Hegra Conservation Project

In these five months, our team has transformed the 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 in the field into 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗽𝘀 using a 𝗴𝗲𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲 with the support of ES srl Progetti e Sistemi. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁? Complete tables for each tomb that illustrate: 👉 decorative elements 👉 constituent materials 👉 execution techniques 👉 state of conservation 👉 previous interventions 👉 location of the analyses done The work starts with the graphic base provided by the Geogra team, on which we add information through the use of different hatches. This allows us to clearly represent the extent of each element and the various scenarios encountered. The goal is to 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗮 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 that accompanies the written documentation we already have. #hegrafrompasttofuture #hegraconservationproject #conservation #database #data #restauro #saudiarabia #hegra #maps #unesco

𝕀𝕟𝕤𝕚𝕕𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕞𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕚𝕒𝕝 🔎 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻   Both the external and internal surfaces (as shown in the photo) of the Nabataean tombs at the Hegra site are affected by a phenomenon of 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴, an area, more or less extensive, with detachment of stone as a scale or a stack of scales. The scaling not follow any stone structure and detaching 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀 or parallel to the stone surface. The thickness of a scale is generally of millimetric to centimetric scale. The survey work on the conservation status of the Nabataean tombs has allowed us to observe that this type of deterioration is often accompanied by phenomena of salt efflorescence and exfoliation. #hegrafrompasttofuture #hegraconservationproject #conservation #restauro #saudiarabia #unesco #hegra

Which are the 𝙙𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 that characterize the tombs of Hegra? #saudiarabia #arabiasaudita #alula #hegra #hegraconservationproject #hegrafrompasttofuture #sandstone #decorationelements #restauro #conservation

The 𝑱𝒂𝒃𝒂𝒍 𝑰𝒕𝒉𝒍𝒊𝒃 massif is located to the northeast of the Hegra site and was the place where a rather extensive and complex 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮 once stood. According to Strabo (1st century BC), it was in this place that the religious confraternities gathered to honor the deity, probably following a religious calendar unknown to us. Indeed, many monuments related to the 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 have been found here. These are mostly small 𝕤𝕙𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕖𝕤 (often adorned with a central eagle or urn), 𝕓𝕖𝕥𝕪𝕝𝕤 and 𝕟𝕚𝕔𝕙𝕖𝕤 carved into the sandstone and decorated in varying degrees of elaboration, likely 𝑒𝑥-𝑣𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑠 left by both visitors and members of the confraternities that met here, often leaving their names inscribed on the stone. Upon arriving at Jabal Ithlib, one can immediately admire the large hall carved into the rock, known as the 𝑫𝒊𝒘𝒂𝒏, the largest Nabataean 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑢𝑚. Here, audiences with multiple participants from various confraternities likely took place. Participants sat on carpets or mattresses that covered the benches. A shelf placed slightly lower than the bench and still visible was used to serve dishes to the guests. Outside, to the right of the entrance, two basins were carved into the rock for ablutions. Throughout the Jabal Ithlib area, there are numerous Nabataean 𝕚𝕟𝕤𝕔𝕣𝕚𝕡𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕡𝕖𝕥𝕣𝕠𝕘𝕝𝕪𝕡𝕙𝕤, which are rock carvings made with various sharp tools, depicting caravans, hunters, geometric symbols, and animals. Within Jabal Ithlib, the 𝒘𝒂𝒅𝒊 is also clearly visible—a term in Arabic indicating a valley or dry riverbed where water flows only during brief periods of intense rain—now covered with abundant vegetation. from 𝐿𝑒𝑠 𝑡𝑜𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑢𝑥 𝑛𝑎𝑏𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑒́𝑛𝑠 𝑑𝑒 𝐻𝑒𝑔𝑟𝑎, Nehmé L., Académe des inscriptions et belles-lettres, Paris, 2015   #hegrafrompasttofuture #hegraconservationproject #saudiarabia #restauro #conservation #hegra #unesco

𝕀𝕟𝕤𝕚𝕕𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕞𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕚𝕒𝕝 🔎   𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀   𝔸𝕔𝕣𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕚𝕒, decorative architectural elements placed on the pediments of tombs, exemplify high craftsmanship and attention to detail. Typically, these acroteria include a variety of symbolic figures such as 𝐞𝕒𝐠𝕝𝐞𝕤, 𝐯𝕒𝐬𝕖𝐬, 𝕒𝐧𝕕 𝕤𝐩𝕙𝐢𝕟𝐱𝕖𝐬, each carved with sophisticated techniques that reflect the skill of the stonemasons of the time. The front-facing eagles with outspread wings, often positioned in the centre, are adorned with meticulously carved feathers. The fluting of the lateral vases is equally detailed, demonstrating 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. These initial details are achieved using flat 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘀 and definition 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘀 for the minute features. The finishing process involves the use of 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀, giving the surfaces a smooth and refined finish. A typical example of this attention to detail can be observed in acroteria depicting vases and sphinxes which, being roughly shaped and unfinished, display the early stages of working with signs of 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗹 𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 and preliminary work done with a 𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗸. The point chisel finishes, with diagonal and parallel lines, are evident beneath the supports of the acroteria, adding further elegance to the overall structure. These decorative details not only demonstrate the extraordinary technical skill of the craftsmen but also lend an elegant and artistic aspect to the acroteria, harmoniously integrating with the funerary architecture and paying tribute to the memory of the deceased with refinement and precision. #hegrafrompasttofuture #hegraconservationproject #restauro #conservation #unesco #hegra #saudiarabia

During these months we have continued our study of the necropolises that constitute the 𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘦𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘏𝘦𝘨𝘳𝘢 from a distance, but it is almost 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛. #hegra #hegraconservation #archaelogicalsite #conservation #saudiarabia #Alula

Close observation of the tombs at the Hegra site allowed us to determine the state of preservation as well as the 𝕡𝕣𝕠𝕔𝕖𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕖𝕔𝕙𝕟𝕚𝕢𝕦𝕖. Specifically, it was possible to reconstruct the phases of sandstone processing and identify, based on the traces left on the surfaces, the 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 used by the Nabataeans to create the funerary monuments. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱. In general, the traces testify to the use of 𝑎𝑥𝑒𝑠, 𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑠, 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑠, 𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑠, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑠 for smoothing the surfaces. More precisely, axe and pick traces were mainly found in the clearing trenches on the sides of the facades. On a significant part of the facade surfaces, signs of the finishing chisel were identified, except for small details. On the acroteria decorating the entrance portal to the tomb, chisel marks are often found. It is not possible to determine whether the moldings present on the facades were smoothed with a chisel or natural abrasives. The absence of evident marks leans towards the use of abrasives (in the undercuts, however, chisel marks are clearly visible). The volumes of the capitals of the lateral pilasters and the semi-columns were defined using a gradine. #hegrafrompasttofuture #hegraconservationproject #restauro #conservazione #saudiarabia #unesco

𝕀𝕟𝕤𝕚𝕕𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕞𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕚𝕒𝕝 🔎 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Of the most common forms of degradation in stone artifacts are 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀, which are clearly visible to the naked eye as the separation of one part from another. On the Nabataean tombs at the site of Hegra, the cracks, generally of mild or moderate extent, run both 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 and affect both the surface of the excavation trenches and the sculpted façade and the interior of the tomb. In some cases, it is possible to notice that the cracks correspond to the junction areas of the sandstone sedimentation layers. #hegrafrompasttofuture #hegraconservationproject #restauro #conservazione #saudiarabia #unesco

In May, we hosted some representatives of the 𝑅𝑜𝑦𝑎𝑙 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐴𝑙𝑢𝑙𝑎 𝑖𝑛 𝐼𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑦 to evaluate the continuation of the project and show them some of the 𝑚𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝐼𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑎𝑛 𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑠 such as the Opificio delle Pietre Dure and the Opera del Duomo in Milan #hegraconservationproject #royalcommissionforalula #italy #alula

The study of the Nabataean tombs in Hegra has allowed us to delve into many aspects of the 𝕖𝕩𝕖𝕔𝕦𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕥𝕖𝕔𝕙𝕟𝕚𝕢𝕦𝕖𝕤. The meticulous observation of the surfaces, with the naked eye for accessible areas and with a high magnification binocular (12x) for the upper parts, has enabled us to detect the presence of finishing plasters. We examined the internal walls of the tombs, the coatings of the facades, and the surfaces of the altars in the wall niches. A cataloging was carried out, constituting the first step of a future, more in-depth study on the plasters and 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗺𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮. Indeed,the bibliographic research conducted allows us to affirm that, to date, there is 𝗻𝗼 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗲𝘀 for the characterization of the 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤 and 𝕡𝕚𝕘𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕤 present on the monuments. The IGN 14 tomb, referenced in the photos, is rich in fragments of mortar and is perfect for a potential pilot intervention for the restoration of the plasters, which are often in poor condition. Briefly, we can say that 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 detected are: surface disintegration, dust deposits, guano and biological attacks, cracks, black crusts, and lack of adhesion. It is interesting to note that on the unfinished IGN 46 tomb, a surface coating is present. This suggests that the application of 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲 by the stonemasons. The location of the color traces, for example on the two entablatures that mark many facades, suggests an 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁, especially for the observation of the tombs from a distance. #hegrafrompasttofuture #hegraconservationproject #saudiarabia #restauro #polichromy