The chapel of the QH31 funerary complex (Sarenput II) was excavated directly into the rock, like the rest of the hypogea of the necropolis of Qubbet el-Hawa. However, in the chapel there are some outstanding elements that, probably, were elaborated independently of the excavation works in situ, to be located in the planned place as an integral part of the burial equipment, and the general design of the chapel. These elements include, for example, the three pairs of Osiride statues in the corridor, the four pillars in the offering chamber, and the slabs with which they built the sanctuary of the statue of the grave’s owner. As these elements were found coated so as to make their surfaces suitable for decoration, it is very difficult to determine the stone with which they were made. During the last campaign (2018), in situ analysis with non-invasive techniques, such as X-ray Fluorescence, has allowed determining its chemical composition. In addition, some stone fragments found during the excavations carried out since 2008 by the Qubbet el-Hawa project (University of Jaén), have been analyzed, such as the wig of the decapitated statue on the north wall of the corridor, and the fragment belonging to the right jamb of the façade of the sanctuary housing the statue. The results of the analysis seem to indicate that these elements were made from a very similar sandstone to that of the excavation itself and not with silicified sandstone (quartzarenite), which was also very abundant at Qubbet el-Hawa. Besides, these studies show several differences in composition between the stone employed for the construction of the sanctuary, and other elements such as the Osiride statues. Finally, the slab on the floor of the sanctuary, on which the statue of Sarenput was placed, was made of imported limestone.
Research on the Organic Binders in Archaeological Wall Paintings
