Preventive conservation and environmental control
An effective conservation program cannot be limited to restoring the physical qualities of the materials, and must necessarily include a strategy aiming to prevent further damage due to natural and human causes.
Thus, several interventions were carried out on the structure in order to eliminate known causes of deterioration, and simple but effective barriers were put in place.
Above the bema, close to the chimney that allows air and light to reach the cave, a shelter has been built with the aim of preventing water infiltrations and maintaining air exchange with the exterior environment. In order to keep bats and other small animals out, the gate at the Tomb’s main entrance has been reinforced with a tightly knit, stainless metal net, and reinforced with a counter-frame that closes the gaps between the rock surface and the gate. A padlock was added to the existing closing system in order to prevent unauthorized visits.
The entire site is currently guarded day and night, and visitors are shown around by authorized guides, permanently present on site. No more than 10 visitors are allowed to enter the monument at the same time in order to preserve the fragile thermo-hygrometric equilibrium within the Tomb. For the same reason, a timed lighting system is used. The rechargeable lights help to control the microclimate while at the same time creating the effect of ancient oil lamp lighting