The Żejtun Roman Villa: conservation issues

Abstract

This paper deals with conservation issues in relation to the residential area of the Roman Villa complex, consisting of four adjoining rooms paved with lozenge-shaped tiles, and enclosed by walls with remains of plaster, some bearing traces of paint. Multi-disciplinary studies in this respect are being carried out by the Department of the Built Heritage of the University of Malta. These studies have included the documentation and mapping of the current state of conservation of the floors and walls, drawn up by the students of the Bachelor degree in Conservation and Restoration Studies (University of Malta) and conservators from Heritage Malta. Documentation is always the first step in a conservation programme. Here it primarily helped the team to understand the distribution of deterioration, assess the causes of deterioration, both natural and anthropogenic, of these areas. Environmental monitoring, which will continue even after a protective shelter has been built, is currently under way. A research programme is now being carried out to choose the best herbicide to tackle the growth of vegetation on the site, and another programme will help choose appropriate grouting material and mortars to consolidate the loose remains of plaster. Following the completion of these measures, a maintenance plan will be put in place to ensure the continued conservation of the site.