Archeomatica_4_2018

Tecnologie per i Beni Culturali 31
Serabit El-Khadem (5.07 for Wadi El-Maghara and 0.72 for
Serabit El-Khadem), whereas the amount of Mg increases
in the rock of Wadi El- Maghara (13.85) and Wadi El-Nasib
(12.37), the content of S increases in the rock of Wadi El-
Maghara (6.74). The higher amount of Al in the samples of
Wadi El-Maghara (3.31) and Serabit El-Khadem (5.80) can
be clearly seen, whereas the amount of Al decreases in the
Rock of Wadi Kharag (2.10) and the Rock of Wadi El-Nasib
(2.12), also the element of P was existence in the ore sample
(0.22) and the slag sample (0.24) of El- Maghara.
The high concentration of Fe in the ore samples of Wadi El-
Maghara (10.90), Wadi El-Nasib (12.62), Serabit El-Khadim
(9.93) and Wadi Kharag (7.87) is obviously seen (Figs.13-
20).
The amount of Ca was found in the ore and slag samples of
Serabit El-Khadem (5.88), (3.71) and it was existence in a
small amount in the ore of Al- Maghara (1.31), these results
are confirmed and supported by XRD analysis results.
XRF analysis revealed that there are many elements are
found in ore samples of Serabit El-Khadem and Wadi El-
Maghara such as Cu, P, Fe and Al. Also the analysis show a
higher copper content in the samples of Wadi Kharag, Wadi
El-Nasib and Wadi El-Maghara, but it is existence in very
small amount as purities in Serabit El-Khadem ore sample
(0.72).
These results indicate that the main elements of the chemical
composition of turquoise are found obviously in Serabit
El-Khadem and El- Maghara more than in Wadi El-Nasib and
Wadi Kharag. In contrast the copper is found more clearly
in Wadi Kharag, Wadi El-Nasib and also in Wadi El-Maghara.
Turquoise (Cu Al 6
(PO 4
) 4
(OH) 8
. 4H 2
O) is a semi- precious stone,
it is a secondary mineral occurring in the potassic alteration
zone of hydrothermal porphyry copper deposits, turquoise
is formed by the action of meteoric waters, usually
in arid regions, on aluminous igneous or sedimentary rocks
(as vein filling in volcanic rocks) and phosphatic sediments
[www.mindat.org/min-4060.html]. It has many colours such
as sky-blue, bluish green, apple green or greenish grey and
the hardness is 5-6. To mine the turquoise, the Egyptians
would hollow out large galleries in the mountains, carving
at the entrance to each a representation of the reigning
pharaoh a symbol of the authority of the Egyptian state over
the mine and its yield. Although many of the region’s pharaonic
reliefs were destroyed by a British attempt to re-open
the mines in the mid-nineteenth century, the excellent bas
relief of Pharaoh Sekhemkhet on the east face of Gebel
Maghara survives. Also at Serabit Al-Khadem are the ruins of
a temple dedicated to Hathor, containing a large number of
bas-reliefs and carved steals [www.geographia.com/egypt/
sinai/serabit.htm].
XR Diffraction Analysis
X-ray analysis showed the nature and the composition of
ore and slag samples as it shown in (Figs.23- 27 and Table
2). The data obtained declared that Al-Maghara ore, forms
mainly of Lime (Ca O), minor of Piustite (FeO), Kaolinite
(Al 2
Si 2
O 5
(OH) 4
, Tin Oxide (SnO 2
), Quartz (SiO 2
) and traces
of Tephroite (Mn 2
SiO 4
) and Copper Zinc(CuZn). Kharag ore
forms mainly of Atacamite(Cu 2
(OH) 3
Cl), minor of Iron (Fe),
Aragonite (CaCO 3
), Andradite (3CaO.Fe 2
O 3
.3SiO 2
), Nentokite
(CuCl), Copper Zinc Tin Sulfide (Cu2ZnSnS4), and traces
of Chalcocite Cu 2
S and Tin Oxide SnO 2.
Al-Nasib ore forms
Fig. 23 - Shows XRD scan for ore sample from Wadi Al-Maghra.
Fig. 24 - Shows XRD scan for ore sample from Wadi Kharag.
Fig.25 - Shows XRD scan for ore sample from Wadi Al-Nasib.
Fig. 26 - Shows XRD scan for ore sample from Serabit Al-Khadem area.