The news of the restoration of the busts of Palmyra which took place in Italy. This thanks to the hard work ofHigher Institute for Conservation and Restoration of Rome which has restored life and splendor to the two Syrian works. A work that also saw the use of the most modern technological supports, such as 3D printers.
The Palmyra War
Many of you will have heard of Palmyra, an ancient archaeological site considered among the largest and most fascinating in the world. Also known as the Bride of the desert, once it was considered a fixed stop for those who went to the Middle East. Its origin dates back to the XNUMXth century BC and was dominated by many great civilizations, including the Greek and Roman ones. What some may not know is that his works have been disappearing in recent years. But not for the action of the forces of Mother Nature, but for the madness of man.
The civil war in Syria, which broke out in 2011, caused over 250 thousand deaths (UN source). A real massacre that does not seem to see an end. Massacre that also sees him engaged Islamic state, known to most by the name of ISIS.
In May 2015, after a long battle, ISIS conquers Palmira. The site was immediately targeted by jihadist troops who began a massive work of destruction. For the militiamen, the history of that site represents something hostile to their beliefs, and therefore must be destroyed. Buildings, statues and other millenary artifacts are demolished, thus erasing the legacy left to us by the great civilizations of the past.
The international community takes immediate action to recover the finds. Expeditions are organized that vaguely recall the Indiana Jones saga, and attempts are made to save as many works as possible. In October 2015 the Director of the Palmyra museum Khaled Al Asaad he is executed for not having revealed the location of some works. The insane hand of ISIS leads to the destruction ofTriumphal Arch and the damage to the busts of Palmyra from the II-III century AD The latter, after a dangerous journey, are recovered and entrusted to the Italian officials who take them to Rome.
The restoration of the busts of Palmyra
Once in Rome, the Higher Institute for Conservation immediately begins the restoration work. Various professional figures are involved including a chemist, a geologist, computer engineers as well as, of course, restorers. All under the guidance of Gisella Capponi, director of the ISCR. The goal is not only to safeguard the two works, but also to reconstruct them, to remedy the damage they have suffered.
Extensive research is carried out on materials and on what once was the appearance of the busts of Palmyra. All possible restoration and reconstruction operations are analyzed, also using the most modern technologies. And in the end it was decided to use 3D prints to reconstruct the damaged areas.
A difficult technique, never used before on a face like that of the busts. But the team led by Capponi accepts the challenge and, with great care, reconstructs the damaged sections of the face. Sections that are attached to the busts with small magnets, all without damaging or further modifying the original part.
The result of the long work, completed in recent days, proved to be an unprecedented success. And shortly, the two works will be transferred to Damascus, to return a piece of their history to those battered lands.
