Brukenthal. ActaMusei, XII. 4, 2017 Methods and Techniques Applied to the Restoration of Archaeological Pottery. Case Study 689 METHODS AND TECHNIQUES APPLIED TO THE RESTORATION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL POTTERY. CASE STUDY Simona Maria CURSARU-HERLEA* Abstract: The article presents the technological process of restoring an oriental amphora used for transport. The amphora was discovered in the archaeological site of Capidava in 2008, dating in the 5th-6th centuries. Aspects of working style, use, dosing, batching and applying of some reversible and compatible substances are analyzed, as well as alternative past or present materials and methods. Keywords: Romania, Dobruja, pottery, amphora, conservation, restoration Rezumat: Articolul prezintă fluxul tehnologic al restaurării unei amfore orientale de transport (Carthage LR1, British BII, Kuzmanov XIII, Scorpan 8 B, Benghazi LR 1, Keay LIII, Peacock &Williams Class 44), descoperită pe șantierul arheologic de la Capidava, în anul 2008 și încadrată chronologic în secolele V-VI. Sunt abordate aspect ale stilului de muncă, modul de folosire, dozare și aplicare a unor materiale și subs- tanțe reversibile și compatibile, precum și unele metode alternative care se foloseau sau se mai fol osesc. Cuvinte-cheie: România, Dobrogea, ceramică, amforă, consevare, restaurare Introduction The Carthage LR1 oriental amphorae used for transport are frequently found in the west and north of the Black Sea, especially around the Mediterranean Sea, starting with the 5 th century AD. They seem to have originated in eastern Cili- cia, a roman province located in southern Anatolia (Opaiț 2010, 2015). In Dobruja, this type of am- phorae is mostly widespread in the 5 th and 6 th cen- turies and the merchandise transported was most probably the wine (Opaiț 1996, 47-48). The amphora mentioned above was discovered in Dobruja, at Capidava (sector 1, C1) in 2008 and it was dated in the 5 th -6 th centuries (Opris 2003, 53). This amphora was made of a type of clay which was rich in iron oxides and tempered with sand, providing a well-homogenized paste. It was made on the fast potter’s wheel and the firing was oxi- dizing and homogenous. State of Conservation The amphora was discovered in fragmentary state (36 fragments- fig. 1). Approximately 25% of the amphora is missing- small fragments from the shoulder, a handle and larger pieces from the bot- tom section. Traces of secondary firing were found in the rim and shoulder areas (black spots) and they were probably produced as a result of the dwelling firing (Fig. 1 a, b). The chemical analyses showed the existence of semi-adherent deposits of CaCO 3 and CaSO 4 . Moderately adherent deposits of dirt containing dust and other impurities were also found 1 (Fig. 2). Some pieces indicate the exfoliation of ceramic material. Following the assessing of the laboratory results, we established the diagnostic that was discussed in the restoration committee, where the restoration plans were made, mentioning all the materials, substances and techniques that are to be used. The technological process of restoration The curative conservation and restoration of an object involves a certain set of operations and stages. First of all, physical treatments were applied, such as mechanical cleanings followed by drying with adequate tools. Dusting was carried out by brushes with long and soft natural hair, in order to avoid physical damage to the pottery surface. Plastic brushes or cotton cloths will by no means be used. The high-fired pottery allowed the removal of moderately adherent dirt by immersing the pieces into solution of water and non-ionic detergent (Fig. 3). At the same time, mechanical cleanings were carried out. The thick deposits were removed using * Lucian Blaga University Sibiu; E-mail: cmaria1979@yahoo.com 1 Analysis Bulletin no. 401 / 13. February 2013, per- formed by the chemist Lăzureanu Daniela, the ASTRA National Museum Complex, Sibiu.