Radiation technology under conditions of crisis - example from the Croatian War of Independence

The application of radiation technology has proven to be a superior methodology compared to other techniques used for decontamination and/or preservation of cultural heritage in times of crisis. It is particularly suitable and effective for the prevention of large-scale biological degradation of works of art endangered by the war since a large number of objects needed to be processed in a short period. There is no other technology that can treat such large amounts of objects in a matter of hours. One of the most significant examples of the application of this technology in times of crisis is its use during the Croatian War of Independence from 1991- 1995. Wartime conditions, maintenance and preservation without continuity, relocations, and inadequate temporary storage facilities cause major deteriorations of cultural heritage. The war in Croatia seriously jeopardized Croatia’s cultural heritage. Rescue, evacuation and protection of cultural heritage affected by the war in Croatia was a serious challenge for many experts from various fields, as well as volunteers, involved in the protection of cultural goods. During the autumn of 1991, due to war destructions, conservation and restoration institutes began an extensive operation to save cultural heritage. Around 5000 objects, mostly wooden polychrome sculptures, paintings and parts of altars, were evacuated. In order to reduce the problem of large-scale biodegradation, the Croatian Conservation Institute decided to apply the radiation method to works of art using the irradiation device at the Ruđer Bošković Institute. This example of the use of the radiation method to rescue cultural heritage endangered by the war in Croatia was recognized by international experts as a particularly successful example of applying this method and is to this day presented as an example of the efficiency of this unique technique in times of crisis. 1. Katušin- Ražem, B., Braun, M., Ražem, D. Massive Preservation of War-Damaged Cultural Heritage Objects in Croatia by Irradiation. In: “Uses of Ionizing Radiation for Tangible Cultural Heritage Conservation”, IAEA Radiation Technology Ser. No. 6, IAEA, Vienna, 2017.