We have just returned from site work at the archaeological site of Stobi in North Macedonia. Ingram Consultancy were appointed as conservation advisors and lead consultants by the Balkan Heritage Foundation on behalf of the National Institution Stobi to develop a conservation exemplar proposal for masonry repair. The work involved stabilising a ruined masonry wall heavily decayed by salt decay, matching original lime mortars and materials, and repairing the wall head using a hard wall capping proposal. The proposed work sought to repair as found with very little change to the irregular wall shape. Site works were completed by Skillington Conservation to a very high standard. The client and project team are delighted with the results. This project now paves the way for wider conservation and repair of the Theodosian Palace.
Part of the Theodosian Palace
Wall 16 with significant cavernous decay caused by repeated phase change of water soluble salt
The existing decayed wall head allowing significant water saturation of the wall below
The wall was covered with second hand wool blankets soaked in water at the end of each day to retain moisture in the wall and new lime repair mortars. Slowing the drying out process, optimises mortar strength and durability
Wall 16 on completion of conservation and repair
The consolidated wall head. The 'as found' irregular wall head profile is maintained. Additional stones are only added where they are justified to shed water from the wall.
A design drawing for the exemplar project
Design drawing illustrating where replacement stone was required to resolve very deep cavernous decay where there is a high risk of collapse
Design drawing illustrating the hard wall capping process. Loose stones are recorded, temporarily removed and reinstated in their original locations. Where new stone is installed the stone must overlap mortar joints below to enhance durability