Conservation of Mosaics in Situ
 

Mosaic pavements constitute a shared cultural inheritance from the Roman world throughout the Mediterranean region. Due to the vast number of mosaics presently at risk, there is an urgency to determine common problems, to promote the exchange of information, and to unify efforts to better conserve these important historic documents and artistic creations of the past. Photo: Vassos Stylianou.

Comparative Exposure Testing
 

The comparative exposure test was implemented in November 1999 at Caesarea, Israel. The objectives of the testing program are to understand, measure, and document the impact of maintenance—in conjunction with other protective interventions—on changes in mosaic condition or on mitigation of causes of deterioration. Photo: Francesca Piqué.

GCI and IAA team members studying one of the mosaics selected for exposure testing. A detailed condition survey of the selected mosaics was undertaken before implementation of the test. On the basis of this survey, the selected mosaics were treated to a comparable stable condition. Photo: Nicky Davidov.

Workers implementing the surface protection intervention, a method of temporary protection for mosaics. The mosaic surface was covered with successive layers of plastic netting, geotextile, sandbags, and, lastly, a 10 cm layer of sieved soil. Half of this mosaic will be regularly uncovered as part of the monitoring and maintenance plan. Photo: Francesca Piqué.

An unconsolidated mosaic fragment exposed to visitor traffic. These images, taken less than a month apart, show the rapid changes in condition of this unstable mosaic and illustrate the importance of maintenance to stabilize the fragment and reduce the rate of its deterioration. Photos: Gaetano Palumbo.

Evaluation of the Orpheus Mosaic
 

The condition of the re-laid Orpheus mosaic after 15 years was assessed in 2004 to gauge the effectiveness of the re-laying technique and materials, and of the shelter in protecting the mosaic. Photo: Niki Savvides.

A prototype for a modular, temporary protective shelter was built over the Orpheus mosaic in 1989. Long after its intended life-span, the shelter is still in situ and was assessed in 2004.

Technician Training, Tunisia
 

Trainees receiving classroom instruction on mosaic stabilization from conservator instructor, at Nabeul in Tunisia. Photo: Elsa Bourguignon

Measured drawing exercise during documentation training at the site of Grands Thermes, Makthar, Tunisia. Photo: Elsa Bourguignon.

Trainees carrying out surface cleaning of a mosaic before stabilization treatments at Maison des Nymphes, Nabeul, Tunisia. Photo: Elsa Bourguignon.

Trainee stabilizing the edge of a mosaic by resetting detached tesserae at Maison des Nymphes, Nabeul, Tunisia. Photo: Elsa Bourguignon.

Instructor and trainees carrying out the filling of a large lacuna in pavement with lime-based mortar at Maison des Nymphes, Nabeul, Tunisia. Photo: Elsa Bourguignon.

Trainee conducting stabilization treatments using lime-based mortar at Jebel Oust, Tunisia. Photo: Elsa Bourguignon.

Trainees protecting a mosaic pavement with temporary reburial in sand over a separation layer at Maison de Neptune, Thuburbo Maius, Tunisia. Photo: Elsa Bourguignon

Khirbet Minya/ Horvat Minnim
 

The 8th century Umayyad site of Khirbet Minya/Horvat Minnim on the Sea of Galilee is the venue for a management planning initiative for archaeological sites with mosaics. Photo: Frank Long.

The mosaics at Khirbet Minya/Horvat Minnim are among the most significant features of the well-preserved palace and they attest to the end of the long tradition of mosaics in the eastern Mediterranean. Photo: Frank Long.