How to Deal with Adobe Architecture in the Ancient Near East: The Case of Ebla in Syria

The paper presents the restoration activities carried out at Tell Mardikh-Ebla (Syria) by the Italian Archaeological Expedition to Syria of the Sapienza University of Rome. In particular, the study focuses on the operations to preserve the mudbrick structures that have specifically suffered from erosion by rain wind which has caused the collapse of sections of walls. The programme of restoration at Ebla sought to clarify and outline a plan of excavated structures with swift, non-invasive, and reversible interventions and reconstructions. The protection of mudbrick buildings is indeed a challenge for archaeologists working in the Near East: mudbricks are extremely fragile both during the excavation and even more so after they have been excavated. Starting from the results at Ebla, the issue of preserving mudbrick structures is far from being completely solved; the lack of any archaeological research at Ebla, because of the political crisis in Syria, heavily affected the site and the restored buildings that have been seriously damaged by illicit digging and the occupation of the archaeological areas. New techniques and solutions are needed to improve the quality of maintenance and the protection of such a fragile heritage.