The problems of in situ conservation of mudbrick and mud plaster

The author, a specialist on the conservation of sun-dried mudbrick or adobe, and mud plaster, explains the use, composition, and methods of manufacture of these materials. The conservation research programs started by ICOMOS recently have not yet found definitive solutions. She surveys the state of thinking on this problem to date, the main issue being that of protecting the material from the effects of water after excavation. She describes the procedures (backfilling, shelters, etc.) that have so far proved most successful. She explores the state of research on consolidative methods, the synthetic materials tested being those found useful in the treatment of deteriorated stone.