Restoration Works

In agreement with the Director of the Archaeological Mission, the items found during the 1933-35 campaigns, kept in the stores, were examined. The stored items, which were better preserved, made of bones, glass, bronze, iron and lead were taken into consideration. I then proceeded to carry out the necessary operations for their conservation as follows:

Cleaning

Items made of bone. Removal of extraneous material deposits present on the surface (soil) – materials used: cotton wool, water to which was added a non ionic surface-active agent (neo Desogen);

Glass Items. Removal of extraneous material deposits present on the surface (soil) – material used: cotton wool, methylated spirit;

Iron items. Removal of extraneous material deposits present on the surface (soil, calcareous incrustations) as well as unstable corrosion product – material used: cotton wool, methylated spirit, bristle brush, diluited hydrochloric acid solution (the acid solution was used to remove the calcareous incrustations. The acid was removed by washing with water, immediately followed by dehydration by immersion in methylated spirit);

Bronze items. Removal of extraneous material deposits present on the surface (soil, calcareous incrustations) as well as unstable corrosion product – material used: cotton wool, methylated spirit, bristle brush, scalpel;

Lead items. Removal of extraneous material deposits present on the surface (soil, calcareous incrustations) as well as unstable corrosion product – material used: cotton wool, methylated spirit, bristle brush, EDTA (sodic salt of ethyldiamminotetracetic acid – chelate agent for calcium).

Consolidation

Items made of bone. Material used: Praraloid B72 (acrylic resin) solution at 2% in trichloroethane, soft bristle brush;

Glass Items. Material used:Praraloid B72 (acrylic resin) solution at 2% in trichloroethane, soft bristle brush.

Treatment for the Stabilization of Corrosion

Iron items. Application of a corrosion products converter – materials used: converter (Ferox), soft bristle brush.

Glueing

Items of bone. Glueing of fragments – material used: cyanacrylic adhesive (Attak);

Glass items. Glueing of fragments – material used: cyanacrylic adhesive (Attak);

Iron Items. Glueing of fragments – material used: epoxy adhesive (UHU plus);

Bronze items. Glueing of fragments – material used: epoxy adhesive (UHU plus).

Application of protective agent

Iron items. Material used: Paraloid B72 (acrylic resin) solution at 2% in trichloroethane, soft bristle brush;

Bronze items. Material used: Paraloid B72 (acrylic resin) solution at 2% in trichloroethane, soft bristle brush;

Lead items. Material used: Paraloid B72 (acrylic resin) solution at 2% in trichloroethane, soft bristle brush.

Upon the request of the Director of the archaeological mission, lessons were prepared for the Second and Third Year students of Mdaba Mosaic School. The subject of these lessons, both theoretic and practical, was the first conservation treatment to be carried out on the materials excavated. The materials dealt with were: bone, glass, bronze, iron and silver.

The subject matter was presented as follows:

examination of types of materials usually brought to light during archaeological excavation (bone, glass, iron, bronze, and silver);

the deterioration of materials during the time they are covered with earth;

an introduction to cleaning methods; practical sessions in: cleaning (bone, glass, silver, bronze and iron); consolidation (bone and glass); stabilization of corrosion (iron); application of protective agents (bronze and iron).

Some items found during this year’s archaeological compaign (in iron, bronze, glass and bone) were treated. The followings operations were carried out for theyr conservation: cleaning, consolidation, glueing, treatment for the stabilization of corrosion and the application of protective agents.

The state of conservation of the floor mosaic in the Church of Lot and Procopius at Khirbeet al-Mukhayyat has been examined. It was found necessary to intervene on some parts of the mosaic that were in danger of being destroyed. These parts were veiled with cotton gauze in anticipation of a complete conservation action.