Researchers from London’s Natural History Museum and the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine have completed a project to save some of Kyiv’s historic artworks.
The research collaboration, carried out throughout the Russian invasion, established the cause of damage to the medieval murals in Kyiv’s Saint Sophia Cathedral, one of the country’s most important cultural sites.
“Russia’s attempts to violently destroy and assimilate so much of our cultural identity meant the work to preserve Saint Sophia and this precious artwork was even more urgent,” said Ukrainian researcher Marina Fomina.
“It is a huge relief to understand the cause of this damage and enable its conservation for our national and the world’s cultural heritage.”
In an attempt to protect and restore the artworks, research was conducted to determine the type of microscopic organisms that were living on the walls of the church and causing the damage.
The project started before the invasion of Ukraine and was disrupted by the attacks. Initial investigations in Kyiv involved the Ukrainian team taking DNA samples from the walls of the degraded areas of the cathedral.
These were compared to samples from areas without any damage, with the researchers discovering that the damaged parts of the church had higher levels of fungal DNA.
Saving cultural heritage during Russian invasion
Research using microscopic techniques at the Natural History Museum in London found that the fungi were dissolving the plaster and producing crystals that were tearing the plaster fabric.
“We were collaborating with them throughout this devastating time,” said Dr Javier Cuadros, senior researcher at the Natural History Museum.
“However, when Kyiv was attacked it was impossible for our colleagues to continue working because they had to suspend everyday life and flee their homes.”
“Hearing about the support they gave each other in their communities has been a lesson in human solidarity and maintaining cohesion in the most challenging of times,” Cuadros added.
Images: Saint Sophia Cathedral / Marina Fomina
