The project for the conservation of the archaeological site of Hegra in Saudi Arabia, launched by the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) in collaboration with Estia, an Italian company with over thirty years of experience in the field of cultural heritage restoration, continues with a second phase of research at the Mapei laboratories in Milan. A significant intervention aimed at enhancing the beauty of a UNESCO world heritage site, a hub of trade and culture in antiquity.
After an initial field study of the state of conservation of the monumental Nabataean rock-cut tombs, the team is currently engaged in the second phase of research focusing on the diagnostic analysis of the samples collected on site.
Thanks to the cutting-edge technologies and tools made available by the Italian multinational company, Estia's multidisciplinary team can carry out specific and innovative studies with the aim of analysing, formulating and developing new solutions that are chemically and physically compatible with the characteristics of the materials originally used in the construction of the entire complex. In addition to the archaeological site of Hegra, the analysis work at the Mapei laboratories is also useful and indispensable for the development of new technologies capable of meeting the requirements of future restoration work.
"We find ourselves in a context that creates strong degradation in stone materials that are not known and not previously studied. Hence the need to approach a new scientific study", states architect Paolo Pecorelli, sole director of Estia. "This is why we have requested the valuable collaboration of Mapei, which, with its wealth of experience in particular materials, is used to researching to find solutions to problems that gradually arise for us designers. Mapei assists us during all the phases right up to the fine-tuning of the final solutions and will therefore be a constant presence throughout the research activity," continues architect Pecorelli. "Since we are dealing with very particular activities on little-known materials, assistance with instrumental tests during the works is always necessary. Therefore, the one with Mapei is a partnership that will not end in the immediate future but will continue over time."
"The Mapei central analysis laboratory seized with enthusiasm and interest the opportunity to work alongside the group of experts involved by Estia in the project for the conservation of the archaeological site of Hegra in Saudi Arabia," declared Anna Bravo, Group Leader of the analysis department of the Mapei research centre. "An opportunity to make the best of Mapei laboratories' decades of experience in the use of technologically advanced instrumentation for the study of geological and anthropic materials. Working side by side with professionals in the field of restoration and engaging with them in the chemical-mineralogical study of materials which are far away in time and space, allows Mapei Research & Development to acquire new knowledge, useful for the future development of formulations, for the expansion of the range of products for restoration and not only".
A collaboration, that between Estia and Mapei, based on the importance of research and specialisation, in full respect of the Italian restoration tradition. Mapei's participation in the project confirms the company's direct commitment to the enhancement of culture in order to formulate new solutions for the recovery and conservation of the world's archaeological heritage.
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