A study was conducted to determine the best type of impregnant to be used for the consolidation of a set of Egyptian limestone bas-reliefs, the Abydos reliefs. These reliefs had been previously treated by various methods, mainly by paraffin impregnation or the application of oil-based coats to stop the efflorescence of salts. The damage produced by these salts, primarily NaC, is compounded by the fact that the extremely fine-grained, clay containing limestone is cross-bedded with internal laminations of approximately 20°. Test specimens of a similar Egyptian limestone were impregnated with silanes or pre polymerized methyl methacrylate. Some of these specimens were first treated with paraffin to simulate the former consolidation attempts on the Abydos reliefs. The specimens were then studied in thin-sections by light microscopy and in sawed and fractured sections by scanning electron microscopy. The different degrees of penetration and consolidation are discussed. See also AATA 16-1633, 21-914, and 21-966.