Alice Boccia Paterakis
Abstract
A series of case studies are presented which exemplify decisions regarding the compensation of artifacts from the Agora Excavations in antiquity and in modern times. The artifacts represent utilitarian, votive, military, honorary and architectural functions and include 5th and 4th c. B.C. bronze statuary and a bronze shield, a 4th c. B.C. ceramic water clock (klepsydra), a marble ionic capital from the 2nd c. B.C. Stoa of Attalos, the marble stage facade from the 1st c. B.C. Odeion of Agrippa, a Roman ivory statuette of Apollo, 5th c. B.C. red figure kraters, Hellenistic and Byzantine ceramics, and human skulls from various periods. The decisions regarding the type and extent of compensation are shown to be influenced by numerous factors which include 1) the uniqueness and degree of preservation of the artifact, 2) the availability of physical and literary evidence to support the compensation, and 3) the destination and function of the object after treatment.