RESTORATION OF THE ARCH
The last major attempt to preserve and restore the arch was made in 1979 and was completed in 1989. Robert Nardi, an Italian archaeologist, was in charge of the effort to repair the arch along with 18 other specialists. According to Nardi, close to 90 percent of the original surface side facing the forum was gone. In the restoration, Nardi and his team decided to use materials that were natural, ''breathing'' materials as the ancient Romans did. A likely reason for the arch surviving for as long as it has is because it was transformed into an old Christian church during the Middle Ages; even after the church moved to a different physical location, it still protected the arch from destruction and prevented it from being used to construct other buildings.
The arch has taken considerable damage from environmental pollution, such as acid rain; the impact on the arch from environmental factors has played a larger role in its gradual deterioration than the years of wear and abuse from daily use that it has seen. In 1742, Canaletto, an Italian painter of landscapes, painted half of the arch; the other half of the arch was covered in soil and debris, keeping the arch preserved. Nardi and his team used fillers and mortar made from marble dust, volcanic rock, brick fragments, sand, lime, milk, and honey to fill many crannies on the structure, ranging in size from tiny cracks to big fissures. The team chose to use materials which are self-sacrificing; in other words, as the arch deteriorates, it is these added materials that wither, rather than the actual marble of the arch that suffers. Techniques used to restore the structure were also carefully designed so as not to damage the arch that was already standing.
The church had a major role in protecting the arch from destruction by people. Of course, over time, parts of the arch have eroded away due to natural causes. The team of archaeologists used materials that the Romans would have used because most modern materials would have destroyed the arch rather than preserve it. Even before the restoration process had begun in 1979 most of the sculptures were already gone. With proper funding, Nardi and his team were able to complete the task of restoration in about 10 years. During this period, general tourists were restricted from accessing the arch.
The arch has taken considerable damage from environmental pollution, such as acid rain; the impact on the arch from environmental factors has played a larger role in its gradual deterioration than the years of wear and abuse from daily use that it has seen. In 1742, Canaletto, an Italian painter of landscapes, painted half of the arch; the other half of the arch was covered in soil and debris, keeping the arch preserved. Nardi and his team used fillers and mortar made from marble dust, volcanic rock, brick fragments, sand, lime, milk, and honey to fill many crannies on the structure, ranging in size from tiny cracks to big fissures. The team chose to use materials which are self-sacrificing; in other words, as the arch deteriorates, it is these added materials that wither, rather than the actual marble of the arch that suffers. Techniques used to restore the structure were also carefully designed so as not to damage the arch that was already standing.
The church had a major role in protecting the arch from destruction by people. Of course, over time, parts of the arch have eroded away due to natural causes. The team of archaeologists used materials that the Romans would have used because most modern materials would have destroyed the arch rather than preserve it. Even before the restoration process had begun in 1979 most of the sculptures were already gone. With proper funding, Nardi and his team were able to complete the task of restoration in about 10 years. During this period, general tourists were restricted from accessing the arch.