Preservation of Earthen Architecture in Spanish Archaeological Sites: Proposals for a Sustainable Action Diagram

Abstract

[EN] Throughout history, the conservation of architectural structures for cultural reuse in archaeological sites has been a complex exercise in decision-making based on multiple factors, including construction, state of conservation, and sociocultural and socioeconomic context of the time. When structures classed as earthen architecture, less known and more vulnerable to degradation agents, are to be intervened these difficulties have traditionally increased. These complications also occur when the intervention is approached from the angle of sustainability. Accordingly, there is a vast spectrum of solutions in the architectural panorama conserved, potentially causing confusion to visitors and in the process for the selection of technical interventions. This paper aims to examine structured decision-making for conservation actions, using a database of 85 archaeological sites in Spain, with earthen architecture in varying degrees of exposure, applying sustainability parameters for recently identified heritage. Thus, a practical diagram or matrix can be offered to provide a clear vision focusing on the different aspects of sustainability, as well as recommendations on the different starting points for conservation.