special
issue for RA
Congress 1997 
Microbiology and protection of archaeological stone objects
The paper is focused on microbiological investigations of archaeological
stone objects in town of Moscow and near the Black sea area. Specially
the interaction of rock inhabiting micro-organisms with consolidants, water
repellent and biocides has been examined. Non-destructive technique was
used in the course of the studies.
The microflora of the furnace complex XY c. excavated in the 1980’s in Moscow of the Romanov Palace territory in Zariadie was investigated. Experimental sites of the earthen furnaces treated by consolidants both synthetic polymers and mineral binder have been subjected to comparative studies.
Micro-organisms of various groups, among them green algae and cyanobacteria, lichens, chemoorganotrophs and lithotrophic bacteria, inhabiting stone objects of an archaeological site of the Greco-Roman town Gorgippus (6-4th century B.C.) near the Black sea were investigated. The abundance of micro-organisms responsible for their biodeterioration have been evaluated.
The microbiological impact of conservation treatment of archaeological stone in different periods were investigated. Four slabs of "Roman way" in Gorgippus, 2 slabs of low porosity stone and 2 mollusc’s shell slabs of high porosity stone were treated by Russian and Italian protective and consolidating products as well as by their combinations including the application of biocides and herbicides.
These approaches and results obtained will be taken into account in our work on biodiagnostic and protection of Karelian rock art.
Rock Art in history occupies a position of varying importance in scholastic programmes around the world. In order further to propagate knowledge of Rock Art in a pedagogical environment the collecting of the most important teaching experiences employed or projected by scientific, museum and scholastic institutions and by didactical and teacher training centres is to be considered vital.
From this paper and from the discussion during the Conference we can identify and initiate new directions of scholastic thinking which will garantee a better knowledge and understanding of Rock Art archaeology.
From the first years of our children’s' education, we must develop a
civic conscience in their minds, aimed at the conservation and promotion
of the merits of Mankind's Rock Art Heritage.