Review article
https://doi.org/10.17018/portal.2014.1
Marble Sculptures from Narona – the Problem of Museum Presentation
Vinka Marinković
; Croatian Conservation Institute, Split Department for Conservation, Split, Croatia
Abstract
In 1995, systematic archaeological excavations were undertaken at the site of Plećaševe Štale in Vid, near Metković, by the Split Archaeological Museum, resulting in some interesting finds. A Roman temple was unearthed, with a cella and a portico, while the interior disclosed 16 marble sculptures, a floor mosaic, and an abundance of smallsized material. The marble sculptures, most of them colossal in size, depicted Roman emperors and members of their families. Unfortunately, they were discovered in pieces and had been decapitated. An extensive conservation procedure was conducted, the analyses of the materials and causes of deterioration, the cleaning, assembling and conservation of the marble structure, including the work on the final presentation. The complex project lasted
for many years, with a large number of Croatian and international institutions and experts taking part, resulting in the permanent exhibition of what is, generally, one of the most comprehensive collections of Roman sculptures. Among the most intricate issues arising in the course of the project was the question of how to present the sculptures which were too damaged to stand on their own. The article delivers an overview of archaeological excavations, conservation investigations, and the overall conservation procedure with issues arising from it.
Keywords
marble; Roman sculptures; Vid-Metković; archaeological excavations; Narona; conservation work; presentation of non-self-standing sculptures
Hrčak ID:
133005
URI
Publication date:
22.12.2014.
Visits: 2.403 *