Green Conservation of Cultural Heritage in Egypt

众所周知，文化遗产具有很高的意义和价值，为个人、社区和国家提供了一种身份和归属感。埃及有着丰富多样的历史，从旧石器时代一直到现在，当然也包括非常重要的法老时代。然而，尽管它们在全球具有重要意义，埃及的遗产资产正受到威胁。这个项目是基于来自埃及和英国的研究人员之间的跨学科合作，包括埃及古物部的代表。在目前的工作中，将从选定的埃及遗产遗址和博物馆收集各种遗产样本。不同的微生物，包括真菌和细菌菌株将被分离和鉴定使用生物分子方法。将测试各种植物提取物和精油（PEEOs）对关键微生物的抗菌活性。最有效的PEEOs将通过模拟模型和/或材料来评估其逆转生物退化的功效。最后，在科学分析埃及文物的特征并与文物保护人员协商后，将对一些文物使用最有效的药剂。埃及（达米埃塔大学、曼苏拉大学和法尤姆大学）和英国（贝德福德大学）的拟议项目团队，以及来自埃及古物部的团队成员，将积极与埃及博物馆和遗址的工作人员接触，以实现独特的跨学科合作。这将使微生物学、分子遗传学、考古学和遗产保护科学专家之间的合作成为可能。项目团队在尖端生物、分子和分析方法方面的各种专业知识，以及各合作机构的设施，将被充分利用，以开发新的综合途径来调查、分析和处理生物降解材料，从而改善埃及遗产的展示和可持续性。能力建设、知识交流和加强利益相关者之间的联系是项目活动和可交付成果的组成部分。

It is well recognised that cultural heritage has high significance and value, providing an identity and sense of belonging to individuals, communities and nations. Egypt has a rich and diverse history dating from the Palaeolithic until the present day, including of course the immensely significant Pharaonic era. Despite their global importance, however, Egypt's heritage assets are under threat.This project is based on an interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers from Egypt and UK including representatives of the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities. In the present work, various heritage samples will be collected from selected Egyptian heritage sites and museums. Different microbes including fungal and bacterial strains will be isolated and identified using biomolecular methodologies. Various plant extracts and essential oils (PEEOs) will be tested for their antimicrobial activity against key microorganisms. The most potent PEEOs will be evaluated for their efficacy in reversing biodeterioration using simulated models and/or materials. Finally, the most effective agents will be applied to some Egyptian heritage objects following scientific analysis of their characteristics and in consultation with the heritage conservation personnel. The proposed project team in Egypt (Damietta, Mansoura, and Fayoum Universities) and the UK (University of Bedfordshire) along with the Team members from the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities will proactively engage with personnel from Egyptian museums and sites to bring together distinctive interdisciplinary collaboration. This will enable partnerships among specialists in microbiology, molecular genetics, archaeology, and heritage conservation science. The diverse expertise of the project team in cutting-edge biological, molecular and analytical approaches and the facilities at various partner institutions will be fully utilised to develop new integrated pathways to investigate, analyse, and treat biodeteriorated materials leading to improved display and sustainability of Egyptian heritage. Capacity building, knowledge exchange, and enhancing stakeholder connectivity are integral to the project activities and deliverable.