The effects of open shelters on the preservation of limestone remains at archaeological sites
Shelters, as preventive conservation methods, have traditionally been considered a better option than leaving the site exposed. However, there has been limited research on their effect on the preservation of heritage materials and, as a result, there is no clear scientific evidence to support sheltering. This study aims to provide the first rigorous scientific assessment of the effect of lightweight, open shelters on limestone deterioration at archaeological sites. A method based on the use of low-cost environmental monitoring equipment and limestone blocks and tablets (as indicators of decay) has been developed to determine the degree of protection provided by the shelters at the Bishop' Palace (Witney, England) and Hagar Qim (Malta). Preliminary visual assessments of the field sites were followed by 12-18 month exposure trials. Temperature extremes and fluctuations, frost events, relative humidity extremes and fluctuations, NaCl crystallisation events, solar radiation, wetting events, salt content, atmospheric pollutants and dust deposition were monitored. In addition, stone decay was studied by analysing changes in weight, elasticity, surface hardness, ultrasonic pulse velocity, surface colour, moisture
Cabello Briones, Cristina
Excavations (Archaeology) ; Historic buildings--Conservation and restoration ; Monuments--Conservation and restoration ; Limestone ; Stone--Conservation and restoration ; Witney (England)--Buildings ; structures ; etc. ; Malta--Antiquities
The effects of open shelters on the preservation of limestone remains at archaeological sites. Shelters, as preventive conservation methods, have traditionally been considered a better option than leaving the site exposed. However, there has been limited research on their effect on the preservation of heritage materials and, as a result, there is no clear scientific evidence to support sheltering. This study aims to provide the first rigorous scientific assessment of the effect of lightweight, open shelters on limestone deterioration at archaeological sites. A method based on the use of low-cost environmental monitoring equipment and limestone blocks and tablets (as indicators of decay) has been developed to determine the degree of protection provided by the shelters at the Bishop' Palace (Witney, England) and Hagar Qim (Malta). Preliminary visual assessments of the field sites were followed by 12-18 month exposure trials. Temperature extremes and fluctuations, frost events, relative humidity extremes and fluctuations, NaCl crystallisation events, solar radiation, wetting events, salt content, atmospheric pollutants and dust deposition were monitored. In addition, stone decay was studied by analysing changes in weight, elasticity, surface hardness, ultrasonic pulse velocity, surface colour, moisture
effect open shelter preservation limestone remain archaeological_site preventive conservation method traditionally consider good option leave site expose however limited effect preservation heritage material clear scientific evidence_support study aim_provide first rigorous scientific assessment effect open shelter limestone deterioration archaeological_site method base use low_cost environmental monitoring equipment limestone block tablet indicator decay develop determine degree protection provide shelter bishop palace england malta preliminary visual assessment field sit followed exposure trial temperature fluctuation event relative humidity extreme fluctuation event radiation wet event salt content deposition monitor addition stone decay study analyse change weight surface pulse velocity surface colour moisture