IN SITU MOSAIC CONSERVATION: A CASE STUDY FROM KHIRBET YAJUZ, JORDAN

The methodology for the conservation of the mosaic floor of the byzantine bath in Khirbet Yajuz in Jordan is presented. The mosaic was discovered in 1998, and needed urgent protection measures. Both optical investigation and analytical examination of mosaic samples were carried out by stereo optical microscopy and XRD, and both revealed that the tessellatum (Mosaic surface) was subjected to intensive deterioration aspects such as deposited encrustation, salt efflorescence, cracking, surface pitting, discoloration and biological growth. The performed conservation activities included documenting the mosaic by photographs and drawings in scale 1:1; reinforcing the mosaic edges and the preparatory layers with lime mortar; mechanical and chemical cleaning; filling the small lacunae; surface coating using Paraloid B72; reburial of the mosaic by sand to avoid the environmental factors, and herbicide application to prevent plants intrusion.