Characterisation of thermo-hygrometric conditions of an archaeological site affected by unlike boundary weather conditions

Abstract

This paper applies statistical techniques to analyse microclimatic data (temperature and relative humidity) recorded at the archaeological site of Plaza de l'Almoina (Valencia, Spain). This study has allowed us to quantify the effect of certain measures that were adopted for preventive conservation. The first monitoring campaign took place in 2010 at this archaeological site, showing harmful effects on the conservation state of the remains due to the presence of a skylight that partly covers the remains and causes a greenhouse effect. This skylight was covered with a water layer to prevent overheating of this archaeological site. However, this layer was removed in 2013 due to water leaks, and the indoor conditions changed. Over the summer, a temporary canvas was installed over the skylight to avoid heating of the archaeological site below by preventing the incidence of direct sunlight. The main importance of this work was to characterise the effect of unlike boundary weather conditions of different years in the indoor microclimate of the archaeological site, and to study the effect of the new boundary situation. This paper shows that the removal of water from the skylight caused a temperature increase inside the museum; meanwhile, the subsequent installation of the canvas cover allows appropriate daily cycles of temperature and relative humidity, especially in areas under the skylight. This work also shows that the replacement of a water ditch near the archaeological site by a PVC pipe was also detected by the sensors due to the difference in water vapour pressure.