Comprehensive approach for the conservation of the mosaic floor of the Saints Cosmas and Damian church of Jerash Greco-Roman city

Part of : Mediterranean archaeology & archaeometry : international journal ; Vol.12, No.1, 2012, pages 43-61

Issue:
Pages:
43-61
Section Title:
Articles
Author:
Abstract:
The mosaic foor of Cosmas and Damian church was unearthed by the Yale University expedition in 1928 - 1929 and since then the mosaic foor has been exposed to the diferent agents of deterioration. In this paper a comprehensive approach of six phases is suggested to minimize the deterioration: documentation, deterioration diagnostics, treatment, conservation and management. Understanding the physical properties of the tesserae using petrographic technique was found to be useful for the understanding and conservation of the mosaic foors' materials. The use of diluted ammonia based solvent is proved to be the best workable treatment to remove the microorganism and to hinder the difusion of the colonization of lichens on the mosaic foors in Jerash. With modifcation to suit local parameters, the comprehensive approach might be applied for mosaic foor with diferent context.
Subject:
Subject (LC):
Keywords:
Mosaic, conservation, petrographic analysis, lichens, Jerash
Notes:
Corresponding author: bilal@hu.edu.jo
References (1):
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