Sahar Ismael

doi:10.19080/GJAA.2025.14.555884

Characterization Study of Sheath of Kalij Sword from Islamic Period

Sahar Ismael*

Lecturer in Conservation Department, Faculty of Archaeology, Fayoum University, Egypt

Submission:January 31, 2025; Published:February 26, 2025

*Corresponding author:Sahar Ismael, Lecturer in Conservation Department, Faculty of Archaeology, Fayoum University, Egypt

How to cite this article:Sahar I. Characterization Study of Sheath of Kalij Sword from Islamic Period. Glob J Arch & Anthropol. 2025; 14(2): 555884.DOI: 10.19080/GJAA.2025.14.555884

Abstract

Sheath of sword is an important part and must be suiting its sword. Swords have a lot of shapes; kalij sword is the most famous kind. The sheath consists of variety materials, so sword sheath components has different reaction to deterioration factors. This sheath in the store of Islamic art museum suffer from rust of metal parts, separation of the lower metal part, missing part of dry leather, cracks at the wooden support and microbial infection. The sheath has examined by Digital Microscope (Usb microscope) and microbial investigation. It had analysis by Attenuated Total Reflectance with Infra-Red Radiation spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), X-Ray fluorescence (XRF), Scanning Electron Microscope with EDX unit (SEM-EDX) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). Results illustrated that is the sheath from Othman period. Examination with usb microscope showed that the leather is snake leather. Microbial investigation cleared Microbacterium imperial for metal, Bacillus jeotgali, Microbacterium imperial, Micrococcus lutus and Kocuria turfanensis as a bacteria in addition Arthroderma curreyi and Chaetomium funicola as fungi for leather, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus ustus and Chaetomium tetrasporum for wood. Analysis by AT-IR result showed that the adhesive is animal glue. Analysis with XRF and EDX showed the metal part is alloy from Brass and iron adds to it. XRD showed that the rust consists of Limonite, Magnetite, Iron Sulfide, Paratacamite, Copper Sulfide, Zinc Sulfate, Calcite and Silica.

Keywords:Sheath; USB Microscope; Microbial Investigation; ATR-IR; XRF; SEM; EDX; XRD

Introduction

All old civilizations know metal weapon science Bronze Age, the most important kind is sword [1] which had made from Bronze then from iron [2]. weapon in ancient society have essential role in development to save gains and wealth [3]. weapons divided two classes Offensive like sword and defensive like shield [4,5]. Sword consist of a blade, hilt for catch and sheath (scabbard).The sheathes made from several materials to save sword and contain suspending loops for hanging on the horse or on the warrior. In the beginning scabbard (sheath) was made from bronze and iron [6] then from wood decorative with Lacquer painting, [7] sometimes wood is covered with leather, [8] silk and metal. The sheath matches its sword in shape.

The Islamic swords divided two types straight and curved. That curved sword became exist in the 15th century AH 9th AD, between them little curved kind was appeared [9,10]. Sword has a lot of names depend on its shape, the curved on called kalij in Turkish and Saber in Arabic language. The Ottoman Empire in Turkey adopted that Mongolian origins sword (kalij) and modified to be distinguished Othman era since 1800 AD; have single edge blade and its end section is double edge [11,12,13].

The research aim to Characterization Study the sheath, which in Islamic art museum store with number 39229/2 (Figure 1). Characterization is a significant part of documentation. Documentation is important for describe everything in the object by written, photo and drawing, its keep data [14]. (Archaeological work and documentation together in every step, beginning from excavation and 3D documentation for place and objects [15,16] during restoration process until finished. Documentation include Characterization (investigation and analysis for the object) that often not available because of limited devices in museums [17] and depend on if there are minor parts falling from the objects. Every object is unique in its material and surrounding condition, so there are different investigation and analysis use to each object according the condition and what we need to know.

The sheath structure is inner support from two pieces of wood together with two parts of metal in the front and end; the middle part covered with leather and has two suspending loops. There is in one of sheath side curved metal strip decorative with gold as so as the two metal parts. The front metal part have symbol in one side a star and on the other side star with crescent in gold. Straight distance between both ends of the sheath is 85.5 cm and maximum width 4.5 cm.

Study the symbols of the crescent and star, found that symbols refer to the Ottoman Empire [18]. The star in the Othman Empire had eight points (Figure 2), after collapse and became Turkish republic, the star became have five points only [19,20].

Previous studies for swords are without sheath (for metallic blades) [21,22,23,24]. The only sheath mentioned before from wood only. The research study for complex structure material sheath, so i used Usb microscope to document deterioration and recognize leather kind, microbial investigation for determine existing bacteria and fungi, also ATR-FTIR for recognize adhesive material on wood under separated metal part. X-Ray fluorescence XRF and Scanning electron microscope (SEM) with EDX unit to know elements in the object. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) for establish compounds in the metal parts.

Materials and Methods

Materials

The sheath in my study consists of a lot of material (wood, leather and metal), each one have different physical and chemical properties, so have different affected by deterioration factors. Those different materials beside each other cause extra deterioration phenomena.

The famous factors of deterioration are Oscillation humidity & Temperature, light (U.V&IR), biological influences and pollutants in surrounding air, each archeological material affected different as it indoor or outdoor [25]. Those factors cause weakness of leather, [26] deformation and loss mechanical properties especially density for wood, [27] corrosion and rust for metal which cause change in composition and its color [28].

The sheath describe; wood is the basic support of the sheath in the same length 85.5 cm (Figure 3-A). The metal in the front 17 cm and separated metal part 13 cm length (Figure 3-C), the distance between two suspending loops 11 cm and wide for each one 3 cm. the wood under separated part have dirt and unknown adhesive (Figure 3-E). The leather has dust on it and suffers from dry and loses parts beside metal parts and inner line of gathering wood parts (Figure 3-b, d). Metal parts have rust and change color. The rust under the gold decoration made it fell off (Figure 3-A, C, d). He was caught while smuggling, Case No. 2829 of 1995, Cairo Airport. Then it was placed in the storage of the Museum of Islamic Art.

Methods Digital Microscope

USB Microscope 5-500 X magnify.

Microbial Investigation

I take Swabs from wood, leather and metal. Swabs were cultured on plates of cellulose, protein, Dox and nutrient agar media. Microorganisms’ identification carried out at Laboratory of Microbiology, Grand Egyptian museum, Ministry of Antiquities with optical microscope.

Attenuated Total Reflectance with Infra-Red Radiation spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR)

It is a technique for fast and non-destructive method to obtain IR spectra to identify organic material [29]. The device use is Platinum-ATR, BRUKER, 2014, (with library software), In Islamic Art Museum.

X-Ray fluorescence (XRF)

I used portable X-Ray Fluorescence (pXRF), Niton, Model XLt 592 GKV, Series 8138 with software version 4.2E, (USA), in National Research Centre.

Scanning Electron Microscope with EDX unit. (SEM-EDX)

The devise is QUANTA 3D 200i, FEI (SE Detector R580), in Grand Egyptian museum, Ministry of Antiquities.

X-Ray Diffraction (XRD)

The equipment model X’Pert PRO with Secondary Monochromator, Cu-radiation (λ=1.542Å) at 45 K.V., 35 M.A. and scanning speed 0.04/sec. with ICDD files. The Ministry of Petroleum, Central Laboratories Sector.

Results

According to historical study of swords the sheath belongs to Othman empire; in the period between appear this kind 1800 and 1922 A.D. the collapse of Othman empire.

Digital Microscope

The picture was taken by USB Digital Microscope showed dryness of leather, cracks and missing parts, crack in wood under leather (Figure 4), it also cleared the kind of leather is snake leather (Figure 5) By compared with references [30,31,32,33].

The pictures were taken for metal show dirt like crust in the end of front metal part, suspending loops and edge of separated metal part. (Figure 6) The pictures taken for gilded part of metal show the metal was scratched before gilded by gold paper not gold solution. (Figure 7) USB Microscope declared dryness and cracks in adhesive on wood under separated metal part, (Figure 8).

Microbial Investigation

The isolations microorganisms were identifying by Optical Microscope after cultured and grow on four media mentioned before, the results showed Microbacterium imperial for metal, Bacillus jeotgali, Microbacterium imperial, Micrococcus lutus and Kocuria turfanensis as a bacteria in addition Arthroderma curreyi and Chaetomium funicola as fungi for leather, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus ustus and Chaetomium tetrasporum for wood and Microbacterium imperial for surrounding air (Table 1), classified as Bactria and fungi in (Figures 9, 10).

(ATR-FTIR) results:

As non-destructive method to obtain IR spectra, it was analyzed the adhesive on wood under separated metal part by compared with library in device, the result is animal glue. (Figure 11) The leather of sheath had analyzed also (Figure 12).

X-Ray fluorescence (XRF)

The rusts were analyzed as in (Figures 13, 14, 15) and showed the presence of iron, copper and zinc metals in a large percentage, in addition to the presence of some impurities Pb and Au. Gold is high percentage in Figure 15 due to the sample place.

(SEM-EDX) analysis

This analysis give very magnify with high resolution picture so could see dirt on leather (Figure 16-b) and damage in wood cells on back of adhesive crust fall (Figure 16-d). Analysis is determined O and C in all patterns which indicate to exist of oxides and carbonate. The results appear Fe, Cu, Zn, Ca, Cl, Si, and S elements in different percent plus impurities of Na, Al and Mg elements Figures (17-22). The Chloride element is active and cause rusts.

X-Ray Diffraction (XRD)

For small samples I put rust of the front metal part, suspending loops and separated metal part together. The rust from metal parts were analyzed, the results appeared compounds of Magnetite, Iron Sulfide, Copper Sulfide, Calcite, Silica, Zinc Sulfate and Paratacamite as in (Table 2), Figure 21.

Discussion

The evidences of the sheath curved shape and decorative with crescent and eight point star return it to Othman period, [18] exactly from 1800 the time of beginning this kind appears [12] to1922 AD the collapse of Othman empire. The sheath made basic support from one piece of wood then divide it in half lengthwise. The shape of a sword is carved into the wood each half. The two half piece of wood together by glue and covered with leather and metal parts [5,8].

Digital USB Microscope pictures showed dryness, cracks and missing parts of leather beside metal parts due to different expansion and contraction between metal and leather [25]. Snake leather is too sensitive and thin, so rust of metal made leather dried fast and easy to fall when meat the expansion and contraction of wooden support under it. The missing part of leather on curved edge of the sheath due to old use. The crack in leather between two suspending loops is because of tensile strength and dry of leather. The wooden support is thin in the end under metal separated part Figure 3-e, with light color Figure 4 and have homogeneous structural Figure 16-d that indicate to Beech wood [34,35].

The pictures with USB Microscope appear technique of gilded part on metal, it was happened by scratched surface and Press on gold paper to stick, that is clear in print of cloth press with it (Figure 7). the metal part in the end of the sheath may take off for two reasons; lose the adhesive its properties by dryness and Friction between that part with sword hand. The ATR-FTIR spectra of glue resemble to spectra of leather and that is logical, because of animal glue made from animals’ leathers and bone [36].

By analyses result of XRF pattern found Fe, Cu and Zn elements. Those results lead to say that metal consist of alloy from Brass alloy and add iron to it. . In the bronze age rarely alloy is pure, the old manufacturer add iron to gain stronger alloy and resistant to corrosion [37]. Ancient times zinc was an additive on metals since 16^th century. Zinc add to Copper to produce Brass alloy, to prevent rust exist [38]. Because of the metal is alloyed of Brass and iron was added, so manufacturer use casting molds way for metal parts in the sheath [39].

Analysis with SEM-EDX shows elements in major presence C, O, Zn, Cl, Si, minor elements Fe, Cu, Ca, Al, traces of Mg, Na, as in Table 3. By analyses XRD pattern of rust product, Table 2, Figure 23 and compare SEM-EDX it is clear that the sheath was exposing to humidity which cause rust products. It is clear Limonite and magnetite caused by high humidity [22]. Limonite (FeO(OH)·_nH₂O) is amorphous [40,41], so did not appear in XRD pattern put under USB-Microscope it is obvious Figure 6. The humidity cause Paratacamite Cu₂(OH)₃Cl. Chlorine ion could exist by sea especially exist of Na element or use salt and chlorine solution [42,43] for cleaning and disinfectant the sheath and its sword after use.

Al and S elements refer use of Alum Al(SO₄)₂.12H₂O which is preservative material [44] it could be used for cleaning the sheath and its sword after war. Alum was used in Ancient time as a tanning for leather [8], it could be used for tanning snake leather of the sheath. Alum used also to conservation wood in the beginning 1900’s. [45,46] so it could be used for this reason before entering the store of Islamic Art Museum. That interpretation exist of Al element in all structure of the sheath and made it logic exist of S element which cause rust of iron in Iron Sulfide FeS, Zinc in Brass alloy Zinc Sulfate ZnSO₄ and copper as Copper Sulfide Cu₂S. It is known that iron rusts fast than copper so it is clear Fe in most samples in Table 3, but Cu not [47]. Mg element is impurities in Alum, Calcite CaCO₃ and Silica SiO₂ are dirts from ancient use of the sheath and its sword.

There are deterioration circle among the sheath component, wood and leather attract humidity that make metal rusted. The rust of metal cause dryness of leather and fall parts especially beside metal parts, wood and adhesive also affected by rust become weak and had cracks and lose the adhesive its properties caused separated end metal part. Therefore Toxicity of rust compounds the only microbe exists on metal is Microbacterium imperial which actually exists in surrounding air Table 1.

Conclusion

The sheath I studied return to late period of Othman empire 1800-1922 A.D. It is have complex structure of three different materials (wood, leather and metal). The sheath techniques is, made basic support from wood then covered with leather and fixed metal parts in front and end with decorative support metal strip and suspending loops. The different material of the sheath causes a lot of deterioration. Leather and wood organic materials so they hygroscopic attract humidity that make metal rusted. The rust causes dryness and fall parts of leather. Rust affected on wood make it fragile easy to attack with bacteria and fungi. By studying leather it is snake leather. Microbial examination appear Microbacterium imperial, Bacillus jeotgali, Micrococcus lutus, Kocuria turfanensi as bectria and Aspergillus fumigatus, Chaetomium funicola, Arthroderma curreyi, Aspergillus ustus, Chaetomium tetrasporum as fungi.

Analysis with ATR-IR showed that the adhesive used is animal glue. The analysis with XRF, SEM-EDX and XRD proved that the metal is alloy from Brass and iron was added. The rusts products and its color are Limonite (Yellow to brown(, magnetite and Iron Sulfide (black) for iron, Paratacamite (light green) and Copper Sulfide (black) for copper, Zinc Sulfate, Calcite and Silica (white).

Acknowledgements

This study was conducted as part of the research ‘Miocene Hominoids and Palaeoenvironment in East Africa’ (Grant-in- Aid for Scientific Research: International Scientific Research No. 63041082) and for orangutans as part of “Basic Research C (National) “Diversity of Hominids and Orangutans in the Pleistocene of Southeast Asia” 24570254 (2012 - 2014)”. The research was conducted as part of the research programme “Basic Research C (domestic) “Diversity of Hominidea and Cercopithecidae in the Pleistocene of Southeast Asia” 24570254 (2012-2016). I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the various researchers involved for their cooperation in the survey. The author would like to thank Prof. Yuzuru Hamada of the Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Prof. Yutaka Kunimatsu from the Faculty of Economics, Ryukoku University, Dr. Daisuke Shimizu and Dr. Yuta Shintaku of the Japan Monkey Center for their help in collecting the great apes. I would like to thank Dr Nobuko Kuze of the National Museum of Nature and Science and Dr. Asako Kanamori of the Center for the Evolutionary Origins of Human Behavior, Kyoto University (EHUB) for providing me with much information on orangutan ecology.