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   Archaeological Museum Gela, Corinthian helmets.
   PHOTO BY SOPRINTENDENZA DEL MARE SALVO EMMA

CONSERVATION

The conservation and restoration of shipwreck’s artifacts is the process of caring for the cultural heritage that has been part of a shipwreck. Oftentimes these artifacts have been underwater for a great length of time. Without conservation, most of them would perish, losing important historical data.

In archaeological terms, the responsibility usually lies with the archaeologist and conservator to ensure that material recovered from a shipwreck is properly cared for.

The conservation phase is often time-consuming and expensive (sometimes costing more than the original excavation), which is on the most important considerations to be taken when planning and implementing any action involving the recovery of artifacts from a shipwreck.

   Soprintendenza del Mare,  Punic bronze helmet.
   PHOTO BY SOPRINTENDENZA DEL MARE SALVO EMMA

The Department of Cultural Heritage of Sicily has an enormous amount of archaeological structures, artifacts and sites to take care of, ranging from the Valley of Temples in Agrigento to the Greeks theaters in Syracuse and Taormina, to the ruins and excavations in Selinunte, Mothia, Segesta, and Tindarim just to name only a few. It is an enormous archaeological heritage that includes seven UNESCO sites, and that requires continuous care and attention. Considering budget is a limited one, the consequences are that precious artifacts risk getting taken care of with sensible and potentially dangerous delays. We would like to be proactive fro the restoration of the artifacts recovered during our archaeological works, and we hope in your help and contribution!

   Soprintendenza del Mare, Louterion Panarea III shipwreck.
   PHOTO BY SOPRINTENDENZA DEL MARE SALVO EMMA

The Amphisbeana helmet that was recovered to the surface is quite a damage and we would like to contribute to its restoration.

The helmet is crushed sideways as if something heavy collapsed on it. It also shows several cracks on the conserved part of its cap.

The restoration and manufacturing of a structure for display and visualization of the helmet have a cost of 4.000 euros, and it can be financed by fundraising.

Once restored, the helmet will be displayed in the Museum of the Ex Stabilimento Florio in Favignana Island, which is hosting most of the artifacts recovered from the Battle of the Egadi battlefield.

A donation as small as 20 euros can contribute to making it happen! A personalized 20×30 cm print of the helmet before and after the restoration will be sent to who will donate 100 euro or more. Other benefits can be discussed in case you would like to cover the whole cost of this operation.

   Soprintendenza del Mare, Louterion Panarea III shipwreck.
   PHOTO BY SOPRINTENDENZA DEL MARE SALVO EMMA

Bronze warship ram Egadi#12 was found and recovered by our team in 2017. The ram weighs approximately 180 kg, and it features decorations that are different from any of the other rams found on the site.

On its side, it features a high relief of a sword. It is mostly covered by marine life encrustations, and it has not yet been possible to study in detail.

It is still waiting to be restored.
The restoration and musealization of it have an estimated cost of 6.000 euros.

   Favignana Island, Egadi#12 warship ram.
   PHOTO BY DERK REMMERS

The underwater archaeological operations are based in the big and spectacular compound of the Museum of the Ex Stabilimento Florio in Favignana Island. This compound was built in 1870 as an industry for the fishing and conservation of tunas.

It was bought and restored by the Soprintendenza of Regione Siciliana and opened in 2010 as a Museum. It is the basis for all the artifacts recovered from the battlefield of the Battle of the Egadi and is the base for the divers operating the archeological site.

The artifacts recovered need to undergo an immediate process of gradual desalinization and stabilization, in order to prevent potentially irreversible damages to their structure.

The museum would be available to give use to one of their large rooms, as well as dedicate some of their personnel, to help with the Center for the First Triage and stabilization of the artifacts.
The center would be open to the public visiting the museum and that would have the opportunity to see the latest materials discovered and to learn about the operation from videos and explanatory materials.

To set up the Triage Center, a certain number of transparent tanks with a water system are needed, together with lab furniture and instruments, including multi-media screens.

The estimated cost for the set up of the Triage Center is 40.000 euro.
Companies or private entities interested can contact us to discuss the benefits of sponsorship the initiative.

   Favignana Island, Egadi #7 warship ram.
   PHOTO BY SOPRINTENDENZA DEL MARE SALVO EMMA