ASPECTE ALE RESTAURĂRII MATERIALULUI ARHEOLOGIC DESCOPERIT LA ALBA IULIA - RECEA
RESTORATION ASPECTS OF THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL MATERIAL DISCOVERED IN ALBA IULIA – RECEA

Summary/Abstract: One of the methodological and practical aspects triggered by the valorization of the archaeological material discovered in Alba Iulia - Recea (Monolit) was its primary processing, restoration and conservation. The archaeological finds preserved within some habitation complexes, garbage or provision pits were laid as funerary inventory in graves, or were scattered throughout the surface of habitation levels, factors which led to their covering with layers of soil, an essential fact for the degradation of which these were discovered. The ceramics discovered in great quantities underwent standard treatments to remove soil depositions and of chemical nature, the next procedures being assemblage, filling the gaps and chromatic integration. For the objects made of iron, soil depositions and superficial corrosion products were removed by dry mechanical cleanings with instruments, for massive pieces being also applied, in some cases, abrasive cleaning at a pressure of 4 atmospheres, followed by chemical stabilization in sodium sulfite, neutralisation and conservation by tannic acid application and coating. For bronze objects was preferred preservation of the noble patina, soil depositions and horny corrosion products were removed by manual mechanical cleaning with appropriate devices or MTS for massive finds. Subsequently, these underwent a treatment of chemical stabilization in an alcoholic solution of Benzotriazole 3%, followed by drying, removal of solution surplus and impregnation by brushing or immersion in Paraloid 3% lacquer. For objects made of bone, stabilization and adaptation of pieces to the new environment firstly, imposed, slow elimination of humidity so that recrystallization of salts from composition not to lead to the appearance of creaks, a phenomenon which manifests mostly in the case of massive pieces made of animal epiphyses (sceptres). This type of objects was observed for more days in closed plastic bags, evaporation of humidity excess being made only through small orifices. Mechanical depositions of soil and those chemical were removed by dabbing with a wet sponge or slight mechanical cleanings. Ruptures or fissures were pasted, consolidated by injection with vinyl acetate of different concentrations. Subsequently, they were coated with a layer of Paraloid. A substantial improvement of discovered objects’ state of conservation was achieved through restoration and conservation operations, this allowing a better scientific valorization.

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