Page 86 - Studia Universitatis Hereditati, vol 10(2) (2022)
P. 86
le 3: In situ display of archaeological remains: issues, principles, parameters and possible procedures.
Issues specifically related to in situ display of archaeological remains
• The state of conservation of archaeological remains is mostly fragmentary (in some cases only minimal parts of the original
buildings or features survived – there are very few examples where the original substance is preserved almost in its entirety, like
in Akrotiri or Pompeii and other sites of the Vesuvian area);
• In most cases there is no proper documentation showing the original appearance of the archaeological structures, i.e. building
documentation or similar, which would allow a matching reconstruction of the original (there are several exceptions, for ex-
ample more recently dated archaeological heritage for whom building documentation, including drawings and photographs,
can be found in archives);
• Archaeological sites are often multi-period phenomena, where the layout and function of the structures and other features had
changed from one period or phase to another;
• Original building materials have different conservation needs, and some cannot survive if exposed to air, rain, sunlight, tem-
perature changes, etc.; besides different types of physical display, the possibility of additional protective structures should be
considered.
Principles to be respected in conservation/restoration works
• Authenticity (authenticity of the remains has to be preserved);
• Compatibility (materials used for conservation and restoration works have to be compatible with the original ones);
• Reversibility (materials used for conservation and restoration works have to be reversible);
• Minimal intervention (conservation and restoration interventions have to be as limited as possible).
Parameters influencing the decision how to in situ display archaeological remains
• Type, size, materials and state of conservation of the archaeological remains;
• Quantity and quality of information about the archaeological remains;
• Maintenance capacities;
• Available budget.
Possible procedures for in situ display of archaeological remains
• Conservation, i.e. consolidation;
• Integration;
• Reconstruction;
• Anastylosis;
• Translocation;
• Integration of original features using alternative elements;
• Substitution of original features using alternative elements.
studia universitatis her editati, letnik 10 (2022), številk a 2 / volume 10 (2022), number 2 86
hereditati
high level of authenticity, which has an intrinsic Figure 3: Rijeka (Croatia), display of the consolidated
value for most visitors, as visitors stay in queues structures of the late Roman principia within the city cen-
to see original art works, not their reproductions. tre (photo Petar Fabijan).
However, it does not facilitate direct reading or
interpretation of the remains, but this issue can
be supported and solved by adopting proper in-
terpretative media. It also leaves the original sub-
stance almost exposed to the effects of weather
(Table 4; fig. 3), which can be overcome by apply-
ing protective structures.
Integration is normally performed by add-
ing small parts to the original structure in order
to provide stability (e.g. by filling in gaps with-
in walls), better protection (e.g. by adding a wall
topper to seal the original part of the wall), and
improved water drainage (e.g. by adding a sloped
Issues specifically related to in situ display of archaeological remains
• The state of conservation of archaeological remains is mostly fragmentary (in some cases only minimal parts of the original
buildings or features survived – there are very few examples where the original substance is preserved almost in its entirety, like
in Akrotiri or Pompeii and other sites of the Vesuvian area);
• In most cases there is no proper documentation showing the original appearance of the archaeological structures, i.e. building
documentation or similar, which would allow a matching reconstruction of the original (there are several exceptions, for ex-
ample more recently dated archaeological heritage for whom building documentation, including drawings and photographs,
can be found in archives);
• Archaeological sites are often multi-period phenomena, where the layout and function of the structures and other features had
changed from one period or phase to another;
• Original building materials have different conservation needs, and some cannot survive if exposed to air, rain, sunlight, tem-
perature changes, etc.; besides different types of physical display, the possibility of additional protective structures should be
considered.
Principles to be respected in conservation/restoration works
• Authenticity (authenticity of the remains has to be preserved);
• Compatibility (materials used for conservation and restoration works have to be compatible with the original ones);
• Reversibility (materials used for conservation and restoration works have to be reversible);
• Minimal intervention (conservation and restoration interventions have to be as limited as possible).
Parameters influencing the decision how to in situ display archaeological remains
• Type, size, materials and state of conservation of the archaeological remains;
• Quantity and quality of information about the archaeological remains;
• Maintenance capacities;
• Available budget.
Possible procedures for in situ display of archaeological remains
• Conservation, i.e. consolidation;
• Integration;
• Reconstruction;
• Anastylosis;
• Translocation;
• Integration of original features using alternative elements;
• Substitution of original features using alternative elements.
studia universitatis her editati, letnik 10 (2022), številk a 2 / volume 10 (2022), number 2 86
hereditati
high level of authenticity, which has an intrinsic Figure 3: Rijeka (Croatia), display of the consolidated
value for most visitors, as visitors stay in queues structures of the late Roman principia within the city cen-
to see original art works, not their reproductions. tre (photo Petar Fabijan).
However, it does not facilitate direct reading or
interpretation of the remains, but this issue can
be supported and solved by adopting proper in-
terpretative media. It also leaves the original sub-
stance almost exposed to the effects of weather
(Table 4; fig. 3), which can be overcome by apply-
ing protective structures.
Integration is normally performed by add-
ing small parts to the original structure in order
to provide stability (e.g. by filling in gaps with-
in walls), better protection (e.g. by adding a wall
topper to seal the original part of the wall), and
improved water drainage (e.g. by adding a sloped
