IN-SITU CONSERVATION OF THE SHIPWRECKS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The main objective of this thesis is to carry out a complete analysis of all the key factors that positively or negatively affect the conservation of archaeological material in order to find the best possible way for the implementation of in-situ conservation of shipwrecks in the Mediterranean Sea. It must be kept in mind that in-situ conservation in the Mediterranean Sea is a very complicated process that requires a multidisciplinary approach and analysis of the most important parameters and factors. For this reason it was necessary to break down the entire problem into its basic components (definition, value and importance of the process of formation of shipwreck sites, the greatest threats that jeopardize it) in order to better understand and find a more efficient method for protection and in-situ conservation of shipwreck sites. In addition, this complex analysis will be supported from the theoretical point of view, as well as by the latest researches conducted in the area of the Mediterranean Sea in order to determine the real potential for the conservation of shipwrecks. It is known that the Mediterranean Sea does not provide good conditions for conservation and that the main problems associated with in-situ conservation in the Mediterranean Sea are related to natural environmental conditions, more precisely, physical and biological impacts, but also the human factors that have the greatest influence on the degradation of a shipwreck. For this reason, a large part of the thesis will be devoted to the analysis of these factors and the potential danger that they pose to a shipwreck site. It is highly important to understand how significant their impact on the degradation of archaeological shipwreck sites is, and that the future protection methods and in-situ conservation will mostly depend on them. Also, will be necessary to provide an argumentative reflection and comparative analysis of the methods and results of studies that have been applied in other areas. For this reason, the importance of projects that were carried out in the Baltic Sea in recent decades must be noted. Discoveries and conclusions from these projects have made a great contribution in the field of in-situ conservation and gained experience and knowledge have enabled the use of this method even in conditions that are significantly different from the Baltic, like, for example, in the area of the Mediterranean Sea.