Bio-Deterioration and Scientific Preservation of Queen’s Mosque

Fungi have an important role in the biodegradation of monuments made of stone. The effect of fungi in the degradation of different types of stone has been widely investigated and demonstrated. Fungi can provide bio-protection for stone surfaces, act as a barrier against weathering, retain moisture, increase waterproofing, reduce thermal stress and corrosion, and absorb pollutants. Nevertheless, the evaluation of biodegradation versus bio-preservation cannot be generalized, as it may vary according to the behavior of different species, as well as that degradation may be influenced by both the lithotype and the environment. In addition to laboratory studies, more field studies of biological communities are needed, in order to analyze their establishment and succession under natural conditions and after conservation treatments. To guarantee the best decision for stone conservation, cleaning operations should not be based on a generalized approach, but on a careful evaluation of different aspects related to biodegradation and bio-preservation. This research paper illustrates the fungal degradation of the stone monument i.e. Queen’s mosque and Tomb at Sarangpur, Ahmedabad, Gujarat State and the role of said various fungi in the degradation based on a study jointly conducted by chemists from the Science Branch of Archaeological Survey of India, Vadodara and scientists from the National Research Laboratory for Conservation of Cultural Property, Lucknow.