Multidisciplinary Approaches for the Conservation of an Etruscan Hypogean Monument

Tomba della Scimmia is part of the antique religious arts related with the Etruscan funerary cult. This hypogean monument is located near Chiusi, Italy, eight meters below the ground level. It is decorated with wall paintings realized with hematite, Egyptian blue and charcoal black. During time, some conservation problems occurred, such as wall decohesion, including the painted areas, whitening due to biological development or salts efflorescences. Microenvironmental conditions, building materials characteristics and microbial colonization have been investigated in order to determine the factors inducing deterioration and to propose countermeasures to prevent it. The main objectives of this work were focused on the application of modern technologies and innovative devices for investigating the state of conservation and to control surface and environmental conditions present in this hypogean environment. Data logger and portable measurement devices have been used for monitoring the microclimate of the tomb. A micro-photogrammetric system has been employed for the analysis of the surface patterns, beside the colour change measurements and investigations of pigments by means of non-invasive fibre optic reflectance spectroscopy (FORS) in the visible range. Furthermore, microsamples have been collected for microscopic observations or for examine the biodeteriogens dwelling in this location. An innovative control method based on microwave heating, was tested against white microbiological spots present in this tomb. The advantages of the proposed techniques and their prospects to be used for similar conservation situations are discussed in this paper.