Compatibility Of Conservation Interventions In Archaeological Sites-Theoretical Background And Practical Perspectives

摘要

Conservation interventions in archaeological sites,whatever the object and the intervention are,cannot be taken as a common technical matter.They bear a unique character for being operated in objects of relevant cultural significance and impossible to be repeated.Authenticity and integrity are the key-contents of the object to be respected and compatibility can be the operative concept for guiding the operators in crossing the intricate frontier between technology and cultural values.In this framework,compatibility should not be restricted to the material aspects of the problem,but it rather has to encompass other components such as socio-cultural and operational issues.In spite of the different nature of these components,they can be integrated in a conceptual model to constitute an operative tool for achieving the best conservation practices.The model sustains that compatibility reasoning is important and can be taken into account in all phases of a conservation intervention,from the initial pre-diagnostic to the design and implementation phases.The paper addresses the theoretical background of the concept and of its relation with other related concepts of use in conservation intervention,such as effectiveness,harmfulness and reversibility.It also addresses the methodology developed in the framework of the European research project PRODOMEA for turning this concept into an operative tool in the conservation practice.Finally,it will go through the sequential steps that may constitute the ideal process to be followed in conservation interventions highlighting the topics where compatibility issues are present and where the compatibility approach can help to reaching better results.