The signing ceremony took place in the presence of HRH Prince Philippe of Belgium, HRH Princess Mathilde, Marc Verwilghen, Federal Minister of Economy, Energy, Foreign Trade and Science Policy, Fientje Moerman, Vice-Minister-President of the Flemish Government and Flemish Minister for Economy, Enterprise, Science, Innovation and Foreign Trade.
The Memorandum states that the two parties, the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) and Janssen Pharmaceutica will join forces to conduct research on the treatment of biodeterioration to cultural heritage monuments. As a result of this research, effective methods and schemes to treat the biodeteriogens and to prevent their re-occurrence will be developed. Two sites have been identified for this project : the Tipu Sultan's Palace in Srirangapatna and the Hampi complex.
Tipu Sultan's Palace in Srirangapatna
The Dharia Daulat Bagh or Tipu Sultan's summer palace was built in 1784 mainly of teak wood. The beauty of this palace lies in its simple and elegant architecture, which is in sharp contrast to the extravagance of its Indo-Saracenic style interiors. Every pillar, wall and alcove are profusely painted with variegated colors, made of vegetable dyes. The biodeterioration consists of the presence of wood wasps, as well as fungal decay, mainly by white-rot or wet-rot fungi. Mould and lichen attack the canvas and mural paintings.
Hampi monuments
Hampi was once the seat of the mighty Vijayanagara Empire and the temple complex was built between AD 1336-1570. It covers 26 sq. km and is stated to be enclosed by seven lines of fortifications. Temples of the city are noted for their large dimensions, florid ornamentation, bold and delicate carvings, stately pillars, magnificent pavilions and a great wealth of iconographic and traditional depictions, which include subjects from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Hampi was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1984. These monuments are all in granite. The two parties, Archeological Survey of India (ASI) and Janssen Pharmaceutica will join forces to conduct research on the treatment and prevention of mould, algae, lichens and higher plants at Hampi.
Scope of the activities
Janssen Pharmaceutica will |
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determine which biocidal compounds, or which combination of products, will be the best suitable to combat/prevent the biodeterioration; |
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provide their newly developed termite bait technologies for combating the termite infections in the walls and wooden structures |
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supply free of charge the necessary amounts of compound or compound formulations/combinations to eliminate the moulds, fungal decay and termites, for a period of three years |
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invite two archeological chemists in the Janssen Plant and Material Protection laboratories in Belgium and provide training to chemists and scientists at the Tipu Palace Site |
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provide financial support that can be used to buy laboratory equipment necessary for the identification and isolation of fungi and termites and to access the efficacy of the treatments and for documentations in the laboratory. |
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| The Archeological Survey of India will |
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select a representative Monument for each biodeterioration problem |
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provide all results of its research useful for the co-operation project |
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provide information on the identification of biodeteriogens on monuments in India to Janssen as well as information on the actual used methods of conservation or bioremediation |
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carry out the field evaluation of the anti-fungal formulations and termite baits provided by Janssen |
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provide all technical support |
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assist Janssen with obtaining the necessary State Registration |
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develop and provide treatment schedules for the test treatment and for the actual treatment. |
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The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) functions as an attached office of the Department of Culture, Ministry of Culture. ASI has declared more than 3600 monuments to be of National importance. Its major activities have expanded manifold and include amongst others, the maintenance, conservation and preservation of centrally protected monuments and sites, the chemical preservation of monuments and antiquarian remains, and the raising of awareness of the heritage of the country.
Janssen Pharmaceutica is a worldwide Center of Excellence of integrated R&D, production, and general services within the Johnson & Johnson group. With more than 80 drugs to its credit the company is one of the most innovative worldwide, and its products are used the world over in both human and animal health and in material protection.
Janssen Pharmaceutica Plant and Material Protection (PMP) is a center of excellence in wood protection, conservation of different materials and anti-fouling. Most noteworthy archeological projects include the China Museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses in Xian, the protection of medieval books and paintings in Belgium, the protection of 3000 years old mummies of Egypt against fungal degradation as well as the protection of mummies in Mexico against biodeterioration. |
