## 5 Conclusions  
This comprehensive, multi-analytical investigation of the wood components of the 4500-year-old Second Solar Boat of Khufu yielded significant insights into ancient Egyptian woodworking practices, degradation mechanisms and conservation challenges. Through the integration of advanced imaging and analytical techniques, wood species were identified, degradation was assessed and fungal biodeteriogens that affected this remarkable archaeological artifact were characterized. _Cedrus libani_ (Lebanon cedar) is the main wood species used in the construction of the boat, consistent with historical evidence of the import of cedar from Lebanon during the Old Kingdom period for elite boat-building projects, highlighting the sophisticated material selection practices used by the ancient Egyptians. The choice of cedar was likely due to its superior mechanical properties, enhanced durability and hydrophobic characteristics. Assessment of deterioration revealed complex degradation mechanisms operating at multiple scales. Significant structural changes of the woody cells were evidenced, including their deformation, fracture of the tracheal wall, deterioration of the central lamella and partial structural collapse. There was evidence of extensive accumulation of soil particles within the woody matrix, which served as catalysts for mechanical, chemical and biological disintegration. Several minerals, such as calcium (Ca), silicon (Si) and sulphur (S), indicated the presence of calcite, gypsum and quartz from the burial environment, which had a significant impact on the mechanical properties, chemical stability and porosity of the wood. Chemical characterization demonstrated selective molecular disintegration, with indices revealing a high hemicellulose content with relatively low conserved lignin. The high lignin index (4.040) suggests an oxidative breakdown of the aromatic rings of lignin rather than a complete loss. The carbohydrate to lignin ratio (7.656) confirmed the degradation pattern, indicating a loss of carbohydrate to lignin. The low crystallinity index (1.019), corroborated by the crystallinity index (13%), indicates substantial degradation of the crystalline regions of cellulose, resulting in reduced mechanical strength, increased brittleness and altered dimensional stability. Future research should focus on developing conservation protocols specific to cedar wood from arid archaeological contexts, taking into account the unique degradation patterns identified in this study. Among the fungal species isolated from the deteriorated wooden artifacts, _Aspergillus_ (68%) and _Penicillium_ (32%) were the predominant genera. Molecular analysis confirmed the identity of the most active cellulolytic species as _Aspergillus flavus_ and _Aspergillus terreus_. These fungal species probably employed complex enzymatic processes, including the action of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), which accelerated the breakdown of wood components and induced oxidative changes. Further investigation into the enzymatic mechanisms employed by the identified fungal species could provide new insights into biodeterioration processes and potential mitigation strategies. The burial environment was found to be not only a passive factor but also an active player in the degradation process. Mineral deposits in the burial chamber acted as key catalysts in the systematic dismantling of the structural and molecular composition of wood through the physical disruption of cellular structures, initiation of chemical reactions and modification of internal conditions. Overall, these results provide valuable insights into the long-term degradation processes of archaeological wood in arid environments and enhance our understanding of ancient Egyptian woodworking practices. The multi-analytical approach used in this study provides a comprehensive framework for assessing the conservation status of similar wooden artifacts and can inform future conservation strategies.