Oral testimony of artisans as a source of knowledge for the safeguard of historical renders

Abstract

The historical renders are one of the elements for the safeguard of heritage, contributing to the continuation and enhancement of the environments. Knowledge of the techniques, materials and tools used is crucial for architectural heritage conservation. The artisans’oral testimony helps to broaden the technical/scientific knowledge about these renders. It’s necessary to record, describe, analyze and systematize this know-how while the sources (material/personal) that hold it still exist. Under the Project LIMECONTECH (Conservation of historical renders and durability, compatible materials and techniques-FCT), underway in LNEC, one of the goals concerns the study of techniques, materials and tools related to lime renders in Portugal. It discusses the role held by the collection of oral testimonies in the preservation of historical renders. We present and comment the results of the collected oral testimonies, in order to reveal the importance of technical craft knowledge for heritage safeguard.