2025 Poster Session

The god Osiris is one of the iconic figures of ancient Egyptian civilization. He is the god of fertility, resurrection, and judgment, as well as the chief of the court of the dead during that period. Osiris was the brother of Isis, Nephthys, and Seth, and he married Isis. The statue of the god Osiris is made of bronze inlaid with gold on the eyes and chest, dating back to the Late Period (664-332 BCE). It is one of the rare and valuable pieces. Osiris is depicted standing on a rectangular base, wearing the Atef crown and holding the crook and flail in both hands. It was discovered in a tomb at Saqqara, Giza Governorate (including Memphis) in Upper Egypt. It was moved to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, and recently to the Grand Egyptian Museum – Conservation Center, with accession no. 5070. The object suffers from corrosion, damage, and wax, as it is covered by a thick layer of corrosion products, predominantly dark green in color, along with soil deposits. There is an unusual fracture at the foot area. The object was examined visually, and its manufacturing method was analyzed, including the direct lost-wax casting technique on the object’s surface, using a variety of comprehensive analytical techniques. The analyses confirmed that the object was made from a bronze alloy inlaid with gold, and the presence of tin and lead has affected the mechanical properties of the alloy, contributing to its deterioration. The conservation procedures for the object included mechanical cleaning to remove the surface rust layer and reveal the thin protective patina on the metal surface. The surface was then treated with a rust inhibitor after the mechanical cleaning, followed by a final application of a protective coating to shield the object from any future deterioration factors. It is currently on display in one of the halls of the Grand Egyptian Museum.