AIC's 52nd Annual Meeting

The Yag laser is considered to have several advantages. It can be used for restoration

purposes due to its relatively low cost, its availability and portability, the immediate

control of the device, the flexibility that the device provides in terms of pulses and emits typically in the near infrared region (NIR) at λ = 1064 nm (ω). Recently, this type of laser has been developed to emit radiation at λ = 532 nm (2ω), λ = 355 nm (3ω), λ = 266 nm (4ω), and λ = 213 nm (5ω) , Therefore, it was used in the case of a Graeco-Roman Egyptian cartonnage from Egyptian Museum in Cairo (TR: 20.12.25.6-SR: 5/290).

Several methods have been used for documentation, examinations, and analyses, such as:photographic documentation, AutoCAD, visual examination with a optical microscope and a colorimeter device.

Through these tests and analyzes it was found that the face of the cartonage had stains that obliterated its features, and the body of the cartonage also suffered from fungi, so laser was resorted to as one of the solutions to preserve the shape and show it , given that traditional methods did not give results.

In the end, the restoration was carried out in steps that began with the laser, which proved that the wavelength 1064 nm (ω) and 20 frequency is the appropriate solution in removing stains that cover gilding layer from the face.

While its success has not been proven with the fungal damage found on the cartonage’s body

Keywords: Yag laser, cartonage, gilding layer, fungal damage, , colormeter