Evening star., 1923-03-19

Hondou Times-New York Times sopyriEht: BY
;, arrangement with the Earl OF Carnarvon.)
BY Cable to The Star.
BY A. LUCAS.
Director of the Chemical Department of the
Egyptian Government.
~zLUXOR, Egypt, March 19.-The
most important and pressing chemi-
cal problems in connection with the
tomb of Tutankhamen are those hav-
ing reference to the preservation of
objects that have suffered from the
natural processes of decay, which
have been operating during the last
three thousand years.
Many of these problems already
have been described, as have also the
methods adopted to solve them. In
addition to these problems, however.
there are others. also of q chemical
nature, which though interesting are
not urgent, and the solution of which.
therefore, must be postponed for the
present. In a few instances II has
bcen possible to make analyses and
experiments of simple nature on
the spot, but, naturally, very little
in the way Of research can be under
taken in the temporary laboratory
established in the Valley of the
Kings, and it is only later at Cairo
that various questions can be dealt
with satisfactorily.
Would Solve CoIoration.
It may be of inteivst. however. to
mention a few of the problems They
comprise. among others, the nature
and method of formation of a vivid
scarlet color on gold. This colora-
tion appears to be Selective in its
~ he oh
jeot being colored while other gold
on the same object remains uncolored
Thus in the case of one pair of the
kings sandals the leather is orna-
mented with a gold floral design
which Is composed of an outer row
of petals which are scarlet and Ar
inner row of petals which are gray
the gray being probably due to the
presence of silver in the gold; Al
inner rosette which is scarlet and q
center which is yellow. Another pair
OF sandals are ornamented with small
square pieces of gold and small round
pieces of gold. the former being vel.
low and the latter generally scarlet.
Kings Robes Bright.
On one of the kings robes gold
sequins are bright yellow tinted with
scarlet. while on other robes the gold
sequins are a dull reddish brown
color.
Another problem which may have
some relation to the one just men
toned is the widely distributed pink
coloration. and in few places scarlet
coloration, on the walls of the ante
chamber. Both the color on the gold
and on the walls is suggestive of d
scarlet volatile material that has beer
deposited on objects, but what the
material is, how ii came to volatilize
what caused its decomposition and
why this was selective are questions
not yet answered.
The third problem is the nature OF
the processes that led to the decay OF
the leather. What has once been the
raw hide is now like pitch and a;
some time it has been viscous and has
run" Thus the hide from stick
bottom of the box and the hide from
the soles of the sandals had stuck the
sandals fast to other objects. The
tanned leather is black and brittle
and has perished. but SO far as car
be seen at present it has not run
like the raw hide.
Probe Nature of Decay.
A further problem is the nature Of
the decay that caused so many of the
instances these fabrics are now little
more than brown powdery mass
Other problems are the nature and
cause of white incrustation or
1aience. the thin white coating or
wood and other objects, the brown
blackening of only some of the resin
Gus materials.
All these matters will be investi-
gated as soon as time permits, but
for the present various phenomena
remain puzzles, the solution Of which
can only be guessed.
moMp opTErTc ryp1hTNEn