A SUSTAINABLE APPROACH TO SITE CONSERVATION: CONSERVATION OF EXCAVATED STRUCTURES AT DANGEIL, SUDAN

Francesca Guiducci1 

1 Via Candia 100, 00192 Roma, francesca.guiducci.14@gmail.com 

ABSTRACT

This paper presents the conservation work undertaken at Dangeil Archaeological Site (Sudan), about 350 kilometers north of Khartoum.

The project, going on since 2000, is a partnership between the British Museum and the Sudan National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums (NAMCA), co-directed by Dr. Salah Mohamed Ahmed (NAMCA) and Dr. Julie R. Anderson (British Museum).

The conservation work has focused on the Amun Temple, dated in its last phase at I century A.D., under the direction of Tracy Sweek, senior conservator at the British Museum, by the author and a team of local workmen.

Following an overview of the development of the concept of sustainability in conservation, the author presents the methodological approach applied at Dangeil as an example of effective sustainable conservation. Key aspects of such approach are the use of local materials and the implementation of a capacity building program for the local workmen. These, and the other factors that contribute to the long-term sustainability of the project, are discussed in order to delineate a system of simple but effective guidelines for site conservation.

The aim is to demonstrate that sustainability can be integrated within conservation practice as a framework, or set of principles, for decision-making.

Parole chiave/Key-words: sustainability, site conservation, Sudan, local materials, capacity building