English
PATRIMONIO dell'Archivio di Stato di Cagliari

Go to the search tool

Open navigation menu

as-ca.ict@cultura.gov.it

PATRIMONIO dell'Archivio di Stato di Cagliari

Go to the search tool

Open navigation menu

Restoration workshop

Conservation work and practices to safeguard the integrity, preservation and accessibility of archival sources.

Restoring a document does not mean ‘making it look beautiful’; it means enabling it to withstand the passage of time without losing legibility or material stability.

Safeguarding archival holdings involves a set of practices that prevent deterioration and, when necessary, act on documents to ensure their preservation and accessibility.

The workshop carries out a range of treatments—from preventive measures to restoration—selected according to the condition of the materials and consultation needs. This page explains how these practices work and presents practical examples through case studies completed by the Institute.

We preserve the past

We rethink the future

X
WhatsApp

Direct conservation

Targeted treatments to stabilise materials and, where necessary, restore their integrity.

The practice of direct conservation encompasses treatments applied directly to documents to slow or halt deterioration processes.

These treatments are designed to stabilise an archival item with minimal intervention, without altering its historical and material characteristics. They may be minimally invasive—when stabilisation alone is required—or more complex when integrity and legibility need to be restored.

Explore the terms in our glossary

Voce Glossario

Ricondizionamento

Intervento di restauro mirato all'adeguamento delle unità di conservazione (cartelle, scatole, camicie) finalizzato a garantire protezione fisica, chimica e meccanica alle carte e a migliorare la corretta fruizione…

Voce Glossario

Spolveratura

Operazione volta alla rimozione controllata di polveri e particellato superficiale eseguita utilizzando strumentazione specifica (pennelli a setole morbide, aspiratori con filtri Hepa e potenza regolabile), eseguita al fine…

Voce Glossario

Disinfection

A localised microbiological treatment carried out using methods compatible with the original materials in order to eliminate or inactivate the damaging action of microorganisms.

Voce Glossario

Messa in sicurezza

Insieme di misure urgenti o provvisorie finalizzate a eliminare o ridurre il rischio immediato di danneggiamento. Consiste in azioni immediate, spesso temporanee e non invasive, destinate a contenere…

Voce Glossario

Restauro

Intervento tecnico finalizzato a recuperare l'integrità fisica e strutturale del documento originale, nel rispetto della sua storicità e autenticità. Include un alto numero di operazioni, tecniche e prodotti,…

Restoration case studies

The latest treatments documented by our workshop staff

Indirect conservation

Measures addressing the environment and the organisation of archival holdings to prevent deterioration.

The practice of indirect conservation covers all measures affecting environmental conditions and the management of archival holdings, with the aim of preventing deterioration.

Temperature, humidity, light, storage conditions and handling directly affect the stability of the materials.

Addressing these factors reduces the need for invasive restoration and supports the sustainable long-term management of archival holdings.

Examples of measures

  • Monitoring thermo-hygrometric parameters: Continuous monitoring of temperature and humidity in storage areas to prevent deformation, condensation and microbiological growth.
  • Mapping the state of preservation: Systematic assessment of document condition to identify critical issues and forms of deterioration.
  • Setting treatment priorities: Assessment of risk, state of preservation and documentary value in order to plan treatments.