Fragility and Durability. Problems and Techniques of the Archaeological Conservation Campaigns

Abstract

Our restoration project treated ancient buildings with the utmost respect. We adopted a “minimum intervention” approach allowing to grasp the general, original perception of the site, while preserving the ruins from further deterioration over time, after having conservated them, without altering their original appearance. After a preliminary survey and data recording phase, our analysis focused on recurrent damages to the buildings’ masonry to define the most effective and less invasive conservation methods, which included cleaning, fixing using compatible material, and filling in only small portions, carefully avoiding over-reconstruction. Typical problems recorded were extensive biological attack and the absence of shelters offering protection from weather and of rainwater drainage. Lack of maintenance was the root cause of erosion, destruction, and eventually local caving in of structures and partial collapses of walls excavated in the 1960s.