to restore building stone by bioremediation is a new technology that offers a
different approach for conservators to supplement, not replace, existing con-
servation technologies. It is not yet readily available to all, but research sug-
gests a viable alternative technique for conservation of stone.
Degradation of stone cannot be pinned solely on one factor – it is the spa-
tially and temporally variable interaction of these factors that produce degra-
dation. It is the combination of material conditions and processes under
particular environmental conditions that produces degradation.
6 Suggestions for Further Reading
As a general introduction to the problems of stone degradation, its causes and
patterns across the United Kingdom, Crumbling Heritageby Ron Cooke and
Alan Webb (1995) is a useful start. The book is written with the non-specialist
in mind, but contains a great deal of information about the scientific analysis
of processes of stone degradation and techniques used to determine patterns
of degradation across the UK. Despite its age, the classic text on stone degrad-
ation by Schaffer (1932) is still a good initial starting point for understanding
the processes of degradation and potential treatments. A useful text on tech-
niques of stone conservation is provided by Ashurst (1988). This book is a
guide to practical conservation techniques and is part of a series of such
books published through English Heritage. Lastly, Baer and Snethlage (1997)
text Saving Our Cultural Heritageis a series of papers taking a more detailed
look at the philosophy and practice of stone conservation from a more European
perspective. An interesting website for stonemasonry is that of the Masonry
Conservation Research Group at the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen
(http://www2.rgu.ac.uk/schools/mcrg/mcrghome.htm). This site contains a
great deal of information on processes of stone degradation as well as treat-
ment of stone. In addition, it has an extensive number of links to other con-
servation groups and sites of interest over the Web.
References and Further Reading
J. Ashurst and N. Ashurst, Practical building conservation: English Heritage
technical handbook, vol 1, Stone masonry, Gower, Aldershot, 1988.
N.S. Baer and R. Snethlage (eds), Saving our cultural heritage: The conser-
vation of historic stone structures, Dahlem Workshop Report. Wiley,
Chichester, 1997.
S. Cameron, D. Urquhart, R. Wakefield and M. Young, Biological growths on
sandstone buildings: control and treatment. Technical Advice Note 10,
Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, 1997.
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