Conservation of the mosaic of the Transfiguration at Saint Catherine's

The Monastery of St. Catherine on Mount Sinai was built under the Byzantine emperor Justinian in the sixth century, on a site that had been venerated long before as the place where Moses encountered God in the form of the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-10). In the fourth century AD, a small shrine had stood there, built at the request of the Empress Helena, the mother of Costantine. For centuries, the high number of pilgrims, monks and hermits who had come to honor this holy place had endured the uninterrupted harassment of raiders and the harsh circumstances of the desert. This paper describes the conservation intervention of the mosaic of the Transfiguration, located in the apse of the basilica of the Monastery of St. Catherine's, as well as the methodological choices that have led to the conservation strategy that was adopted. As with all works of art, mosaics do not enjoy eternal life because of their very nature; to the contrary, they are fragile and need care and attention. Alarmed by clear signs of decay in the mosaic, the monastic community of St. Catherine's embarked on a conservation program and entrusted the work to the CCA, Centro di Conservazione Archeologica. The treatment, which began in November 2005, has been long, delicate and complex.

Download Nardi-Zizola_2013_Sinaiticus.pdf (1.25 MB)

Una nuova tomba dipinta della necropoli di Sa Pala Larga (Bonorva)

Recenti indagini hanno portato alla scoperta di un importante ipogeo, ricco di decorazioni soprattutto dipinte nella necropoli di Sa Pala Larga di Bonorva in Sardegna, che già in passato aveva restituito significativi esempi di arte funeraria prenuragica. L’articolo descrive la necropoli e la sequenza stratigrafica dello scavo della tomba. Vengono esposti anche gli elementi descrittivi dell’architettura e della decorazione del monumento. Infine, si analizzano le condizioni conservative delle pitture.

Download Costanzi-Cobau Sartor Usai_2011_Una nuova tomba dipinta della necropoli di Sa Pala Larga (Bonorva).pdf (1.2 MB)

Restoration of the 'Mosaic of the Transfiguration' in St. Catherine Monastery on Mount Sinai

The Monastery of St. Catherine on Mount Sinai was built under the Byzantine emperor Justinian in the sixth century AD, on a site that had been venerated long before as the place where Moses encountered God in the form of the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-10). For centuries, the high number of pilgrims, monks and hermits who had come to honor this holy place had endured the uninterrupted harassment of raiders and the harsh circumstances of the desert. Located at the height of 1.500 meters in a ravine at the foot of the Gebel Musa, where Moses received the Tables of the Law, the massive, fortfied walls of the monastery both enclose and protect the life of the monks who live there, their daily routine governed by the ringing of the church bells that call them to prayer from sunrise to sunset, according to the monastic traditions of the Greek Orthodox rite. The buildings within the walls form an ancient city, with manifold architectural styles from various ages. Only a short distance from the church's bell tower, stands the minaret of a small mosque: evidence of the peaceful coexistence between religions and peoples.

Download Nardi_2011_Restoration of the Mosaic of the Transfiguration in St. Catherine Monastery on Mount Sinai.pdf (2.26 MB)

Conservation in archaeology: case studies in the Mediterranean region

Roberto Nardi explores developments in the field of archaeological conservation, especially in regards to documentation and the study of monuments, preventive conservation, training, and public outreach. Conservation in archeology is a practice that is undergoing a continuous evolution, both in principles and in techniques. This article illustrates the contribution that the CCA, Centro di Conservazione Archeologica, provided to this process during the last 30 years. The conservation of the arch of Septimus Severus in the Roman Forum and of the Capitoline Museums in Rome, the mosaics conservation in Israel, the field conservation in Zeugma, Turkey, the conservation of the mosaic of the Trasfiguration in the monastery of Saint Catherine in Sinai, the conservation program of the collection of prehistoric sculptures of Monte Prama in Sardinia, Italy, are presented and critically reviewed.

http://www.archaeological.org/news/hca/3328.

Download Nardi_2010_Conservation in Archaeology.pdf (1.3 MB)

Mosaic Conservation: Fifty Years of Modern Practice

Mosaic conservation practice went through a significant evolution in the past decades. Fifty years ago mosaics were considered as single objects, without a context, and interventions were carried out without adequate planning. Few options were considered in conservation strategies, and detachment was basically the only options taken into consideration. Professionals working on mosaics were essentially craftsmen, workmen and builders; the materials used were limited to cement, gypsum and glues. This presentation debates the change of philosophy and practice of mosaic conservation that shaped the current state of the art in the profession.

Download de Guichen Nardi_Mosaic Conservation- Fifty Years of modern Practice_2008.pdf (1.35 MB)

Summary Conclusions and Recommendations of the 9th Conference of ICCM

The conclusions of the IX conference of the ICCM, International Committee for the Conservation of Mosaics, represent an overview of the main issues, trends, and observations that emerged during the various thematic sessions. It is hoped that this overview provides some indication of the major points raised at the conference and illustrates significant trends of thought.

Download Nardi Teutonico_2008_Summary Conclusions and Recommendations of the 9th Conference of ICCM.pdf (578.06 KB)

Mosaic Conservation. Fifty Years of Modern Practice

Mosaics conservation is a practice as old as mosaic-making itself. We can see today ancient mosaics showing patches made as a maintenance practice when the floors were still in use. We are also aware that restoration was an art widely used in past centuries by antiquarians. We might also refer to brilliant examples of restorations implemented during the first decades of the 20th century.

Download de Guichen_Nardi_2006_Mosaic Conservation.pdf (1.55 MB)

Madrasa Amiriya. The Conservation of the Mural Paintings

The Amiriya Madrasa of Radà is one of the most important and significant monuments of Yemen. Constructed in 1504, it represents a jewel of Islamic art and architecture with its three built levels, 600 m² of tempera wall paintings and extensive, elaborate plaster decorations. It is notable for the balance achieved between the size of the structures and the refinement of the details. In 2000, the CCA, Centro di Conservazione Archeologica, was asked to restore the wall paintings that decorate the Prayer Hall, as well as to train six Yemeni technicians how to maintain the wall paintings. Published by the CCA in Arabic, English and Italian at the end of the treatment, the book describes the Amiriya Project, documents the work phases, analyses the original working process and the final results obtained in the conservation of the cycle of wall paintings that adorn the Prayer Hall. The volume is accompanied by a catalogue of the decorative elements of the cycle and technical forms illustrating types of deterioration. 

The text is available for download in English and Italian.

Download AlRadi_Nardi_Zizola_Amiriya Madrasa_2005eng.pdf (16.03 MB)
Download AlRadi_Nardi_Zizola_Amiriya Madrasa_2005ita.pdf (15.93 MB)

The Documentation during conservation of the mosaics of Zeugma, Turkey

A large and complex operation such as the one implemented in Zeugma, Turkey, must be supported by an efficient management plan. A key element of such a plan is detailed, integrated and digitized documentation. This will report the current state of conservation, technical and ancient features, and conservation treatments. Problems, solutions and techniques used will describe the documentation implemented during the intervention in progress on 800 m² of mosaics.

Download De Felice_The documentation during conservation_ICCM 2002.pdf (448.65 KB)

Conservation and Maintenance of Floor Mosaics in Archaeological Areas

In recent years, in the field of conservation and protection of excavation areas, there has been a growing conviction that preventive conservation – especially maintenance – is one of the most suitable tools for effective and extensive conservation, as it is the most practicable in cost-benefit terms. This discipline, which has only recently appeared on the conservation horizon, has its origins in antiquity. It offers a valid reply to the disproportion between the exigencies of conserving an ever-increasing amount of heritage and the growing demand for access by new generations of visitors. In this article, techniques for the conservation and maintenance of mosaics in situ in archaeological areas will be discussed. This will be done by revisiting the sources and describing the modern techniques, proposing a methodological approach and supplying evaluations of the techniques, costs and results obtained. Archaeological mosaics displayed in museums, albeit numerous and not without maintenance problems themselves, will not be discussed, as they call for different conservation considerations and treatment techniques.

Download Zizola_Conservation and maintenance of floor mosaics_ICCM 2002.pdf (909.74 KB)

Aperto per Restauro. Comunicare la conservazione

In September 2001, a restoration worksite was opened in the Salone of the Palazzo Nuovo of the Capitoline Museums to treat two Roman statues from Hadrian's Villa: the Old Centaur and the Young Centaur. During the restoration, performed by the CCA, Centro di Conservazione Archeologica, the Salone of the museum was not closed to the public. We seized the opportunity to show all the phases of the work: a platform was equipped for the conservators to work on, and various cultural activities were organized at the same time in order to foster understanding of the treatment. The name "Open for Restoration" was given to the worksite and those related initiatives. This paper describes in Italian the initiatives organized during this conservation program.

Download Costanzi Cobau_2004_Aperto per restauro.pdf (1.05 MB)

Zeugma: l’intervento di conservazione, 2000-2003

Zeugma è il nome dato a due città, Apamea e Seleucia, fondate da Seleuco I (312-281 a.C.), sulle rive opposte del fiume Eufrate nel sud est dell’Anatolia, Turchia. Il sito, individuato nel 1970 dall’archeologo tedesco Jorg Wagner, è stato oggetto negli anni ottanta e novanta di alcune indagini archeologiche, condotte da David Kennedy dell’Università di Western Australia, da Catherine Abadie-Reynal dell’Università di La Rochelle e dal Ministero della Cultura della Turchia - Museo di Gaziantep. Negli stessi anni, Zeugma si è trovata coinvolta nel grande progetto di sfruttamento idroelettrico della regione, che ha comportato la costruzione di alcune dighe. Una di queste, la diga di Birecick, con il suo invaso, avrebbe durante l’estate del 2000 sommerso il 30% della superficie dell’antica città. A maggio del 2000, grazie anche agli eccezionali ritrovamenti di reperti mobili e di due ville riccamente decorate da affreschi e mosaici, gli sforzi di un editore di un giornale di Gaziantep riescono a far breccia nell’attenzione della stampa internazionale e la richiesta di aiuto per Zeugma inizia a fare rapidamente il giro del mondo. A raccogliere l’appello è il Packard Humanities Institute (PHI), con sede in California, che mette immediatamente a disposizione le risorse economiche ed umane necessarie ad organizzare e coordinare insieme al Ministero della Cultura della Turchia un piano di azione immediata.

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Il restauro conservativo del mosaico di Quintus Calpurnius Eutyches-Zeugma

In October 2002 at Zeugma, Turkey, due to an exceptional lowering of the water level of the artificial lake for technical reasons by the direction of the Birecik dam, one of the largest mosaics ever found there came to light. Being in an unexcavated area, it had not been found during investigations in prior years.  It is a figured polychrome mosaic of 75 m². According to local accounts, it had suffered from an attempted theft in the 1970s, which had succeeded only in part, as discovered later on the site. Two figured panels in the center of the pavement are surrounded by complex, elaborate geometric designs. The mosaic's name derives from one of the Greek inscriptions bearing the name of Quintus Calpurnius Eutyches. This article illustrates the technical aspects of the detachment and conservation treatment of the mosaic.

Download Zizola_2003_Il restauro conservativo del mosaico di Quintus Calpurnius Eutyches-Zeugma.pdf (120.23 KB)

Per una carta della conservazione del mosaico

Da più di 40 anni gli specialisti della conservazione dei siti archeologici si riuniscono per discutere fatti e temi inerenti il patrimonio. Questo sforzo comune si è concretizzato in pubblicazioni quasi sempre corredate di dichiarazioni conclusive che riportavano linee guida metodologiche e raccomandazioni. Da 25 anni il campo professionale si è arricchito di un nuovo strumento specialistico, the International Committee for the Conservation of Mosaics (ICCM). Questo comitato si riunisce ogni tre anni in un convegno che ha prodotto negli anni una consistente letteratura, oggi strumento fondamentale di riferimento per la professione. Allo stesso tempo, al termine di alcuni di questi incontri sono state redatte delle raccomandazioni metodologiche atte a facilitare il raggiungimento dell'obiettivo comune: la conservazione del mosaico. Allo stesso tempo, la vita quotidiana sul campo degli addetti ai lavori è segnata dalle difficoltà grandi e piccole di tutti i giorni. Prima tra tutti quella della mancanza di un testo unico di riferimento al quale rifarsi in caso di incertezza metodologica o comunque l'assenza di uno strumento utilizzabile come documento nel quale tecniche e metodologie siano codificate. Obiettivo del lavoro qui presentato è quello di produrre una analisi preliminare dei materiali già esistenti sotto forma di "raccomandazioni", e a far nascere una piazza comune in grado di fungere da catalizzatore di un dibattito professionale utile a codificare principi e metodologie e a produrre una carta di riferimento.

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Archaeological mosaics: from detachment and transport to museums and storerooms to in situ conservation practice

In the course of a few decades, the discipline of conservation of archaeological mosaics has matured quickly: from detachment and transport to museums and storerooms (done systematically as the only form of safeguard), it has arrived at the theoretical and methodological formulation of in situ conservation, flanked by the development of an approach for damage control. Today, conservation in situ is no longer an experimental field but a well-developed discipline, with a wide range of application, good practice and solid technique. Intervention methods such as detachment and removal of artifacts from the site are seen as urgent remedies to be used, after careful evaluation, only in cases where the risk of loss or destruction cannot otherwise be avoided (risks from theft, urbanization, road works) and when in situ consolidation and conservation have been shown to be ineffective. This paper trace the evolution towards in situ conservation and the application of methodologies infused with respect for history and the nature of the components, with minimum interventions and preventive conservation through various restoration charters, international recommendations and in the professional literature.

Download Nardi Zizola_2011_Archaeological mosaics. From detachment and transport to museums and storerooms to in situ conservation practice.pdf (138.63 KB)

Tourism management of archaeological sites within an urban context: a balanced compromise between preventive conservation and cultural use

The real emergency today and even more tomorrow, will not be in those sites in the urban environment, known, visited and sometimes also maintained, but in the tens of thousands of sites where decay and destruction are everyday events because they have been abandoned, or because they are poorly managed. Sites that yesterday enjoyed a “a certain oblivion”, but today are entering more and more into the big circuit of so called “cultural tourism”. Everyday cultural property suffers irreversible damage due to the lack of even minimal protective measures. This article presents three initiatives carried out by the Centro di Conservazione Archeologica in the field of training, maintenance and raising awareness. The first initiative is relative to a training programme for site directors, that CCA organised for UNESCO financed by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The second initiative is related to the study and application of techniques of maintenance of archaeological structures in sites open to the public. The third and last initiative concerns the raising awareness to themes of fragility of the cultural heritage and its safeguarding. An exhibition entitled “S.O.S. Save Our Sites” made up of 26 panels, divided into three sections, in English and Arabic organised by CCA for the Amman Office of UNESCO is presented.

Download Nardi_2000_Tourism management of archaeological sites .pdf (115.98 KB)

Ostia Antica. Piazzale delle Corporazioni. The maintenance of the mosaic floors

In 1998 the Superintendence of Ostia began a program for the conservation, protection and maintenance of monuments with open air mosaic floors. The Termae dei Cisiarii was the first monument to be treated (1994-96). In 1998, with the introduction of a special law for the 2000 Jubilee, a conservation program was created for the Piazzale delle Corporazioni. This program included the maintenance of the floors and indirect measures of protection such as new paths for visitors. Piazzale delle Corporazioni was one of the main squares of Ostia and is still today a key transit node for visitors. The ancient monument now consists of remains of the walls and about 1900 square metres of pavement. Of these, about 1000 sq. metres are mosaic, some in situ, others detached and laid on a cement base during the 1960s. The remainder is reconstructed in cement. This paper presents the maintenance program of all the floors, carried out during June and July 1998. The techniques, time and costs of the treatment, the conception of informing the public as the work progresses and the planned measures for protection and future maintenance are described.

Download Nardi_1999_Ostia Antica Piazzale delle Corporazioni.pdf (102.73 KB)

The conservation and restoration of the mosaic floor of the Bizantine Church (Western) in the Nabatean town of Mamshit in the Negev desert

During 1994 the CCA, Centro di Conservazione Archeologica, carried out the in situ conservation of the mosaic floors of the Bizantine  Church (Western Church) in the nabatean town of  Mamshit in the Negev Desert. This was a polichrome mosaic of about 80 square meters with geometrical, figurative decorations plus three inscriptions. The two months intervention on site was carried out by a team of 8 conservators and was implemented by using lime based techniques of in situ consolidation. A detailed documentation was carried out to record the consistency of the mosaic, the state of conservation, the treatments carried out.
When the intervention was almost completed the entire church was vandalized one night. The mosaic was heavily damaged and almost all figures and inscriptions destroyed. Local authorities immediately decided to answer with a strong political message and decided for a complete reconstruction of the mosaic. This was possible thanks to the accurate documentation carried out during the conservation intervention. The remaining mosaic was partially lifted, shipped to Rome, restored (or better re-made) and, after two years work, it was brougth back and relayed on site. This paper describes all those phases and concludes presenting the actual programme for future protection and maintenance on the monument.

Download Zizola_1999_The conservation and restoration Mamshit.pdf (125.15 KB)

Conservazione e restauro. I mosaici

In questo articolo si ripercorre il processo evolutivo che ha portato il concetto di "restauro del mosaico" verso la maturazione e l'attuale codificazione di un nuovo approccio chiamato "conservazione del mosaico", procedendo da un'analisi del significato che nella storia è stato attribuito alla decorazione musiva. Col mutare della percezione del valore delle opere dell'antichità, il restauratore é diventato conservatore: il manufatto non viene più "trasformato" e il messaggio dall'antico è mantenuto, evidenziato e trasmesso.

Download Nardi_1998_Conservazione e restauro. I mosaici..pdf (58.54 KB)

The conservation of the mosaics in the thermae of the Cisiarii: technical report

The project for the conservation of the mosaics of the thermae of the Cisiarii represents the practical application of one of the projects conceived in the framework of ICCROM's Forum project. The aim of this programme is to identify a safeguard policy which, once tested on a single archaeological monument, may then constitute a prototype applicable to the conservation of the entire site. The conservation project in question was developed by carrying out a direct intervention on the mosaic floors of the thermae of the Cisiarii and by applying preventive measures of safeguard. Concurrently, major emphasis was placed on offering information to the public in such a way so as to make it an active partner in the project. In this report we will describe all the phases of the project, its technical aspects and its methodological  principles. In conclusion, we will present the results of this experience.

Download Nardi-Zizola_1998_The conservation of the mosaics in the Thermae of the Cisiarii: technical report.pdf (107.45 KB)

Conservation: a direct route to the protection and study of monuments

In this paper, we describe the experience of a private group of conservators working on public commissions in the sphere of monument and stone preservation. Three case studies of treatments performed from 1982-1992 are presented. In describing this experience, carried out in a very limited geographical area, we discuss the structure of the group, its strategy, (ethical and commercial), the commissioning agencies and the way work is assigned. We also examine the types of professionals who contributed to implementing the projects in respect of their technical-scientific training and their institutional positions.

Download Nardi_1997_Conservation A direct route to the protection and study of monuments.pdf (111.34 KB)

Zippori, Israel. In situ conservation of a floor mosaic in polychrome stones and glass paste

During the 1991 excavation campaign of the University of South Florida, directed by Prof. J. Strange, in the National Park of Zippori in Israel, archeologists brought to light the main room of a public Roman building. The floor of the 100 square meter room is a polychrome mosaic dating from the III century A.D. As soon as it was excavated, the mosaic was protected by a temporary covering until the conservation intervention could begin. During the summer of 1995, the CCA, Centro di Conservazione Archeologica, carried out an in situ intervention using conservation techniques that respect both the materials and the technique of the original execution of the mosaic. Synthetic lifting materials were not used. This article will describe the methods and techniques that were used during the intervention. Special emphasis is given to those aspects that are peculiar to in situ conservation, in terms of planning and investment of human and economic resources.

Download Albini Zizola_1996_Zippori In situ conservation of a floor mosaic in polychrome stone and glass paste.pdf (131.66 KB)

Ostia antica. La conservazione dei mosaici delle Terme dei Cisiarii

Il progetto di conservazione dei mosaici delle terme dei Cisiarii rappresenta un'applicazione pratica di uno dei progetti concepiti nell'ambito dell'iniziativa dell'ICCROM (International Center for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property) denominata Forum. Analoghi interventi sono stati realizzati in altri siti archeologici in Italia, Israele, Cipro. Obiettivo di queste iniziative è quello di individuare una politica di salvaguardia che, sperimentata su un solo monumento archeologico, potrà in seguito costituire un prototipo applicabile alla conservazione dell'intero sito. Il progetto di conservazione è stato sviluppato applicando un intervento preliminare diretto sui pavimenti e misure preventive di salvaguardia. Parallelamente è stato dato grande risalto all'informazione del pubblico in modo tale che divenisse parte attiva del programma. Descriveremo in questo articolo tutte le fasi del progetto, gli aspetti tecnici e i principi metodologici. In conclusione verranno presentati i risultati di questa sperimentazione.

Download Albini Costanzi-Cobau Zizola_1996_Ostia Antica La conservazione dei mosaici delle Terme dei Cisiarii.pdf (109.99 KB)

La conservazione dei siti archeologici: strategie, tecniche e strumenti. Il caso del mosaico

Le scelte maturate nell'ambito di un dibattito culturale indirizzano le tecniche operative per la conservazione del mosaico. Per meglio comprendere questo principio, in questo articolo si ripercorre l'evoluzione metodologica nel campo del restauro  di materiali diversi dal mosaico per descrivere la situazione attuale nel settore del mosaico e analizzare le prospettive future della conservazione.
 

Download de Guichen Nardi_1996_La conservazione dei siti archeologici.pdf (116.4 KB)

Zippori, Israel: the conservation of the mosaics of the building of the Nile

Twelve polychrome floor mosaics were found in a 3rd century AD public building in Zippori, Israel, including one of extraordinary quality representing Nilotic scenes. Conservation of the mosaics was carried out in situ as part of a broader project directed by the National Parks Authority of Israel. The public was allowed to watch the conservation work as it happened. This paper describes the treatment of the mosaics: starting with the technical procedures, it then considers the principles and objectives behind the choice of the methods followed and concludes with some general observations.

Download Nardi_1996_Zippori Israel The conservation of the building of the Nile mosaic.pdf (166.29 KB)

Open-heart restoration: raising the awareness of the public

In recent years, restoration projects have more and more often been open to the public. We may say that, in general, there has been an increase in the attention paid by the world of conservation to informing the media and the general public. In this paper we will examine this phenomenon in the light of the experience of the CCA, Centro di Conservazione Archeologica, which in the last ten years has opened its restoration worksites to the public whenever circumstances permitted. Underlying the enterprise of informing visitors is the consideration that every time the public is involved, the results are positive, in both the short and the long term:  in the short term, with a large participation in the initiative; in the long term, with an increased awareness on the subject of conservation. Thus if we believe that the protection of the cultural heritage must be obtained through systems of prevention, then the raising of public awareness is a key element: it will be the citizens themselves who, one day, will feel themselves to be participants in the responsibility and pleasure of protecting the cultural heritage.

Download Nardi_1995_Open heart restoration 2.pdf (103.23 KB)

Preventive conservation of mosaics at archaeological sites

The state of preservation of mosaics in Mediterranean contries can be described with adjectives that range from "terrible" to "catastrophic". This article tries to analyze the problem and proposes some solutions. The problem can be solved only by developping a programme of planning and safekeeping, i.e. by affirming the concept of preventive conservation. Such an approach cannot be improvised: it can only develop as the result of a careful educational process that will effectively train future archaeologists and administrators.

Also available for download in italian.

Download Nardi_1994_Preventive conservation of mosaics at archaeological sites.pdf (863.43 KB)
Download Nardi_1994_Conservazione preventiva del mosaico nei siti archeologici.pdf (94.15 KB)

In situ consolidation of a Roman fresco near Ein Yael, Jerusalem

In the spring of 1990, the Department of Antiquities of Israel carried out an in situ conservation intervention of a Roman fresco from a villa near Ein Yael, located in the vicinity of Jerusalem. The intervention was carried out according to the following principles: in situ consolidation of the fresco; use of products compatible with the original components; application of techniques similar to the ancient ones; use of local products and equipment, roofing and protection against water as preventive measures; and a maintenance program. In the spring of 1992, an examination of the structure confirmed the highly effective intervention.

Available for download in English and Italian.

Download Costanzi Cobau_1993_In situ consolidation of a Roman fresco..pdf (113.08 KB)
Download Costanzi-Cobau_1993_Conservazione in situ di un affresco romano Ein Yael Gerusalemme.pdf (114.28 KB)

Esempi di grafica assistita da computer a fini di documentazione

The graphic documentation of the state of conservation of ancient monuments, and of the conservation processes applied to them, is considered today an essential feature of a serious conservation project. However, such documentation normally produces a vast amount of large-size drawings on paper which is costly to originate and to update; furthermore, it poses serious problems as to handling, storage and consultation. These problems may be solved by the use of computer graphics which allow a rapid update and reproduction of all drawings, once the basic survey data are memorized; furthermore the storage for archival purposes is much easier, considering the small volume that the data occupy in this form. The present paper illustrates some examples, and in particular the "Arch of Septimius Severus", in Rome. In the latter case the computer drawings on which various sets of data were recorded were printed on transparent sheets; this allows to examine drawings one by one or to superimpose a small number of them, in order to explore possible relationships between two or more sets of data.

Download Nardi _1992_Una tecnica grafica assistita da computer per il disegno e archivio di documentazione archeologica.pdf (116.07 KB)

The Roman Forum. On-site conservation of floor surfaces during excavation

Over the last few decades the question of prevention in the field of archaeology has received widespread attention that the need for collaboration between conservator and archaeologist is taken for granted. There was a reciprocal, initial misunderstanding due mainly to various deficiencies in the training of conservators who found themselves working in (ideal) conditions far different from the ideal one they were used to in the laboratory. Here the causes of deterioration are discovered, isolated and removed. Instead, the conservator working with the archaeologist has learned to maneuver in a continually changing environment, where the causes of deterioration are directly linked to the most specific instrument of archaeology itself: the excavation. Archaeological conservation must step away from the concept of "first aid" emergency treatments and consider instead all the prevention and safeguarding operations that take into account the immediate surroundings, and generally have no evident verification.

Download Costanzi Cobau_1990_The Roman Forum. .pdf (91.79 KB)

Critical review of the specialized literature in mosaic conservation

This article present a critical review of the specialized literature as the result of a study carried out during the preparation for the first International Course on the Safeguard of Archaeological Mosaics.  Basing ourselves on the presupposition that technical texts on conservation as well as in any other professional field, are a working and updating tool which different technicians can use regardless of regional distinctions, and that they are also the bases on which new generations of professionals will train, it was decided to analyze this "tool" more in depthThe method used in this research was to carry out an analysis of the texts by emphasizing certain characteristics such as the author, its context, the topics it treats, and the areas of application.  The first part devoted to more general themes such as date of publication, language of the text, professional qualifications of the author, general characteristics of the text, was followed by a more descriptive analysis of the actual mosaic such as the type, size, the geographical position, and the causes of deterioration.  The study ends with a detailed revision of the operations described and of the technical solutions adopted.

The italian translation is also avaialable for download.

Download Nardi_1990_Critical review of the specialized literature in mosaic conservation.pdf (100.07 KB)
Download Nardi_1990_Revisione critica della letterature specializzata in conservazione del mosaico.pdf (102.73 KB)