Author(s)

S. D’Agostino & M. Bellomo

Abstract

The concept of reversibility in the structural restoration of archaeological sites S. D'Agostino & M. Bellomo Universitci degli Studi di Nupoli Federico 17, Italy Abstract Once the concept of a monument as a document forming part of the archive of a civilization's material history has been accepted, we are faced with the problem of conserving the monument in its material integrity in the interests of future historical research. This problem affects the whole of our hstorical building heritage, but is particulady crucial for archaeological remains, which owe their existence and conservation entirely to their documentary value. The archaeological heritage is subject to a number of natural and man-made hazards inducing continuous degradation. As time goes by, measures have to be taken more and more often to ensure conservation, and this tends to modify the status quo and compromise the artefact's integrity. Hence the methodological requirement for the "reversibility" of any conservation measure. U

Keywords