Microorganisms and deterioration of artistic and historical substrate of cultural heritage

Antiquities and monuments are represents of the culture, civilization and historical background of a country and can be very effective in economic growth and development of countries. It is very important to protect these monuments and if not to be noticed, will be causes serious and irreversible destruction. In recent years, chemical and physical factors also biological factors are introduced as very important and effective factors in biodeterioration. The issue of biodeterioration is one of the problems that cultural heritage always faced to it. Biodeterioration is an irreversible damage caused by microorganisms against archaeological sites. This worldwide problem, resulting to the physical and chemical damage in historical/ archaeological substrates and artworks. The role of various microorganisms has been proven in the erosion of a variety of artistic and historical substrate, including paintings, stone works, ceramics, paper documents and books, wood, textiles and films. The first step in controlling microbial deterioration of monuments is to identify deteriorating microorganisms and to know their mechanisms in the deterioration of archaeological substrates and artworks.

This subject provides a valuable information for restorators and researchers in choosing the most appropriate methods for the prevention, control and treatment of damage on substrates.

This article is an overview to introduce the most important microorganisms and to know their mechanisms of microbial deterioration of various historical and artistic substrates.