A Research Survey into Stucco Decorations and Clay Statues (Part 5)
Since 2021, The Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation has been involved in a research survey on stucco decoration and clay statues under the research project “Technology for the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage” program.
As part of these activities, we visited the Roman ruins of Somma Vesuviana in Italy on September 6 and 7, 2024. This site, located on the north side of Mount Vesuvius, has been investigated since 2002 by an excavation team led by the University of Tokyo, which has so far discovered remains of buildings thought to have been founded around AD. As a result of various investigations, there is a strong possibility that these buildings were a villa of Augustus, the first emperor of the Roman Empire, as described in historical records.
During this visit, we focused on the stucco decorations that remain among the ruins, conducted preliminary research on the materials, techniques, and coloring used, and prepared a research plan. In this plan, we also mentioned the possibility of deepening our study on modern methods of conservation and restoration of the decorative gateway, where stucco decorations and wall paintings remain, with a view to preserving and utilizing the remains.
We will continue to deepen our understanding of the structure and characteristics of stucco decoration through comparative research on stucco decoration techniques and materials for archaeological sites of the Greek and Roman periods, and continue our research on their conservation and restoration methods and site management.