Knowledge of Conservation and Restoration

Evaluation of the Impact of Nano-Absorptive Waterproofing on the Reduction of Water Absorption in Sand-Cement Mortar Used in the Historical Restoration of Persepolis

Mohammad Hassan Talebian

The structure of Persepolis is subjected to various factors that cause erosion and decay due to moisture. The cement mortars used in past restorations are one of the challenges in preserving this grand stone monument. Over time, these mortars, due to higher water absorption than the stone, have exacerbated the destructive effects of moisture, causing serious but gradual and irreversible damage. Since removing these mortars and replacing the past restorative measures to improve the current situation is extremely difficult and may have damaging consequences for these valuable artifacts, this research aims to evaluate the impact of nano waterproof coatings on reducing the moisture absorption of the used cement mortars through comprehensive studies on the current state of these monuments and the restorations carried out with cement. Therefore, this research aims to provide a suitable solution without needing to remove the cement mortar and with minimal intervention to protect these artifacts. This study employs an experimental research method and considers theoretical concepts within laboratory studies. In this process, two types of Iranian and foreign nano waterproof coatings named Zycosil Max and FarazSil were applied on similar cement mortar samples, and their permeability and water absorption were evaluated using water absorption percentage and capillarity tests. The results showed that both waterproof coatings effectively reduced the cement mortar's water absorption. Zycosil Max, with a performance of 60.5%, and Faraz Sil, with a performance of 48.02%, significantly reduced the water absorption of the cement mortar, with Zycosil Max showing better performance than FarazSil. However, considering that the water absorption percentage did not reach close to that of the stone samples of Persepolis and the more than tenfold difference in water absorption percentage, none of the studied materials are recommended for waterproofing the cement mortar used in the restoration of the Persepolis monument.

The Use of a Wooden Canopy to Protect Historical and Cultural Sites After Archaeological Excavations: Case study Sadaqiani Bath

Yaser Shahbazi

This research aims to propose a suitable solution for covering the roof of the Sadaqiani Bath. The Sadaqiani Bath is located on the campus of the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning at Tabriz Islamic Art University. During the construction of a new building, remnants of an ancient structure were uncovered, leading to archaeological excavations. This bath, dating back to the Qajar period, has been officially registered as a historical site. Due to its lower elevation compared to the surrounding area, the bath required a protective cover to prevent rainwater infiltration and provide adequate shielding from sunlight. In line with the university's academic policies in architectural technology, efforts were made to design and construct a cover using innovative technologies, aiming to establish a successful and exemplary standard in this field. To address these requirements, an arc-shaped lamella structure with a fabric cover was chosen. This structure not only offers protection against weather conditions but also harmonizes with the existing buildings on the site, including the bath. It is lightweight and provides sufficient support to minimize potential damage to the main structure. With the assistance of architectural technology students from the faculty, research and design efforts were carried out, and the cover for the Sadaqiani Bath was successfully constructed, with the necessary funding provided.

The Structural System of Karbandi: Definition, Formation and Influential Factors

Ahad Nejad Ebrahimi

Karbandi is an arched structural element used for roof coverings in the historical architecture of Iran, distinguished by its high functional and formal capacity, simultaneously serving both structural and decorative purposes. The aim of this study is to answer the following questions: What trajectory has the formation process of Karbandi followed? What are the influential factors in this process and in its evolution into existing types? This qualitative research employs both fieldwork and library-based methods to collect data, which are then analyzed and evaluated. Initially, the gradual transition of common structural systems in historical Iranian architecture towards Karbandi was examined. The concept of Karbandi was also reviewed from the perspectives of various researchers to select the most precise definition. Subsequently, the key concepts related to Karbandi were identified and categorized. Karbandi is formed by narrow arches with chord-based and harmonious geometries, serving both load-bearing and decorative roles. Its primary characteristics include chordal geometry, orderly connections, the layered alignment of main points, and its construction based on a circular framework. The structural components of Karbandi can be analyzed through two aspects: theoretical geometry and practical geometry. It is important to note that the relationship between these two geometries is interactive and reciprocal, with some shared elements. Each of these components has influenced the formation process of this arched element while undergoing changes themselves throughout this process.

Charactrization and Elemental Analysis of Mina'i Pottery from Alamut Castle Using Scanning Proton Microscope

Davoud Agha-Aligol

The measurement of the elemental composition of historical pottery is of particular importance. By examining the elemental composition of the body and glaze of historical pottery, one can obtain valuable information regarding the determination of raw materials and their diversity, as well as techniques employed in the manufacturing of these historical objects. In this research, 12 samples of the mina'i pottery from Alamut Castle, dating back to the 11^th to 13^th centuries AD, have been studied using ion beam analysis techniques. In this study, the elemental composition of the body, various pigments used in the paintings, and also the baseglaze have been measured using the micro-PIXE. Additionally, the thickness of the gold layer applied on the surfaces of some of these potteries has also been studied using the micro-RBS method. The purpose of conducting this research is to provide appropriate answers to the following questions: What raw materials have been used in the manufacturing of the body and glaze of these objects? What sources have supplied the raw materials used as fluxes? Also, what coloring agents and elements have been used to create different colors in the baseglaze and decorative paintings? Measuring the thickness of the gold layer used in these decorations is also one of the goals of this research work. Based on the results obtained from the elemental composition of the body and glaze of these potteries, it can be concluded that different sources of silica and fluxes have been used in the manufacturing of Alamut Castle mina'i potteries. Also, the coloring agents in producing red, white, blue, and turquoise pigments have been identified as Fe, Sn, Co and Cu elements, respectively. Moreover, the micro-RBS shows that the thickness of the gold layer used in decorations varies from 300 to 800 nanometers in the samples.

Studying the Method of Making and Comparative Analysis of Motifs and the Time Period of Creation a Marionette Belong to the Kashan Doll and Toy Museum

Hamidreza Bakhshandehfard

Puppets are one of the elements of performing arts, which were used by puppeteers to perform shows since ancient times. Today, these works are known as valuable historical, cultural and artistic heritage. The Kashan Puppet and Toy Museum keeps one of the oldest collections of puppets that contain valuable historical, artistic and technical information. In this article, due to the importance of knowing the materials and manufacturing techniques, and the aesthetic features of these works, the study conducted on a sample of historical doll "Furash" from the mentioned museum has been studied by performing comparative studies and laboratory investigations. For this purpose, the study of the introduction of motifs used in doll clothes, materials and manufacturing methods, as well as determining the approximate age of a doll sample from this museum was studied. The studied doll is the 150-year-old "Furash" doll from Nayin and Ardakan regions. To achieve the goal, historical and comparative studies of the doll were done. Historical studies and a comparative comparison of the doll with the sample of the Qajar era witness, as well as technical investigations on other materials of the work, as well as the identification of its fabric and motifs, and the volume of the doll's head and its surface painting, prove that the work in question belongs to the Qajar period. The parts of the work, including the fabrics used in the clothes, motifs and volume creation of the doll's head and its surface painting, were compared with the examples of the Qajar period. The results showed that the desired marionette is a simple type that the artist made from the traditional wood pulp in the Qajar period along with different fabrics, some of which were among the imported goods of the Qajar period.

Emergency Conservation Report on the Sassanid Arches on the First Floor of the Western Side of the Espahbad Khurdish Arch-Structure, Savadkouh

Mohammad Keshavarz Divkolaee

Conservation and restoration after archaeological excavations are important steps topics that should be given more attention, especially when a structure is excavated completely and uncovered, it is certainly faced with fundamental weaknesses and destructions. When these structures are unearthed, they are exposed to an environmental imbalance. At this point, the cooperation between archaeologists and restorers is of high importance. One of these protections has been carried out on an architectural work called Espahbad Khurshid arch-structure located on the northern slopes of the Alborz Mountains in south of Mazandaran province and in the mountainous part of Savadkouh city. In the summer of 2023, the historical vault of Espahbad Khurshid was excavated for the first time. The C¹⁴ dating documents that this architectural work has been used from the 3rd century AD to the 7th century AD and is related to the beginning of the Sassanid era until the beginning of the Islamic period in northern Iran. The large arch structure of this building still remained on the three western, eastern and central sides. The height of the arch opening is 100 meters, and its horizontal length is about 85 meters. Its depth is 5 meters at the lowest parts and 20 meters at the highest part. In total, about 8,500 square meters of the structure remained from this building. On the western side of this arch on the first terrace, an archaeological excavation has been carried out, which provided important finds including numerous pottery sherds, weaponries including arrow heads, glass vessels and sealing clay. Important architectures were also revealed. Among them were some arches with Sassanid style and decorations which were immediately protected and restored after excavation, since the upper parts of the arch, which were visible under the rubble, were badly damaged. This restoration was done in cooperation with a large group of climbers and volunteers interested in history, archeology and nature tourism. This group has carried the needed materials for restoration including water, sand and plaster to the first terrace. The restoration style was based on the theory of the Venice charter. In this article, we present the description of the architectural structure in the natural arch of Espahbod Khurshid and its archaeological and conservation measures.

Consolidation of Paper Documents with Using Tragacanth gum Nanoparticles

Azam Soheilipour

The purpose of this innovation is to evaluate the nanoparticles of Katira (Tragacanth gum), to optimize for reinforcing agent to restore mechanical strength and stability of historical paper documents. The method and approach of the research is practical study and it is an analytic-comparative method involving gathering information through the relevant tests to the research topic, such as pH tests, mechanical strength, SEM analysis, zeta potential analysis to check the depth of penetration and high stability. Katira nanoparticles with different weight percentages were extracted and calcium hydroxide was added for increasing its pH and glycerol was added for increasing flexibility. The treatment was sprayed on the paper samples and then it was done for humidity-temperature aging according to ISIRI-4706 standard number for 12 days and light aging according to ASTM D-3e02-6819 standard number for 6 days. The results obtained from the pH analysis, the pH of the treated samples before and after aging increased compared to the blank sample about 40%. SEM analysis showed the physical synthesis of the broken fibers. Mechanical strength Analysis in the newspaper samples, before and after aging, showed an increase in strength of 3 to 15% depending on the amount of gum that was used. The result of colorimetric analysis showed no change in the color and opacity of the reinforcing material. In the zeta potential analysis, the size of the material was found to be 4.5 to 5 nm, which shows high penetration depth and stability in its resistance.