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RESEARCH PRODUCT

The effects of solar radiation in archaeological sites

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Ruined walls, paving and decorative elements of archaeological sites are mainly composed of materials with chemical, physical and biological degradation problems that are primarily due to environmental factors. The conservation of archaeological finds requires a protection against these factors. Solar radiation may constitute one of those causes of deterioration. In recent decades the use of glass to cover archaeological sites has been more and more widespread (Fig. 1). The purpose of those glass covers is to reconcile the need of the display capabilities with the preservation of the remains. In general, a protective cover structure determines new conditions that must be carefully controlled to avoid negative undesirable effects. The transparent structures, in particular, allow that solar radiation directly acts on the microclimate, resulting in variations of temperature and humidity conditions of the finds. The article aims to study the different types of glass that filter the components of sunlight which can damage the remains.