The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir has completed restoration and maintenance work on the papyrus of the scribe (User-Hat-Mes), which dates back to the Late Period, as part of its continuous efforts to preserve and safeguard its archaeological treasures according to the highest international scientific standards.
Dr. Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, stated that the papyrus was moved yesterday from its display location in the museum to the papyrus restoration lab, where the team carried out restoration work using the latest scientific methods and in accordance with the international charters and standards recommended for the conservation and restoration of papyrus, until all cleaning and treatment work was completed and it was returned to its original display location.
He explained that the papyrus had developed some fungi that caused temporary color stains appearing as black dots, a common condition easily handled by specialized restoration teams, stressing that these fungi do not affect the anatomical or chemical structure of the artifact, as they are not considered degrading microbiological infections. He noted that the official responsible for failing to carry out the papyrus's periodic maintenance on schedule, according to the previously approved plan, has been referred for investigation.
For his part, Dr. Ali Abdel Halim, Director of the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, said that some parts of the papyrus still have dark or black colors, stressing that this is not mold or a fungal infection, but an inherent part of the papyrus's nature since its discovery, due to the effects of time and its burial in soil for long periods before it was found.
He stressed the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir's keenness to continue its efforts to preserve Egypt's cultural heritage, ensuring its sustainability for future generations, with full commitment to the best scientific practices in restoration and conservation.
