This study aims to utilize qualitative assessments derived from environmental evaluations and field tests to document the current state of damage, determine strength, and measure hardness in the external surfaces of the rock-cut architecture of the historic village of Kandovan, identifying and ranking the most significant damage factors. Environmental assessment forms were used for documenting the pathology, while a Schmidt hammer (Type L) was employed for qualitative field tests. The entire village was surveyed at 143 points. The results indicate that human activities are the primary cause of deterioration in Kandovan, with the hardness of the rock-cut surfaces classified as weak to very weak. The severe erosion of the outer surfaces of the rock houses is notable. Based on the data, the village was zoned into areas of low, moderate, and severe weathering in terms of surface strength, reflecting the extent of deterioration. Areas with greater exposure to water flows exhibit severe erosion and weathering, while those with less exposure to watercourses are classified as less weathered.
Wood is an organic material which has been used for manufacturing of different historic relics. There are many historic wooden relics in open air spaces under effect of environmental factors. Weathering and its photochemical decay is one of the most important degradation factors of these relics in dry and semi dry climates. Therefore, it is necessary to study different procedures for conservation of these relics. Nano Zinc Oxide characteristics were studied as a conservation treatment for wood against photochemical weathering. Samples were prepared from White Poplar (Populus alba L.) as a widely used wood in historic relics of Iran. Specimens were treated with Nano Zinc Oxide suspension in isopropanol by surface treatment. Specimens were artificially weathered regarding to ASTM 2565-99 in 300, 800 and 2000 hours as three time levels. Samples were analyzed by evaluation of mass loss, pH measurement, Colorimeter, and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Results showed that the treatment does not prevent aesthetical change of wood appearance in weathering process although the alteration was not severe. The treatment reduces weathering effects but does not prevent its structural degradation. During the time and under effect of weathering, Zinc Oxide nanoparticles will lose their function as ultraviolet absorbent due to chemical reactions with wood structures and first degradation products. Therefore, its efficiency won’t be enough in long term period.
