Conservation of coral stone architectural heritage 2 - Three case studies

In my studies I’ve dealt with five main topics. The first one describes a method to organise the natural and historical contexts. Nature and art form an important part of our heritage and, as such, they can be critically interpreted. In the second I have developed the issue of how coral reefs have been studied and the interest they have raised in the past, using the fundamental works of naturalists, geologists and travellers of the 19th and early 20th centuries. In the third I have focused on the previous studies on the use of coral limestone in buildings. The fourth topic examines the methodologies aimed at conserving the historical settlements on the tropical coasts, giving special attention to the environment. Then, in the fifth and last topic I have analysed the experiences related to field studies. Particular attention has been given to coastal settlements in East Africa: Zanzibar, Lamu, Ilha do Ibo, Ilha de Moçambique, Inhambane, discussing the technology and the methodology used.