Restauración y conservación de un conjunto de estelas de falsa puerta hallado en Heracleópolis Magna (Ehnasya el-Medina, Beni Suef)

Abstract

An important set of false door stelae with polychrome and hieroglyphic inscriptions have been found, throughout several excavation campaigns, in the necropolis of the First Intermediate Period/Early Middle Kingdom at Herakleopolis Magna. A part of this set is preserved in the National Archaeological Museum (Madrid), while other stelae are stored in the Cairo Museum and in the warehouses of the Ministry of Antiquities located at Ehnasya el-Medina. The conservation and restoration of these objects was undertaken following the criteria recommended by national and international regulations and institutions. The works have been carried out in the National Archaeological Museum and the workshop of the Spanish Archaeological Mission in Ehnasya el-Medina. The stelae presented a heterogeneous and different state of conservation; while some were complete, others were in a fragmentary state. With the purpose of returning the stelae to their original morphology and identity, the treatments applied have essentially consisted of: cleaning, consolidation, material reintegration and volumetric recovery. After restoration, new interesting aspects about the necropolis and the people buried there have come to light.