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Showing 8 results for Preservation
Editor’s Note: Addressing Decorated Plaster Walls in Archaeological Excavations
Mehdi Razani,
Volume 1, Issue 2 (9-2018)
Abstract
The conservation of mural paintings on plaster substrates uncovered during archaeological excavations, particularly those executed in watercolor, tempera, or oil-based techniques, necessitates a comprehensive understanding of plaster’s properties and its interaction with environmental factors. Plaster, as calcium sulfate dehydrate (CaSO₄·2H₂O), is a crystalline and porous material that poses unique challenges in restoration due to its high sensitivity to moisture, temperature, and biological agents. These characteristics, combined with the diversity of pigment layers and organic or oil-based binders, demand multifaceted conservation approaches. This note seeks to problematize the issue in a general sense while highlighting some common challenges and solutions.

Note: the Challenges of Preserving and Restoring Historical Coins in Private Collections
Shiba Khadir,
Volume 3, Issue 4 (3-2021)
Abstract
Historical coins, as invaluable material documents, not only hold financial significance but also serve as vivid evidence of the history, culture, art, and economy of past civilizations. In Iran, with a rich heritage spanning over 2,500 years, coins play a pivotal role in reconstructing national and cultural identity. However, the preservation and restoration of these historical treasures, particularly in private collections, face numerous challenges. Addressing these challenges requires collaboration and a sense of responsibility among collectors, conservators, and governmental institutions. Raising awareness and providing education on scientific methods of preservation and restoration, along with fostering trust between
conservators and collectors, are essential strategies for safeguarding this valuable heritage. The Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts (MCTH) and the Research Centre for Conservation- Restoration of Cultural Relics (RCCCR) can play a significant role by offering specialized training and necessary support. Ultimately, historical coins, as an integral part of national and cultural identity, require meticulous and responsible preservation, maintenance, and study to endure as a lasting legacy for future generations.

A Review of Extra Structural Pathology in The Preservation of Handwoven Carpets
Somayeh Samadian, Mehdi Razani,
Volume 4, Issue 3 (12-2021)
Abstract
Carpet, as a piled and knotted hand-woven with a structure consisting of organic materials, is always exposed to damages during the various time processes of weaving, consumption, and storage. These can generally be divided into two categories of internal damages (how primary actions for preparing and dying fibers and also knitting are done) and external ones (defects during use and maintenance). Considering that the scope of the attitude is more on the samples in the museum and private collections, which apart from the aspect of consumption need favorable conditions for long-term protection, in this research, we tried to describe the four harmful factors and their sub-categories, which includes physical factors (light, atmospheric pollution and two factors of temperature and humidity), chemical factors (effect of acids, alkalis, oxidants), macroscopic biological agents (insects and rodents) and microscopic ones (fungi, molds and bacteria), to create a wider insight into the process of keeping these exquisite objects and prevent them from entering the structure.

Management of Environmental Conditions for Preservation of Archival and Library Materials Based on Standards
Negar Raeisnia, Mohammad Haddadi,
Volume 6, Issue 2 (9-2023)
Abstract
Environmental factors have a key role in increasing the durability of documented and written heritage. Therefore, in order to create favorable environmental conditions in archives and libraries, it is necessary to determine the goals related to environmental management to meet the preservation needs of these collections; and protective measures (to prevent or slow down the process of deterioration of materials) in these institutions should be planned and implemented. The most important environmental factors affecting the durability of library and archive collections include temperature, relative humidity, light, airborne particles, chemical gases, and biological factors. Control and regulation of these factors is the most cost-effective way to increase the useful life of collections. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the environmental conditions continuously, by recording and processing the data. In this study, the requirements, optimal scope, and preventive protection measures contained in some standards and guidelines for the protection and  maintenance of archival and library materials have been investigated. The aim is ensuring the safe preservation of materials and objects sensitive to deterioration. It seems that physical, chemical, and biological mechanisms depend on temperature and humidity which affect the collections in different ways. So, it is impossible to find a safe temperature and humidity range for all collections. Establishing international standards should be recognized as
a long-term strategy that helps to raise the quality of protection processes and improve resource protection knowledge. Based on the studies and experiences gained, the permissible limits can be determined which depend on the material's physical condition, its proper durability over time, and the environmental conditions of storage during the historical period.

Conservation, Restoration and Reconstruction of the Marble Tombstone of Seyyed Ruhollah Kashfi Darabi in Tabriz Islamic Art University
Mehdi Razani, Ali Mirzaei, Ramin Mohammadi Sefidkhani,
Volume 6, Issue 2 (9-2023)
Abstract
This article examines and identifies the tombstone of the late Seyyed Rouhollah Kashfi Darabi and discusses how to carry out its restoration, reconstruction, and display. The necessity and importance of this research is the attention to the conservation and restoration of outdoor stone artefacts in the museum that are exposed to environmental factors in open areas. This has been accomplished through laboratory studies identifying stones using petrographic methods and examining similar past experiences in the region through field and library research. After documenting, analyzing, and evaluating the intervention and reconstruction methods, the incomplete interventions of previous restorations were cleaned up and rectified. In continuation, the reconstruction of the tombstone was carried out using silicone molds and polyester resin. The restoration intervention was done by examining and comparing various reconstruction methods for such works and the less-considered idea was innovatively implemented by reconstructing the missing parts with polyester resin (simulating marble stone) while considering technical and aesthetic principles. Finally, conservation and restoration measures were carried out using 4% Paraloid B-72 as a coating-stabilizer and it was entrusted to the technical office of Tabriz Islamic Art University with arrangements for display and conceptual space. Despite the positive aspects of the reconstruction measures in terms of technical and aesthetic principles, due to the location of the artifact in the outdoor environment and exposed to destructive environmental factors, follow-up researches are needed to investigate the behaviour of stone and restoration materials.

A Comprehensive Analysis of Artificial Intelligence Concepts and Applications in Cultural Heritage and Arts – From Archaeology to the Metaverse Reality
Talhe Ghodousiyan, Mehdi Razani, Amir Hossein Mehdikhani, Arash Keshtkar, Ali Kh Mirzaie, Alireza Mansouri, Ali Akbar Kiaei , Hossein Shirazi , Mustafa Dehpahlavan, Abdolbasir Hosseinbor,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (11-2024)
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have emerged as transformative tools in preserving, analyzing, and representing cultural heritage and arts. This article provides a systematic and comprehensive review of AI applications in this domain, exploring their potential to address longstanding challenges such as natural degradation, limited accessibility, and complex documentation. By integrating classical and advanced ML algorithms, we examine case studies including the Time Machine Europe project, the Ithaca model for ancient Greek texts, and metaverse-based heritage digitization. These initiatives demonstrate AI’s capacity to enhance precision, speed, and interactivity in heritage tasks, from virtual reconstruction to multimodal data analysis. However, limitations such as data quality, ethical concerns, and computational complexity pose significant barriers to widespread adoption. Emerging technologies like non-fungible tokens (NFTs), prompt engineering, and quantum AI are highlighted as future directions that promise further innovation. This study underscores the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and ethical frameworks to ensure sustainable advancements, offering a roadmap for researchers and policymakers in the digital era.

A Note on the Book :The Interaction of Restoration and Architectural History in Iran
Eskandar Mokhtari Taleghani,
Volume 8, Issue 1 (6-2025)
Abstract
This note reviews the book "The Interaction of Restoration and Architectural History in Iran" by Zaatollah Nikzad. The author highlights that this book, emphasizing the relationship between restoration and architectural history, addresses the necessity of preserving architectural works, especially from the perspective of understanding and transmitting the embedded messages within them. The author argues that restoration should not merely be seen as an executive task but as an interpretive and research process, aiming to understand both the architecture and its history. Restorers must benefit from diverse sciences and, in addition to their artistic skills, should possess a proper understanding of architectural history and the creators of historical works. Mokhtari emphasizes that restorers, along with their scientific and technical skills, should engage with historiography and cultural understanding of architectural works, and this understanding should be incorporated into the restoration process. Architectural history must be documented precisely in interaction with the performed restorations to provide primary data for researchers. Ultimately, Mokhtari introduces the restorer as a custodian of architectural history and science, arguing that they should, with precision and responsibility, preserve historical information and evidence and pass them on to future generations. The book "The Interaction of Restoration and Architectural History in Iran" highlights the significance of this new approach in restoration, which should be regarded as the first step in research on Iranian architectural conservation and history.

Modern Conservation Education: From Technical Knowledge Transfer to Training Competent Specialists – Faculty of Conservation and Restoration, Isfahan University of Art
Hamidreza Bakhshandeh-Fard,
Volume 8, Issue 2 (9-2025)
Abstract
In the educational system of conservation, the main focus has always been on the transfer of technical and specialized knowledge regarding structures, techniques, and conservation interventions. Although this scientific foundation constitutes an inseparable part of training in this discipline, recent developments in the field of cultural heritage conservation demonstrate that social competencies, soft skills, teamwork, and professional ethics also play an effective role in improving the quality of specialists’ performance. The Isfahan University of Art, with a long-standing tradition in higher education in the arts, is one of the pioneering and influential centers in the country in the field of safeguarding and revitalizing cultural and historical heritage. Established in 1977 with the foundation of the “Isfahan Campus” affiliated with “Farabi University,” this academic institution has, from the outset, aimed to train experts in the conservation and restoration of historical monuments and traditional architecture, and has become an unparalleled center at the national level. This paper reviews the history of the establishment of the Faculty of Restoration as well as the current structure of conservation education in specialized faculties, emphasizes the necessity of integrating technical training with complementary domains, and proposes strategies for revising educational programs in order to train responsible and competent conservators.

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