Between 1986 and 2023, under the direction of P. Themelis and a specialized team, conservation work was carried out not only on the monuments in situ but also on the movable artifacts, in the fully equipped conservation laboratory located at the archaeological site, beneath the existing museum.
The purpose of the conservation work at Ancient Messene is to deepen our understanding of the past by using safe methods for the examination, conservation, and preservation of our cultural heritage. The structure and composition of ancient artifacts or monument components, as well as the extent of their deterioration, are determined through analysis. The National Center for Scientific Research “Demokritos,” the Stone Center, the University of the Peloponnese, the Technological Educational Institute of Athens, and other institutions have conducted archaeometric analyses on material samples from the archaeological site, providing useful information to archaeologists and conservators. Both the monuments and the artifacts are very often available for research projects (theses), student internships, and volunteer work.
Monuments
Conservators working at the archaeological site are primarily involved in interventions on architectural elements (stones, bricks, mortar, etc.) and mosaic floors. Monitoring environmental conditions—as far as possible—and regular supervision help maintain the monuments and archaeological artifacts in a stable condition.
