Due to the instability and sometimes sensitivity of archaeological objects, conservation and restoration of them usually require a complex procedure along with basic studies and pathology in the restoration process. Since pottery objects are more stable than other objects, they can be restored after preliminary investigation regarding the level of strength and hardness of surface sediments, if there is no special problem. In this report, we introduce and describe the conservation and restoration process of a number of Zanjan salt men collection pottery, transferred from the Zulfiqari Museum of Zanjan to the pottery department of the Research Center for Conservation of Cultural Relics for conservation and restoration operations. These objects, which were sometimes cleaned and temporarily patched at the excavation site, were thoroughly checked and all connections were opened. The parts were cleaned separately using various mechanical and chemical methods and after finding the correct parts, the connection was made again. Finally, the parts that needed to be reconstructed were reconstructed with plaster following the pattern designed for this collection and considering the basics of restoration.
Pottery is one of the most important man-made artifacts, and with time, its manufacturing and application technology has also changed. Therefore, in most archaeological excavations, pottery artifacts occupy a major part of the discoveries, and most of these artifacts have special damages. Some of these damages are common, such as fractures and cracks, and some are special due to the burial conditions and low quality in the construction technique; Such as body layering damage that requires special protection and restoration studies. In this study, a sample of terracotta cauldron hanging on the Segzabad hill of Qazvin Plain belonging to the Iron Age period was studied. This study aimed to understand the construction technique, investigate the damages on the pottery body and the cause of these damages. To answer these questions, instrumental tests, such as XRF, and comparative historical studies have been used. All these studies will ultimately help in the way of conservation and restoration that should be done. After all the protective steps to prevent secondary damage that may occur after its restoration, a box is designed to store the pottery and, in some cases, even display it. The result obtained from all the steps was the recognition of the construction technique and the documentation of the damage in the body, which ultimately led to the protection and restoration of this historical and cultural work.
