Stecci

STECCI Summer Academy 2: Visit to the Old Town of Dubrovnik

Participants of STECCI Summer Academy 2 visited the Old Town of Dubrovnik in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where they explored the remains of this important medieval site.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Edin Bujak introduced the participants to the site’s history, archaeological significance and wider cultural context, offering insights into its development and role during the medieval period.

STECCI Summer Academy 2: In Situ Hands-On Conservation Training Day 10 [Križevići]. During today’s fieldwork at the Križevići necropolis, conservators carried out consolidation and grouting treatments on the stećci monuments. These conservation methods were used to stabilise weakened stone, fill cracks and internal voids, reinforce damaged areas and help prevent further deterioration.

Participants gained hands-on experience with the materials, tools and procedures used in the practical conservation of stone heritage.

STECCI Summer Academy 2: Heritage Visit to Olovo

Stone conservator consultant Simon Warrack, Prof. Dr. Gabriela Krist, Asst. Prof. Dr. Edin Bujak and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Saida Ibragić visited two important heritage sites in the Olovo area.

Their first stop was the monumental obelisk in Donji Bakići, followed by the Mramor stećci necropolis in Mušići, part of the UNESCO World Heritage property Stećci Medieval Tombstone Graveyards. The visits provided an opportunity to examine the monuments, exchange expertise and discuss their historical significance, current condition and long-term conservation.

On the 9th day of STECCI Summer Academy 2, participants were introduced to ultrasonic measuring equipment used to assess cracks and the condition of the stone. They then completed the cleaning of the monuments and proceeded with consolidation to strengthen weakened and deteriorated areas.

On the 8th day of STECCI Summer Academy 2, participants visited the Križevići necropolis, where they began carefully removing moss and lichens from the stećci. They also started micro-pointing to fill small cracks and gaps, helping to protect the monuments from further deterioration.

At the Kopošići necropolis, participants carried out the final stages of the conservation work on the stećci. Under the guidance of professional conservators, they applied patination to the previously treated areas, carefully adjusting their colour and appearance to achieve better visual harmony between the conservation materials and the original stone surface.

The participants also completed the finishing work, refining the treated areas and inspecting the results of the earlier consolidation and grouting procedures. These final interventions helped reduce visually distracting contrasts while preserving the authenticity and historical character of the monuments. This activity concluded the practical conservation work undertaken at Kopošići during STECCI Summer Academy 2.

During today’s fieldwork, conservators carried out consolidation and grouting treatments on the stećci monuments. These conservation methods were used to stabilise weakened stone, fill cracks and internal voids, reinforce damaged areas and help prevent further deterioration. The participants were introduced to the materials, tools and procedures used during the practical conservation process.

STECCI Summer Academy 2: In Situ Hands-On Conservation Training Day 3 [Kopošići], the participants completed the cleaning of the monuments, carefully removing accumulated dirt and biological deposits from the stone surfaces. Following the cleaning process, they began consolidating the structure of the stećci, applying appropriate conservation methods to strengthen weakened areas and support their long-term preservation.