Wall paintings and decorations of Yozgat Başçavuş Mosque: Condition assessment of deteriorations, and conservation

By applying the periodic construction techniques, determining the degree of deterioration, and putting forward some conservation and preventive suggestions, this study aims to assess the decorations and to do an iconographic analysis of the Başçavuş Mosque built between 1800 and 1801, located in the province of Yozgat. In the case of the Başçavuş Mosque's decorations, possible causes of deterioration in wall paintings are defined, and some conservation and preventive suggestions including both modern and traditional materials and techniques are introduced. Within the scope of the study, previous restorations and interventions are investigated, and changes by which the building underwent through those repairs were determined. In addition to in situ research, some archaeometrical analysis and scaling dye samples in accordance with CIE Lab values were conducted for the chosen wall paintings and wooden and plaster decorations of the Mosque. Furthermore, the deteriorations owing to both internal and external factors in the coating, plaster, and wooden materials and dye layers were investigated, and some conservation and preventive methods and maintenance strategies were suggested.