In Situ Conservation Program

A major goal of this component was to carry out, for one or more houses that feature mosaics, an in situ conservation program that could serve as a model for conserving and presenting an entire archaeological structure and its architectural decoration.

Part of the conservation implementation component focused on the major Roman-period house, Maison de la Chasse. The house, which includes underground-level rooms around a peristyle, has been the object of structural and drainage interventions by the World Monuments Fund.

Conservation interventions on mosaics and wall plasters throughout the house have been carried out by Conservation Institute–trained Institut National du Patrimoine technicians with assistance and supervision from the Bulla Regia project team.

Public presentation of the house allows visitors to explore it and to view the most significant mosaics without walking directly on any mosaic pavement. Selected mosaics are reburied as part of the visitor management of the house.

Maintenance of the wall remains of the house has also been carried out with INP site personnel following the principle of minimum intervention and with the use of compatible lime-based mortars, consistent in approach to the conservation of the mosaics and wall plasters.

The result is an example of best practice in the conservation of the remains of an entire ancient building, including structural elements such as walls and columns, and decorative surfaces such as mosaics and wall plasters.