Knowledge of Conservation and Restoration

Technical Analysis of Pottery from the Aliabad Cultural in Southeastern Iran (Mokhtarabad Site, Shahdad)

Yasin Sedghi

This study aims to examine seven pottery sherds attributed to the Aliabad cultural horizon (4th millennium BCE) from the Mokhtarabad site in Shahdad, southeastern Iran. The research focuses on analyzing their structural and mineralogical similarities and differences, identifying the raw and temper materials used, and ultimately determining the origin and manufacturing techniques. Thin-section petrography and X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods were employed for this purpose. All samples exhibit similar petrographic fabrics characterized by fine-grained homogeneous clay matrices. Mineralogically, the pottery contains similar inclusions such as angular quartz grains, plagioclase with polysynthetic twinning, feldspar, fine-grained muscovite, as well as carbonate and calcareous particles. The shared mineralogical features suggest a common source, and comparison with the local geological outcrops supports the conclusion of a regional and indigenous origin for the raw materials used‏.‏

An Integrated Heritage Management Approach: A Perspective on the Safeguarding of Cultural Heritage

Numerous challenges exist regarding the balance and interaction between the tangible needs of cultural heritage and the contemporary and future demands of societies. In the past, each of these domains functioned within separate management systems, following their own organizational paths. Today, however, addressing shared challenges and needs requires the integration of systems and the development of a comprehensive management framework that safeguards cultural heritage—as a testimony of our history and identity—while aligning with present societal requirements and future-oriented urban development. This integration aims to expand political, cultural, social, and economic dimensions within a shared benefit framework. Governments today, with a comprehensive view of cultural heritage as a public common good, are striving to protect heritage and prevent its neglect and disappearance. Consequently, there is a growing need for harmonizing management systems and adopting an integrated heritage management model within institutional structures. The interdependence and convergence of heritage preservation and heritage tourism have led to the emergence of the integrated heritage management approach within the heritage management field, ultimately contributing to the sustainability and development of both heritage and society. In Iran, the concept of integrating management systems remains unfamiliar and has caused significant damage to cultural heritage. Learning from global management experiences and understanding the local context for adapting such approaches can effectively support heritage conservation efforts. This article, using a descriptive-analytical method based on document and literature studies, aims to introduce and emphasize the necessity of an integrated management approach to heritage systems. The objective is to highlight the impact of integrated management on the safeguarding of cultural heritage.

A report Of Conservation and Restoration of the Hunting Scene Stucco Relief in Haj Saleh Bathhouse, Saqqez

Haj Saleh Bathhouse, located in the historical fabric of Saqqez city, dates back to the Zand period. Its entrance is situated in the city's traditional bazaar. The construction style of the building is Isfahani and features unique stucco decorations. One of the notable and significant stucco reliefs in the bathhouse is the hunting scene, which has undergone extensive deterioration. This relief consists of three layers: two lime-based layers and one paint layer.
In this study, through laboratory examination, the materials used in the stratigraphy of the relief were technically identified. Subsequently, the deterioration patterns affecting the artwork were analyzed. The conservation and restoration process of the hunting scene is also detailed: following mechanical and chemical cleaning, delaminated areas were consolidated using an injection method. A slurry made from dental gypsum combined with 5% Plextol in water was injected with the aid of a pillow (bladder) technique to reattach and strengthen the lifted layers.
The missing parts were reconstructed using a mixture of gypsum and 5% Plextol, followed by chromatic reintegration with watercolors to match the surrounding areas and faded pigments. Finally, the entire artwork underwent final consolidation using 5% Plextol solution.

Looking at the Performed Restoration of Some Written Inscriptions in the Historical City of Yazd

Hossein Ahmadi

Among the artistic and historical works of the Islamic era, architectural inscriptions hold a special place due to their connection with architectural spaces, and they have consistently garnered the attention of specialists and experts. These valuable works, created using various materials, are inevitably subject to damage over time. The protection and restoration of inscriptions have long been a significant concern within the conservation community. Despite numerous conferences, congresses, and the development of various principles and theories in the field of restoration, comprehensive guidelines for this valuable category of written works remain elusive. This gap has led to confusion and the application of inconsistent methods in addressing these works. In this research, the focus is on the restorations carried out on the inscriptions of several buildings in the historic city of Yazd. Specifically, the study examines how the principles of restoration and their theoretical foundations have been applied in the conservation of these inscriptions. Given the prominence of calligraphy and handwriting in these works, the existing principles can serve as a valuable framework for their restoration. The findings of this research indicate that the absence of clear criteria and comprehensive principles for the restoration of such works has caused confusion within the conservation community. As a result, some restorations have been carried out based on subjective preferences or, at times, incorrect methods. This study employs an analytical research method, drawing on library sources and field studies to investigate the topic.

A Structural Study of Buff Ware from Shahr-i Sokhta Using Petrography and XRPD

Elham Heydari-Karbaski

Shahr-i Sokhta in Sistan is one of the most significant and pivotal archaeological sites in southeastern Iran, with initial settlement dating back to the Bronze Age (3200 BCE). The site spans an area of approximately 151 hectares, of which 120 hectares contain material and cultural remains. It consists of three major parts: the central area, the industrial zone, and the cemetery. Excavation results indicate four cultural-occupational phases (I–IV), which are further subdivided into eleven sub-phases. Pottery, being the most abundant cultural-historical artifact found across many archaeological sites in southeastern Iran, including Shahr-i Sokhta, holds considerable importance in archaeological studies. It is the only category of ancient object that has survived through millennia with minimal alteration. Archaeologists believe that most of the pottery discovered at Shahr-i Sokhta was produced locally, either within the site or in satellite workshop areas. To evaluate this hypothesis, the present study employed laboratory methods, including petrographic thin section analysis using a polarizing microscope (OPM) and X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD), on three buff pottery samples recovered from grave no. 8525 NFB at the site. The analytical results, when compared with the local geology, indicate that the buff pottery from this site is of local origin. Furthermore, based on structural analysis and the presence of calcite grains, a firing temperature of approximately 800°C is suggested for some samples, while others likely underwent firing at around 900°C.

An Experience in the Restoration and Stylistic Reconstruction of Gypsum Lattice Windows: Case Study of the Abbasi House in Kashan

Mehdi Razani

Stucco work (gachbori) is one of the most prominent and sophisticated traditional arts of Iran, which has historically been executed using a variety of technical methods. Due to the inherent fragility of gypsum and the impact of both environmental and human factors that contribute to the deterioration of historic plasterworks, the conservation and restoration of these elements—particularly through the revival of forgotten or seldom-used techniques—are essential for preserving and transmitting cultural heritage to future generations.
One such technique is the creation of openwork stucco decorations, which are freestanding ornaments executed in a pierced style without a backing layer. This method is especially prevalent in the central regions of Iran, notably in the historic houses of Kashan, where lattice windows (rozans) filled with colored glass are a distinguishing feature. From a technical standpoint, the decorative work is carried out by applying gypsum over a temporary support; once the support is removed, the cut-out patterns are completed from the rear with stained glass.

This article presents a detailed account of the reconstruction and restoration process of one such gypsum lattice window in the Abbasi House of Kashan. Through a practical and field-based approach, the authors replicate and document the historical construction techniques and restoration steps involved in reviving this architectural ornament, offering insights into the craftsmanship and methodology behind these delicate works.