Approach to conservation of irregular stone masonry based on archaeological excavations in the Black Sea basin

Abstract

The article presents and describes the methodology of conservation of masonry structures that are architectural monuments discovered as part of the work carried out during archaeological excavations. The authors' experiences presented in the article result from many years of cooperation between the Faculty of Civil Engineering at Warsaw University of Technology, the National Museum in Warsaw and the Antiquity of Southeastern Europe Research Center at the University of Warsaw. Examples of preserved masonry structures come from excavations located in the Black Sea area - from the archaeological site in Tyritake in Kerch on the Crimean Peninsula and Tanais near Rostov-on-Don in Russia. Works on masonry structures located in the area of archaeological excavations are characterized by a unique specificity covering both formal issues, resulting from international standards and agreements regulating the conservation of historic buildings, as well as technical and environmental issues. The basic technical issues include ensuring the safety of further excavation works, protection of masonry structures against the destructive effects of atmospheric conditions and preparing the structure for possible exhibition in archaeological parks organized on the site of excavations. Environmental issues relate to local, social and economic conditions. The article presents the procedures that should be used in the conservation of these types of structures and presents the specific technological and material solutions used in the presented objects.