ICOMOS-ISCS : illustrated glossary on stone deterioration patterns

Abstract

The ICOMOS International Scientific Committee for Stone (ISCS) is providing a forum for the interchange of experience, ideas, and knowledge in the field of stone conservation. ISCS aims at facilitating the publication, dissemination and presentation of state of the art reviews on pre-identified issues. Simplification and demystification of scientific information for practitioners are also part of the main goals of the group. In studies on stone deterioration and conservation, terminological confusions lead to major communication problems between scientists, conservators and practitioners. In this context, it is of primary importance to set up a common language; if degradation patterns can be shown, named and described, then they can be recognised and compared with similar ones in a more accurate way in further investigations. The ISCS glossary constitutes an important tool for scientific discussions on decay phenomena and processes. It is also an excellent basis for tutorials on stone deterioration. It is based on the careful examination of pre-existing glossaries of English terms. It does not aim at replacing these glossaries, often set up originally in a language other than English, and for most of them done to a high standard. As President of ICOMOS I would like to congratulate the International Scientific Committee for Stone and its President Véronique Verges-Belmin for the results of years of research presented in this publication. Stone conservation is a crucial topic in monument conservation and many of our National Committees all over the world hope for advice and help from the specialists familiar with traditional and modern methods of conservation. The Illustrated Glossary on Stone Deterioration Patterns offers a wide range of suggestions and practical advice. Probably, after the English-French version becomes available the Glossary will also be translated into other languages. In view of the accelerating decay of our stone monuments worldwide this is an exemplary contribution which will promote the international cooperation so important in this field.