Firas Alawneh - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Firas Alawneh
The research was aimed at providing the most important finds and presenting the results of the ar... more The research was aimed at providing the most important finds and presenting the results of the archaeological excavations at Umm Qeis season 2016. Prior to the excavations, topographical and stratigraphical investigations were carried out of the temple. The excavation revealed a Hellenistic temple, based on the archaeological data collected and materials analysis during the different seasons. The data collected include pottery sherds, structural remains, glass, and metal objects. Detailed recording and documentation, such as a plan, cross sections, and drawings, has been done. The latter excavations helped to uncover evidence relating to all the areas from the Hellenistic to the Roman period, but specifically focused on Hellenistic temple, because this is the most complete of the Distyle in antis temples found at the site, despite being one of the oldest.
The effect of Khirbet Es Samra treatment plant effluent on the groundwaterquality in the area bet... more The effect of Khirbet Es Samra treatment plant effluent on the groundwaterquality in the area between the station and KingTalal Dam، للحصول على النص الكامل يرجى زيارة مكتبة الحسين بن طلال في جامعة اليرموك او زيارة موقعها الالكتروني
The treasury is the icon monument of the world heritage site of ancient Petra city. Unfortunately... more The treasury is the icon monument of the world heritage site of ancient Petra city. Unfortunately, this important part of the world’s cultural heritage is gradually being diminished due to weathering and erosion problems. This give rise to the need to have a comprehensive study and full documentation of the monument in order to evaluate its status. In this research a comprehensive approach utilizing 2D-3D documentation of the structure using laser scanner and photogrammetry is carried parallel with a laboratory analysis and a correlation study of the salt content and the surface weathering forms. In addition, the research extends to evaluate a set of chemical and physical properties of the case study monument. Studies of stone texture and spatial distribution of soluble salts were carried out at the monument in order to explain the mechanism of the weathering problem. Then a series of field work investigations and laboratory work were undertaken to study the effect of relative humid...
Advanced Studies in Energy Efficiency and Built Environment for Developing Countries, 2019
Jordan is a country that is dependent on foreign energy sources, with 96% of the country’s energy... more Jordan is a country that is dependent on foreign energy sources, with 96% of the country’s energy need come from oil and natural gas importation. This has made the government to make an investment plan of $15 billion for renewable and nuclear energy. Also in an attempt to curb these problems, a National Energy Strategy for 2007–2020 was formulated and targeted at boosting reliance on homemade energy sources, from 4 to 40% at the end of the decade using shale oil and some sources of renewable energy, which include the wind and solar energy. Wind resource assessment is the most important step in planning a wind project, because it is the basis for determining initial feasibility, and cash flow projections, and is ultimately vital for acquiring financing. This paper assess the wind data available for a proposed site to examine the possibility of building 100 MW wind farm located in Ajloun north of Jordan. The wind data were analysed using Weibull Distributions for VESTAS V90 2.0 MW win...
The uses of energy are vast, and the demand for it increases every year. With this, energy is bec... more The uses of energy are vast, and the demand for it increases every year. With this, energy is becoming a scarce commodity, and therefore, scientists are coming up with different sources to derive energy from. Energy is obtained from many different types of sources commonly oil, coal and natural gas. Renewable sources are also existent and include but not limited to wind, solar and hydropower. But without efficient use of these resources, energy sources are slowly being depleted causing a demand to find more energy sources. Biofuel is energy obtained from biomass or biowaste, basically plant and animal material. It has been a great solution for the energy problems that the world is facing, but there have been concerns with its production. The concerns are ethical, social, economic, environmental and technical issues that arise out of the methods of the current production of biofuels. Social and ethical issues that arise are such as human rights, solidarity, sustainability, stewardshi...
Advanced Studies in Energy Efficiency and Built Environment for Developing Countries
Photovoltaics (PVs) is the direct conversion of sunlight into electricity. It has many advantages... more Photovoltaics (PVs) is the direct conversion of sunlight into electricity. It has many advantages compared with other energy sources as PV has no moving parts and the fuel source (sunlight) is free, abundant and widely distributed, available to every country and person in the world. For the last two decades, PV has been the fastest growing industry of its size. Continuing at the present, growth rate of 40% for the next two decades will allow PV to be the world’s largest energy source. For this reason, Jordan started recently installing PV power systems in a wide range. This paper will discuss the history of PV power systems in Jordan since the early eighties of the past century, in addition to the progress achieved so far in the total installed PV capacity after the Renewable Energy and Efficiency Law (REEL) became in place in Jordan in year 2014 besides discussing the future PV market in Jordan. In the early eighties of the past century, PV applications, namely solar home systems, telecommunication, water pumping and brackish water desalination, were limited in remote areas as off-grid or standalone PV installations. The total installed capacity of these installations did not exceed 1.5 MW, according to the records of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) in Jordan, before the REEL became in place in Jordan in year 2014. This paper will present an overview about these off-grid PV installations and the reasons behind the limited market. In addition, the paper will show the present status of PV market in Jordan after the REEL became in place. According to recent records obtained from the Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission (EMRC) in Jordan, the total PV installed capacity in Jordan exceeded 300 MW distributed in large-, medium- and small-scale projects according to the kind of installation, whether it is energy net metering, power wheeling or power purchase agreement. These kinds of installations will be discussed briefly in this paper along with the amount of installed capacities. The future PV market in Jordan will be discussed at the end of the paper to show the opportunities in this market and the expected technical limitations especially those related to the capacity of the national grid to absorb the power that will be produced from PV projects under planning.
Solar Energy
Abstract Natural dust accumulation or soiling on the surfaces of PV modules in large-scale PV pow... more Abstract Natural dust accumulation or soiling on the surfaces of PV modules in large-scale PV power plants has a significant effect on the overall performance of these power plants, especially those located in arid areas such Jordan. In this manuscript, the soiling induced effects are quantified and modeled. Experimental setups for three common types of PV modules are utilized to acquire the data used for the models. Projection of the performance and economic impacts on large scale PV plants is carried out to emphasize the necessity to consider the soiling effects during the planning phase. Optimization of PV cleaning schedules for the best return-on-investment, in addition to the importance of determining typical soiling rates for forecasting models in PV power plants under planning is presented as well.
The Academic Research Community Publication (ARChive), Feb 1, 2019
The shortage of sufficient available fresh water resources in Jordan to meet water needs forces t... more The shortage of sufficient available fresh water resources in Jordan to meet water needs forces the nation to look for new water supply sources also to meet the increasing demand for fresh water. In this manuscript, a case study for designing, optimizing and implementing an off-grid water desalination system using photovoltaic (PV) power generation system is introduced. The system is installed on a farm in Southern Ghore of Jordan valley where the access to the grid is not reliable enough to guarantee the desalination of the amount of water for the farm’s irrigation needs. The study offers a framework to aid in designing similar pilot plants where the classic power generation prediction is greatly affected by the environmental conditions. An off-grid PV system with a total nominal power of 10.4 kWp was designed, procured and installed in the southern part of Jordan Valley near Karma town. The system operates the pumping system as well as the reverse osmosis based desalination unit. ...
Renewable Energy
Off-grid photovoltaic (PV) systems' performance greatly depends on the operating conditions. ... more Off-grid photovoltaic (PV) systems' performance greatly depends on the operating conditions. The environmental conditions have strong impact on the power production of PV modules, especially temperature. Localized installations in different areas possess unique behavior matched with the environmental conditions, yet lines up generally with the main characteristics of PV systems. In this manuscript, an experimental pilot plant setup is designed and installed in Jordan Valley, the lowest point on earth of 350m below sea level. Study of PV systems with these environmental characteristics is rarely addressed. In this work, power production of PV modules and dependence on weather conditions is examined and modeled. Weather data has been collected and summarized in the context of this work as well. Temperature induced deteriorations on system level performance are quantified and modeled through a specially designed cooling system to capture the system characteristics. Generated models can be used to properly estimate the power production potential of the installed PV systems and to adequately size the power plants to match desired load profiles. Experimental verification is presented in this manuscript with all relevant results that are needed to analyze the performance of off-grid PV systems.
The current study investigates the chemical and physical properties of the stone building materia... more The current study investigates the chemical and physical properties of the stone building material used in Qusayr Amra, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Jordan. The chemical weathering impact of salt crystallization on these stones was evaluated with the goal of improving conservation efforts. Thermodynamic data from the tested samples using Runsalt software showed that Halite, Sylvite and Calcium Nitrate were the main potential soluble salts. High resolution 3D models and scans were produced using laser scanning in order to provide reference data and improve monitoring of the changes that affect the building. The results of this research point to the possibility of reducing the problems in the building by changing the current environmental conditions around the building and thus mitigating the major deterioration factor in this site due to the crystallization and distribution of salt.
Conservation Science in Cultural Heritage, 2018
This paper describes the multi-analytical techniques and treatment processes that were undertaken... more This paper describes the multi-analytical techniques and treatment processes that were undertaken in the conservation of two deteriorated cartonnages of the Greek- Roman period. Due to the lack of cartonnage specialists and the complicated nature of the restoration process, cartonnages within Egyptian museums and storage areas suffer from neglect and various other problems. The issue of cartonnage restoration is, so far, still a subject of scientific controversy. The research described in this paper dealt with the conservation and restoration of two mummy cartonnages found in Saqqara. Damage factors were identified and a biological study was conducted aimed at identifying the microorganisms that had led to biological infection. Furthermore, spot-stains caused by using resin in the mummification process were also inspected. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDX), X-ray diffraction and Infrared (FTIR) results revealed the cartonnage components. It is clear from the spectra obtained w...
It is clear from the results of this study that the archaeological and heritage sites located wit... more It is clear from the results of this study that the archaeological and heritage sites located within the Zarqa Governorate are exposed to the risks of industrial pollution that threatens the are existence of this historical evidence, with the increasing size of the expansion of factories and workshops and residential complexes, the rate of increase of pollution on the rise, that we must take preventive measures to halt the deterioration in the foundations of these buildings and then implement a plan to mitigate damage caused by industrial pollution. All of the following are some suggested actions to find a solution to the problem of industrial pollution threat to cultural heritage Available data indicate that air pollution in urban environments is mainly due to traffic. Since diesel vehicles greatly contribute to smoke and blackening of monuments, these should be replaced by electric vehicles in city centers or converted to alternative fuels. In addition, proposals for new air quali...
Generally, glaze production can be dated back to the end of the 5th century BC and seems to have ... more Generally, glaze production can be dated back to the end of the 5th century BC and seems to have been present in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Syria. Glazed pottery likely originated in the 16th century BC in the same areas [1, 2]. Glazes were used for decorative and technical purposes, to hide some defective features and to improve material properties [3]. Islamic ceramic productions are considered among the highest quality in terms of raw material preparation, formation, decoration, use of bright colors and controlling firing temperatures [4]. Glazed pottery in the Ayyubid and Mamluk periods is distinguished by its high purity paste, firing temperature and decoration [5]. Different types of glazes have been produced, including alkaline, lead, and mixtures of both [1,2,3,4]. The availability of large quantities of Ayyubi/Mamluk glazed ceramics also indicates Jordan’s important role in the trade route between Egypt and Syria [5,6]. One of the main characteristics of high-lead-content glaz...
The current study is a comprehensive investigation of the chemical and physical properties of the... more The current study is a comprehensive investigation of the chemical and physical properties of the stones building materials of Amra palace, one of the key World Heritage Sites in Jordan. The weathering effect of salt crystallization on these stones was evaluated using a thermodynamic approach based on Runsalt software. In order to achieve that, different analytical techniques and tests were conducted. For authenticity purposes a very small samples were used. The Thermodynamic data from the tested samples showed that Halite, Sylvite and Calcium Nitrate were the main potential soluble salts at the studied samples within the current environmental conditions. Additionally, the spatial distribution and texture of the damage on the building surface are needed in order to * Corresponding author, Fadi.balaawi@hu.edu.jo
The paper presents the physical, chemical and biological investigations, as well as a detail the ... more The paper presents the physical, chemical and biological investigations, as well as a detail the process of restoration of a byzantine icon from Church of Saint Georgios in Ajloun, Jordan. Before establishing any treatment or maintenance procedures, it was necessary to obtain complete information about the components of the icon and its condition. Keeping in mind the original aesthetic aspect of the icon. In this effort an integrated analytical approach was used. In order to evaluate the icon’s components and degree of degradation, surface and bulk techniques were used. X-ray fluorescence using a Philips Minipal PW4025 spectrometer was used to identify the elemental composition of the preparation layer and background. For the chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) was investigation was performed. The FTIR technique was also used to identify the media used in the application of the icon layers, as well as the type of varnish used to insulate the icon. The cleaning process is a ke...
This study of the transition period pottery has focused on the classification and technological f... more This study of the transition period pottery has focused on the classification and technological features of potsherds from selected sites in Jordan (Amman, Aqaba, Beit Ras, Khirbet el-Nawafleh, Jarash, Jericho, Pella, Madaba, Gharndal, Humaimah, Um er-Rassas and Um el-Waleed). Samples were studied by particle-induced X-ray emission spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and optical microscopy to analyze their chemical, mineralogical and textural features in the aim of determining their possible provenance and production technology. Compositional data were statistically processed with multivariate analysis using SYSTAT 11 software 2006. To obtain further information about possible source areas of raw materials used in ceramic production, clays were also sampled in the studied areas. Firing experiments were conducted for clays with compositions comparable with those of ceramic sherds, to better understand the firing technology of the pottery. The multifaceted analytical approach has ...
Ancient mortars have been widely studied, in connection with both diagnosis and applications requ... more Ancient mortars have been widely studied, in connection with both diagnosis and applications required for restoration. This study is primarily based on analyses of different mortar samples from a Hellenistic temple. The study was done by means of a polarizing microscope equipped for observations in transmitted and reflected light; and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) were also used to confirm and supplement the microscopic data, and wet chemical analyses were performed on the acid filtrate for soluble oxides of Fe, Al, Ca, Mg, S, Na and K. Chemical and petrographic analysis were used to determine chemical composition and physical properties, which in turn provide an in-depth understanding of the structural behavior and durability characteristics as they relate to the composition. The results show that the plaster used was a lime-based mortar. The cementing binder was a lime (identified by spot test) with foss...
In antiquity, two types of glaze were known: alkaline and lead glazes. The former seemed to be fi... more In antiquity, two types of glaze were known: alkaline and lead glazes. The former seemed to be first known in Ancient Egypt a few thousand years ago. In this study, examination deals with a biochemical and physical alteration of a leadglazed pottery. A multi-analytical approach was used to investigate Islamic leadglazed pottery artefacts from the archaeological site Tal al alhusun, Jordan. The chemical, structural, and micro-morphological characterizations were performed using a combination of ICP–AES, to identify the clay materials and the glaze, optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and analyzed semi-quantitatively using an energy dispersive spectrometer. Sample under microscope showed some brilliant particles of a gray-black compound contained within most of the cracks and bubbles, Semi-quantitative chemical analyses, using EDS, were carried out in gray-black zones (cracks, bubbles, etc.). On the other hand, EDX analysis showed glaze contained lead sulfide or galena (PbS...
The research was aimed at providing the most important finds and presenting the results of the ar... more The research was aimed at providing the most important finds and presenting the results of the archaeological excavations at Umm Qeis season 2016. Prior to the excavations, topographical and stratigraphical investigations were carried out of the temple. The excavation revealed a Hellenistic temple, based on the archaeological data collected and materials analysis during the different seasons. The data collected include pottery sherds, structural remains, glass, and metal objects. Detailed recording and documentation, such as a plan, cross sections, and drawings, has been done. The latter excavations helped to uncover evidence relating to all the areas from the Hellenistic to the Roman period, but specifically focused on Hellenistic temple, because this is the most complete of the Distyle in antis temples found at the site, despite being one of the oldest.
The research was aimed at providing the most important finds and presenting the results of the ar... more The research was aimed at providing the most important finds and presenting the results of the archaeological excavations at Umm Qeis season 2016. Prior to the excavations, topographical and stratigraphical investigations were carried out of the temple. The excavation revealed a Hellenistic temple, based on the archaeological data collected and materials analysis during the different seasons. The data collected include pottery sherds, structural remains, glass, and metal objects. Detailed recording and documentation, such as a plan, cross sections, and drawings, has been done. The latter excavations helped to uncover evidence relating to all the areas from the Hellenistic to the Roman period, but specifically focused on Hellenistic temple, because this is the most complete of the Distyle in antis temples found at the site, despite being one of the oldest.
The effect of Khirbet Es Samra treatment plant effluent on the groundwaterquality in the area bet... more The effect of Khirbet Es Samra treatment plant effluent on the groundwaterquality in the area between the station and KingTalal Dam، للحصول على النص الكامل يرجى زيارة مكتبة الحسين بن طلال في جامعة اليرموك او زيارة موقعها الالكتروني
The treasury is the icon monument of the world heritage site of ancient Petra city. Unfortunately... more The treasury is the icon monument of the world heritage site of ancient Petra city. Unfortunately, this important part of the world’s cultural heritage is gradually being diminished due to weathering and erosion problems. This give rise to the need to have a comprehensive study and full documentation of the monument in order to evaluate its status. In this research a comprehensive approach utilizing 2D-3D documentation of the structure using laser scanner and photogrammetry is carried parallel with a laboratory analysis and a correlation study of the salt content and the surface weathering forms. In addition, the research extends to evaluate a set of chemical and physical properties of the case study monument. Studies of stone texture and spatial distribution of soluble salts were carried out at the monument in order to explain the mechanism of the weathering problem. Then a series of field work investigations and laboratory work were undertaken to study the effect of relative humid...
Advanced Studies in Energy Efficiency and Built Environment for Developing Countries, 2019
Jordan is a country that is dependent on foreign energy sources, with 96% of the country’s energy... more Jordan is a country that is dependent on foreign energy sources, with 96% of the country’s energy need come from oil and natural gas importation. This has made the government to make an investment plan of $15 billion for renewable and nuclear energy. Also in an attempt to curb these problems, a National Energy Strategy for 2007–2020 was formulated and targeted at boosting reliance on homemade energy sources, from 4 to 40% at the end of the decade using shale oil and some sources of renewable energy, which include the wind and solar energy. Wind resource assessment is the most important step in planning a wind project, because it is the basis for determining initial feasibility, and cash flow projections, and is ultimately vital for acquiring financing. This paper assess the wind data available for a proposed site to examine the possibility of building 100 MW wind farm located in Ajloun north of Jordan. The wind data were analysed using Weibull Distributions for VESTAS V90 2.0 MW win...
The uses of energy are vast, and the demand for it increases every year. With this, energy is bec... more The uses of energy are vast, and the demand for it increases every year. With this, energy is becoming a scarce commodity, and therefore, scientists are coming up with different sources to derive energy from. Energy is obtained from many different types of sources commonly oil, coal and natural gas. Renewable sources are also existent and include but not limited to wind, solar and hydropower. But without efficient use of these resources, energy sources are slowly being depleted causing a demand to find more energy sources. Biofuel is energy obtained from biomass or biowaste, basically plant and animal material. It has been a great solution for the energy problems that the world is facing, but there have been concerns with its production. The concerns are ethical, social, economic, environmental and technical issues that arise out of the methods of the current production of biofuels. Social and ethical issues that arise are such as human rights, solidarity, sustainability, stewardshi...
Advanced Studies in Energy Efficiency and Built Environment for Developing Countries
Photovoltaics (PVs) is the direct conversion of sunlight into electricity. It has many advantages... more Photovoltaics (PVs) is the direct conversion of sunlight into electricity. It has many advantages compared with other energy sources as PV has no moving parts and the fuel source (sunlight) is free, abundant and widely distributed, available to every country and person in the world. For the last two decades, PV has been the fastest growing industry of its size. Continuing at the present, growth rate of 40% for the next two decades will allow PV to be the world’s largest energy source. For this reason, Jordan started recently installing PV power systems in a wide range. This paper will discuss the history of PV power systems in Jordan since the early eighties of the past century, in addition to the progress achieved so far in the total installed PV capacity after the Renewable Energy and Efficiency Law (REEL) became in place in Jordan in year 2014 besides discussing the future PV market in Jordan. In the early eighties of the past century, PV applications, namely solar home systems, telecommunication, water pumping and brackish water desalination, were limited in remote areas as off-grid or standalone PV installations. The total installed capacity of these installations did not exceed 1.5 MW, according to the records of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) in Jordan, before the REEL became in place in Jordan in year 2014. This paper will present an overview about these off-grid PV installations and the reasons behind the limited market. In addition, the paper will show the present status of PV market in Jordan after the REEL became in place. According to recent records obtained from the Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission (EMRC) in Jordan, the total PV installed capacity in Jordan exceeded 300 MW distributed in large-, medium- and small-scale projects according to the kind of installation, whether it is energy net metering, power wheeling or power purchase agreement. These kinds of installations will be discussed briefly in this paper along with the amount of installed capacities. The future PV market in Jordan will be discussed at the end of the paper to show the opportunities in this market and the expected technical limitations especially those related to the capacity of the national grid to absorb the power that will be produced from PV projects under planning.
Solar Energy
Abstract Natural dust accumulation or soiling on the surfaces of PV modules in large-scale PV pow... more Abstract Natural dust accumulation or soiling on the surfaces of PV modules in large-scale PV power plants has a significant effect on the overall performance of these power plants, especially those located in arid areas such Jordan. In this manuscript, the soiling induced effects are quantified and modeled. Experimental setups for three common types of PV modules are utilized to acquire the data used for the models. Projection of the performance and economic impacts on large scale PV plants is carried out to emphasize the necessity to consider the soiling effects during the planning phase. Optimization of PV cleaning schedules for the best return-on-investment, in addition to the importance of determining typical soiling rates for forecasting models in PV power plants under planning is presented as well.
The Academic Research Community Publication (ARChive), Feb 1, 2019
The shortage of sufficient available fresh water resources in Jordan to meet water needs forces t... more The shortage of sufficient available fresh water resources in Jordan to meet water needs forces the nation to look for new water supply sources also to meet the increasing demand for fresh water. In this manuscript, a case study for designing, optimizing and implementing an off-grid water desalination system using photovoltaic (PV) power generation system is introduced. The system is installed on a farm in Southern Ghore of Jordan valley where the access to the grid is not reliable enough to guarantee the desalination of the amount of water for the farm’s irrigation needs. The study offers a framework to aid in designing similar pilot plants where the classic power generation prediction is greatly affected by the environmental conditions. An off-grid PV system with a total nominal power of 10.4 kWp was designed, procured and installed in the southern part of Jordan Valley near Karma town. The system operates the pumping system as well as the reverse osmosis based desalination unit. ...
Renewable Energy
Off-grid photovoltaic (PV) systems' performance greatly depends on the operating conditions. ... more Off-grid photovoltaic (PV) systems' performance greatly depends on the operating conditions. The environmental conditions have strong impact on the power production of PV modules, especially temperature. Localized installations in different areas possess unique behavior matched with the environmental conditions, yet lines up generally with the main characteristics of PV systems. In this manuscript, an experimental pilot plant setup is designed and installed in Jordan Valley, the lowest point on earth of 350m below sea level. Study of PV systems with these environmental characteristics is rarely addressed. In this work, power production of PV modules and dependence on weather conditions is examined and modeled. Weather data has been collected and summarized in the context of this work as well. Temperature induced deteriorations on system level performance are quantified and modeled through a specially designed cooling system to capture the system characteristics. Generated models can be used to properly estimate the power production potential of the installed PV systems and to adequately size the power plants to match desired load profiles. Experimental verification is presented in this manuscript with all relevant results that are needed to analyze the performance of off-grid PV systems.
The current study investigates the chemical and physical properties of the stone building materia... more The current study investigates the chemical and physical properties of the stone building material used in Qusayr Amra, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Jordan. The chemical weathering impact of salt crystallization on these stones was evaluated with the goal of improving conservation efforts. Thermodynamic data from the tested samples using Runsalt software showed that Halite, Sylvite and Calcium Nitrate were the main potential soluble salts. High resolution 3D models and scans were produced using laser scanning in order to provide reference data and improve monitoring of the changes that affect the building. The results of this research point to the possibility of reducing the problems in the building by changing the current environmental conditions around the building and thus mitigating the major deterioration factor in this site due to the crystallization and distribution of salt.
Conservation Science in Cultural Heritage, 2018
This paper describes the multi-analytical techniques and treatment processes that were undertaken... more This paper describes the multi-analytical techniques and treatment processes that were undertaken in the conservation of two deteriorated cartonnages of the Greek- Roman period. Due to the lack of cartonnage specialists and the complicated nature of the restoration process, cartonnages within Egyptian museums and storage areas suffer from neglect and various other problems. The issue of cartonnage restoration is, so far, still a subject of scientific controversy. The research described in this paper dealt with the conservation and restoration of two mummy cartonnages found in Saqqara. Damage factors were identified and a biological study was conducted aimed at identifying the microorganisms that had led to biological infection. Furthermore, spot-stains caused by using resin in the mummification process were also inspected. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDX), X-ray diffraction and Infrared (FTIR) results revealed the cartonnage components. It is clear from the spectra obtained w...
It is clear from the results of this study that the archaeological and heritage sites located wit... more It is clear from the results of this study that the archaeological and heritage sites located within the Zarqa Governorate are exposed to the risks of industrial pollution that threatens the are existence of this historical evidence, with the increasing size of the expansion of factories and workshops and residential complexes, the rate of increase of pollution on the rise, that we must take preventive measures to halt the deterioration in the foundations of these buildings and then implement a plan to mitigate damage caused by industrial pollution. All of the following are some suggested actions to find a solution to the problem of industrial pollution threat to cultural heritage Available data indicate that air pollution in urban environments is mainly due to traffic. Since diesel vehicles greatly contribute to smoke and blackening of monuments, these should be replaced by electric vehicles in city centers or converted to alternative fuels. In addition, proposals for new air quali...
Generally, glaze production can be dated back to the end of the 5th century BC and seems to have ... more Generally, glaze production can be dated back to the end of the 5th century BC and seems to have been present in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Syria. Glazed pottery likely originated in the 16th century BC in the same areas [1, 2]. Glazes were used for decorative and technical purposes, to hide some defective features and to improve material properties [3]. Islamic ceramic productions are considered among the highest quality in terms of raw material preparation, formation, decoration, use of bright colors and controlling firing temperatures [4]. Glazed pottery in the Ayyubid and Mamluk periods is distinguished by its high purity paste, firing temperature and decoration [5]. Different types of glazes have been produced, including alkaline, lead, and mixtures of both [1,2,3,4]. The availability of large quantities of Ayyubi/Mamluk glazed ceramics also indicates Jordan’s important role in the trade route between Egypt and Syria [5,6]. One of the main characteristics of high-lead-content glaz...
The current study is a comprehensive investigation of the chemical and physical properties of the... more The current study is a comprehensive investigation of the chemical and physical properties of the stones building materials of Amra palace, one of the key World Heritage Sites in Jordan. The weathering effect of salt crystallization on these stones was evaluated using a thermodynamic approach based on Runsalt software. In order to achieve that, different analytical techniques and tests were conducted. For authenticity purposes a very small samples were used. The Thermodynamic data from the tested samples showed that Halite, Sylvite and Calcium Nitrate were the main potential soluble salts at the studied samples within the current environmental conditions. Additionally, the spatial distribution and texture of the damage on the building surface are needed in order to * Corresponding author, Fadi.balaawi@hu.edu.jo
The paper presents the physical, chemical and biological investigations, as well as a detail the ... more The paper presents the physical, chemical and biological investigations, as well as a detail the process of restoration of a byzantine icon from Church of Saint Georgios in Ajloun, Jordan. Before establishing any treatment or maintenance procedures, it was necessary to obtain complete information about the components of the icon and its condition. Keeping in mind the original aesthetic aspect of the icon. In this effort an integrated analytical approach was used. In order to evaluate the icon’s components and degree of degradation, surface and bulk techniques were used. X-ray fluorescence using a Philips Minipal PW4025 spectrometer was used to identify the elemental composition of the preparation layer and background. For the chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) was investigation was performed. The FTIR technique was also used to identify the media used in the application of the icon layers, as well as the type of varnish used to insulate the icon. The cleaning process is a ke...
This study of the transition period pottery has focused on the classification and technological f... more This study of the transition period pottery has focused on the classification and technological features of potsherds from selected sites in Jordan (Amman, Aqaba, Beit Ras, Khirbet el-Nawafleh, Jarash, Jericho, Pella, Madaba, Gharndal, Humaimah, Um er-Rassas and Um el-Waleed). Samples were studied by particle-induced X-ray emission spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and optical microscopy to analyze their chemical, mineralogical and textural features in the aim of determining their possible provenance and production technology. Compositional data were statistically processed with multivariate analysis using SYSTAT 11 software 2006. To obtain further information about possible source areas of raw materials used in ceramic production, clays were also sampled in the studied areas. Firing experiments were conducted for clays with compositions comparable with those of ceramic sherds, to better understand the firing technology of the pottery. The multifaceted analytical approach has ...
Ancient mortars have been widely studied, in connection with both diagnosis and applications requ... more Ancient mortars have been widely studied, in connection with both diagnosis and applications required for restoration. This study is primarily based on analyses of different mortar samples from a Hellenistic temple. The study was done by means of a polarizing microscope equipped for observations in transmitted and reflected light; and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) were also used to confirm and supplement the microscopic data, and wet chemical analyses were performed on the acid filtrate for soluble oxides of Fe, Al, Ca, Mg, S, Na and K. Chemical and petrographic analysis were used to determine chemical composition and physical properties, which in turn provide an in-depth understanding of the structural behavior and durability characteristics as they relate to the composition. The results show that the plaster used was a lime-based mortar. The cementing binder was a lime (identified by spot test) with foss...
In antiquity, two types of glaze were known: alkaline and lead glazes. The former seemed to be fi... more In antiquity, two types of glaze were known: alkaline and lead glazes. The former seemed to be first known in Ancient Egypt a few thousand years ago. In this study, examination deals with a biochemical and physical alteration of a leadglazed pottery. A multi-analytical approach was used to investigate Islamic leadglazed pottery artefacts from the archaeological site Tal al alhusun, Jordan. The chemical, structural, and micro-morphological characterizations were performed using a combination of ICP–AES, to identify the clay materials and the glaze, optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and analyzed semi-quantitatively using an energy dispersive spectrometer. Sample under microscope showed some brilliant particles of a gray-black compound contained within most of the cracks and bubbles, Semi-quantitative chemical analyses, using EDS, were carried out in gray-black zones (cracks, bubbles, etc.). On the other hand, EDX analysis showed glaze contained lead sulfide or galena (PbS...
The research was aimed at providing the most important finds and presenting the results of the ar... more The research was aimed at providing the most important finds and presenting the results of the archaeological excavations at Umm Qeis season 2016. Prior to the excavations, topographical and stratigraphical investigations were carried out of the temple. The excavation revealed a Hellenistic temple, based on the archaeological data collected and materials analysis during the different seasons. The data collected include pottery sherds, structural remains, glass, and metal objects. Detailed recording and documentation, such as a plan, cross sections, and drawings, has been done. The latter excavations helped to uncover evidence relating to all the areas from the Hellenistic to the Roman period, but specifically focused on Hellenistic temple, because this is the most complete of the Distyle in antis temples found at the site, despite being one of the oldest.