Fighting the Fungus [ Easter Island statues threatened by lichens ]

The Art Newspaper ^ | Saturday, October 9, 2010 | Tina Lepri

[SunkenCiv]

Lichen are eating away at the Moai, the 400 volcanic stone heads that dominate the skyline of Easter Island. Earlier treatments to preserve these ancient monoliths at this World Heritage Site called for filling some of the most deeply corroded stones with concrete. Unfortunately, experts think that this treatment might have worsened the damaging effects of the wind and saltwater that batter the Polynesian island. In fact, the lichen may even be feeding off the concrete used to save the Moai.

Professor Lorenzo Casamenti and five of his students from the restoration school Lorenzo de' Medici in Florence have found an inexpensive treatment for the gigantic statues of Rapa Nui -- the indigenous name of Eastern Island.

Casamenti visited Easter Island in 2008 and asked for samples of the island's volcanic rock which, like the Moai, are also contaminated by these dangerous fungi. Lengthy research has now produced a "chemical" solution to the problem. "We have at long last discovered a solvent that destroys the lichen but not the statues," said Casamenti.

He will work in collaboration with archaeologists living on Easter Island who have already attended university courses on stone restoration in Florence. The aim of the treatment is to rid the stones of the "white flowers of evil" that leave holes in the colossal statues.

[SunkenCiv]

• "Lichens are composite, symbiotic organisms made up from members of as many as three kingdoms. The dominant partner is a fungus."

for the learning new stuff all the time dep't.

Get it off! Lichens threaten to destroy the monolithic Easter Island heads

[SunkenCiv]

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[Ancient Drive]

All the earth is a grave and nothing escapes it, nothing is so perfect that it does not descend to its tomb. Rivers, rivulets, fountains and waters flow, but never return to their joyful beginnings; anxiously they hasten on the vast realms of the rain god. As they widen their banks, they also fashion the sad urn of their burial.

Filled are the bowels of the earth with pestilential dust once flesh and bone, once animate bodies of man who sat upon thrones, decided cases, presided in council, commanded armies, conquered provinces, possessed treasure, destroyed temples, exulted in their pride, majesty, fortune, praise and power. Vanished are these glories, just as the fearful smoke vanishes that belches forth from the infernal fires of Popocatepetl. Nothing recalls them but the written page.

HUNGRY-COYOTE (NEZAHUALCOYOTL)
King of Texcoco (1431-72)

Texcoco is now part of Mexico City.

[Red_Devil 232]

[Winstons Julia]

Bleach in a sprayer?

[Winstons Julia]

OMG hilarious!

[cripplecreek]

Stone god man not be lichen it.

[decimon]

...from the restoration school Lorenzo de' Medici in Florence...

Easter Island to experience a Renaissance.

[Calvin Locke]

Boron stops the growth of fungi.

They might want to try regular applications of Ronald Reagan's 20 Mule Team Borax.

[goat granny]

They have withstood mother nature for centeries, leave them alone for gosh sakes....but man thinks he knows best....personally does anyone really care about a bunch of rocks...not me

[Minn]

I hope Squidward reads this.

[Irenic]

Yep, Timbor or something...that’s good for wdf, why not rdf? heh

[SunkenCiv]

So we’ll ask ‘em, “why the long face?”

[justsaynomore]

"Hey Dum-Dum, got gum gum?"

[SunkenCiv]

Seems like the Easter Islanders could have prevented it in the first place if they’d just carved the statues out of boron. Buncha beach bums and slackers.

[SunkenCiv]

That’s probably banned under environmental laws. ;’)

[DUMBGRUNT]

http://www.lichen.com/biology.html

“Lichens are fungi that have discovered agriculture”—lichenologist Trevor Goward.

[Winstons Julia]

No doubt. There is also the possibility that you build a large building/museum and put the heads in it....

....but that’s prolly redneck thinking. Must have them out there where they originated! Because .. well.. they are warding off the alien invaders or something.

[BRK]

I say let them rot. We are crushing ourselves under the weight of all this old junk. What can we possibly gain by expending resources maintaining a thousand old stone heads. I feel the same way about historic buildings and such.

[Gay State Conservative]

For years Easter Island is a place I've wanted to visit.Now,I'm more certain than ever that I'll get there.Fascinating place!