of Meet Minneapolis
Wigs and hair extensions were worn as items of both daily and funerary accessories, combining the desire for ornate and impressive styles with the practicalities of cleanliness. The studied wig belonged to a priest and dated back to the New Kingdom,18 Dynasty. The construction process of ancient Egyptian wig-making is very similar to modern practices nowadays. Human hair was the most common raw material used in wigs' manufacturing. In later periods, plant fibers of date palm trees were used as wig stuffing. A mixture of beeswax and resin was used in wigs' styling; to hold the braids and curls. Braids were fixed to the net with special nots. The wig reached GEM-CC in a deplorable condition. Firstly, we collaborated with creators and databases to know all historical data about it, then it was subjected to optical investigation. The results were, firstly, that it was suffering from fragility and separations in some parts, dirt dust, weakness, Then, according to the bad, unfamiliar smell and white spots, we suspected an existential microbiological infection, so we asked the team of the microbiological lab for help, and we collaborated with them. The results ensured there were bacteria, so they prepared the tent for fumigation. Then the team work committed to discuss work plan, that included Documentation by Photography for case of wig and it’s structure, and Digital microscope was used in the documentation of the shape of the net which used in fixing hair braids ,and we found out that there are two types of braids, double braid ,three strand braid, after that we decided collaboration with Scanning electronic Microscope lab(SEM) to identify types of hair, and analyses samples of hair by EDX to identify any components in manufacturing or components as a result of degradation, as a result of previous procedures we found out the method of fixing braids through the net, there was elastic band to expand and tighten wig size according to the head size. Therefore, based on the previous results, a treatment and preservation plan was developed that was appropriate and compatible with the wig manufacturing technique that was based on the use of Eco- friendly materials, and collaboration with the mount team at Organic Lab to execute an appropriate mount for display and a preventive conservation.
