Photo: Scott Warren, 2013.

A major goal of this component is to carry out, for one or more houses that feature mosaics, an in situ conservation program that could serve as a model for conserving and presenting an entire archaeological structure and its architectural decoration.

The conservation implementation component is currently focused on the major Roman-period house, Maison de la Chasse. The house, which includes underground-level rooms around a peristyle, has been the object of recent structural and drainage interventions by the World Monuments Fund.

Conservation interventions on mosaics and wall plasters throughout the house have been carried out by GCI-trained Institut National du Patrimoine technicians with assistance and supervision from the Bulla Regia project team over the past two years.

Future presentation of the house to the public will allow visitors to explore the house and to view the most significant mosaics without walking directly on any mosaic pavement. Selected mosaics will also be reburied as part of the visitor management of the house.

Maintenance of the wall remains of the house are also being carried out with INP site personnel following the principle of minimum intervention and the use of compatible lime-based mortars, consistent in approach to the conservation of the mosaics and wall plasters.

The result is an example of best practice in the conservation of the remains of an entire ancient building, including structural elements such as walls and columns, and decorative surfaces, such as mosaics and wall plasters. It also will provide an example of controlled visitation that reduces the damaging impact of tourism on in situ mosaics.