Knowledge of Conservation and Restoration

Studying the Mechanism of Creation of Blue and White Underglaze Tiles of Shah Hamzeh's Mausoleum in Qom

Roqiyeh Movahedi Mehrabad

The Shah Hamzeh mausoleum, located in the city of Qom, is a monument from the Safavid period. The eastern porch of this monument was decorated blue and white tiles during the Qajar period. The aim of this article is to introduce the historical monument of Shah Hamzeh and its decorations. In this regard, a sample of the blue and white tiles of the monument was technologically examined using library studies, optical and digital microscope methods, and SEM-EDX and XRD methods. Based on the studies conducted, the paint layer was applied directly to the stone body without a preparatory layer, and then a glass layer was applied on it.
The Shah Hamzeh mausoleum, located in the city of Qom, is a monument from the Safavid period. The eastern porch of this monument was decorated blue and white tiles during the Qajar period. The aim of this article is to introduce the historical monument of Shah Hamzeh and its decorations. In this regard, a sample of the blue and white tiles of the monument was technologically examined using library studies, optical and digital microscope methods, and SEM-EDX and XRD methods. Based on the studies conducted, the paint layer was applied directly to the stone body without a preparatory layer, and then a glass layer was applied on it.

A review of the erosion process resulting from chloride attacks in samples of copper and silver-based artifacts

Given the nature of the chloride ion and its tendency to penetrate the inner layers of the metal, paying attention to it in the field of protection of metal artifacts is of great importance. In this article, the effect of the attacking chloride ion on historical copper and silver-based metals has been discussed, and according to the results of a long-term research project on the pathology of metal artifacts in Iran, various examples of artifacts affected by chloride attacks have been briefly presented and compared. In conducting corrosion studies in the aforementioned project, X-ray imaging, optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, and wet and instrumental analysis methods (EDX, XRD, PIXE) were used to analyze the corrosion process. According to the studies conducted, severe pitting corrosion with progressive conditions was observed in the works of the Rasht Museum, as well as corrosion of the tin-rich phase and its simultaneous release as oxide compounds in many of the mirrors in this museum, which in many cases had a starting point under surface sediments when local conditions were provided. This process in the works in museums in southern Iran with high humidity conditions and with chlorides concentrated in the corrosion products has caused the loss of the metal core in many of the works obtained from Hormuz. The concentration and crystallization of chloride in the corrosion layers and the attacks caused by it in the works of the dry regions of Iran, despite periodic humidity or uncontrolled storage conditions after excavation, is the cause of the loss of the metal core of many of the works obtained from Sites such as Sarm, Qoli Darvish, and Sialk have been affected by chloride attacks through different mechanisms, from chloride penetration into the oxide layer to the dissolution and removal of copper from the outer layers. Silver artifacts obtained from different sites have also been affected by chloride attacks, due to the presence of horn silver chloride compounds (Sialk), severe local corrosion (Hormoz), and intermittent copper deposition and the deposition of its chloride salts (Teppeh-e-Hisar).

Technology of Three Samples of Black-Glazed and Turquoise-Glazed Pottery from Ancient Jorjan

Many artifacts found in the places where ancient communities lived in Jurjan indicate the antiquity of life in this region. Much evidence of Jurjan's importance in historical periods, including the Achaemenid, Sassanid, and Seleucid periods, can be found in inscriptions from that period. During the Seljuk period, Jurjan was the cradle of science, literature, art, and industry in northern Iran, and was one of the country's important centers for glassmaking, pottery, and metalworking, and the use of glazes on pottery. The use of black patterns and turquoise glazes is abundant in pottery objects excavated in Jurjan. In this study, three samples of pottery with this type of glaze in the Jurjan region were examined in terms of technology, and the manufacturing method and materials used in them were studied. In this regard, the glazes were identified using digital microscopy, polarizing optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis. According to microscopic images of the cross-sections of the samples, the glazing method is underglaze and three layers are visible to create the glaze. First, a milky layer called engobe is created on the surface of the pottery, then black patterns are applied on it, and finally a layer of transparent turquoise glaze covers the entire surface.

Conservation of Historical Papers by Using Titanium oxide/Zinc oxide/Cationic Starch Nanocomposites

The most important part of the archives of libraries and museums of each country are the historical papers that can be damage by various factors. Chemical damaging agents of paper such as oxidation and acidic hydrolysis effects have always been a major challenge for refiners and researchers in the field. Nanotechnology is one of the most effective and innovative tools to reduce the rate of degradation. In this study, we tried to use titanium oxide/zinc oxide/cationic starch nanocomposite to prevent the oxidation process. For this purpose, titanium oxide/zinc oxide nanocomposite as well as cationic starch were applied. Herein, in addition to stopping the oxidation process, de-acidification and consolidation were also observed at the same time. Also, in this method by several steps were combined in a single step that could be led to saving in the material consumption and time. Various instrumental analysis such as infrared spectroscopy, electron microscopy images, paper tensile strength measurements and accelerated thermal aging were used to investigate the chemical and physical properties. The results showed that the coating of paper with titanium oxide/zinc oxide/cationic starch nanocomposite in compare with titanium oxide/ zinc oxide nanocomposite and cationic starch was more effective and approved as an antioxidant agent.

Conservation and Restoration of Lime Stucco decorates of the Hunting Ground motif in the Hajj Saleh Bathhouse of Saqqez

Kaveh Bahramzadeh

The Haj Saleh Bathhouse, dating back to the Zand period, is located in the old part of Saqqez city, and its entrance is located in the city's daily market. The bathhouse is built in the Isfahan style and has unique Lime stuccowork decorations. The hunting ground motif is one of the beautiful and important Lime stuccowork motifs in this building, which has suffered a lot of damage and consists of three layers, including two layers of lime and one layer of paint. In this research, the technical identification of the materials used in the aforementioned lime layers was investigated through laboratory studies, and then the damage to the decorations was examined. The following describes the conservation and restoration operations of the hunting ground motif. At this stage, after cleaning by mechanical methods, the detached parts were attached to the support surface by injecting a mixture of gypsum slurry (dental) and 5% Plextol in water, using the cushion method, and were strengthened. Subsequently, the missing parts were restored using a mixture of plaster and 5% Plextol, and the restored parts and discoloration were balanced with watercolor. Finally, the entire surfaces were stabilized with 5% Plextol.

Micro-Observation: Magnifying Hidden Secrets in Historical Artifacts

Archaeological artifacts represent the cultures and civilizations of the past, carrying invaluable information about daily life, beliefs, technology, and social relations of those times. With advancements in technology, new tools and methods have emerged for examining and analyzing these artifacts, providing new insights into their unknown aspects.Micro-observation emphasizes the systematic and detailed examination of artifacts and the use of innovative techniques, playing a key role in the conservation and restoration of cultural and historical objects. This article reviews various techniques of micro-observation, such as microscopic studies, high-resolution imaging, 3D scanning, and spectroscopy analysis, demonstrating how these technologies contribute to a deeper understanding of the initial conditions of materials and patterns of degradation. Additionally, presented case studies illustrate the successful applications of micro-observation in various fields, highlighting its diversity and effectiveness in addressing specific challenges in the conservation and restoration of fragile and valuable objects.

Conservation During the First Season of Archaeological Excavations at the Chogha Zanbil World Heritage Site, Winter 1999

This study investigates and evaluates emergency conservation methods at the Chogha Zanbil archaeological site, focusing on the conservation of excavated features including shafts, shallow grids, and architectural remains. The primary objective of these interventions was to Conservation of Excavated Remains against environmental factors such as moisture, erosion, and gradual decay, either temporarily or over extended periods. The research methodology involved field observations, assessment of available materials, and reference to previous conservation practices at the site. The use of crushed gravel and sand with a variable grain size between 2 and 20 millimeters was recommended for backfilling trenches and shafts. Care was taken to avoid impurities such as gypsum, anhydrite, and various sulfates, which could contribute to the formation of soluble salts and damage the archaeological features. The protective coverage of shafts, networks, and the exposed brick platform was implemented in a phased manner, based on their depth and archaeological significance. For deeper shafts, stratified layers of gravel and soft soil with appropriate compaction were employed, while shallow grids were covered with a thin layer of gravel followed by backfilling with excavated soil. Special attention was given to the conservation of the inscribed brick platform, which was protected using a base layer of fine sand. The findings indicate that the use of natural materials combined with scientifically informed and experience-based approaches can be effective in the temporary or long-term conservation of excavated features in archaeological sites.

Unveiling the Identities of Rawlinson's Two Companions in the Inscription on the Behistun Rock (1844): Captain James Felix Jones and Mr. A. Hector

The Behistun Inscription, one of the most significant historical documents in the world, was commissioned by Darius the Great of the Achaemenid Empire in the 6th century BCE. In 1844, Henry Rawlinson, a British orientalist, along with two others, inscribed their names on this monument. While Rawlinson's identity is well-documented, the identities of his two companions, Captain James Felix Jones and Mr. A. Hector, have remained obscure. This article, through the examination of historical sources and archival records, seeks to uncover the identities of these two individuals. Captain Jones, a distinguished officer of the Indian Navy and a renowned cartographer, participated in numerous exploratory missions across the Middle East and played a pivotal role in producing detailed maps of the border regions between Iran and the Ottoman Empire. On the other hand, Mr. Hector, whose name is only recorded as Hester beneath the inscription and in all written sources, has no available information beyond his association with Rawlinson. He likely served as a researcher or scientific companion during this expedition. This research demonstrates that the collaboration of these three figures marked a significant step in deciphering the Behistun Inscription and advancing the fields of archaeology and Middle Eastern history, highlighting the efforts of renowned experts in this historical and cultural endeavor.