Monitoring the Conservation of the Bronze Statue of Apollo through Electrochemical Diagnostics

This study examines the conservation monitoring of the bronze statue Apollo SCB_2022_Z153, which was discovered in 2022 at the sanctuary of San Casciano dei Bagni in Tuscany, alongside many other bronze artefacts [1-2]. After the excavation, the statue received stabilisation treatments to facilitate safe handling and to prevent further degradation. Electrochemical diagnostics, including linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), were performed at three stages: before treatment, immediately after applying a corrosion inhibitor and protective coating, and after display in three temporary exhibitions [3-4]. SEM-EDS analyses complemented the study, providing alloy characterisation and identifying elements influencing corrosion processes. The results revealed varied behaviours across different surface zones of the statue, indicating different responses to treatment and environmental exposure. These findings highlight the significance of conducting zone-specific, multi-stage electrochemical monitoring to assess treatment effectiveness and inform adaptive conservation strategies. The study illustrates how incorporating non-destructive electrochemical diagnostics into conservation practices can aid in the long-term preservation of archaeological bronzes.