ALTERNATIVE PRACTICES FOR VEGETATION MANAGEMENT IN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES - THE CASE OF ELEUSIS

In the archaeological site of Eleusis alternative methods for the control of natively grown weeds, shrubs and small trees were tested. The native and uncontrolled flora creates severe problems to the monument and the use of herbicides should be minimized in order to avoid additional deterioration of the monument. The methods tried out were selected according to the type of vegetation in each selected part of the monument. For weed control soil solarization was applied, which decreased by 80% the weed population the following winter and by 55% the next spring. In order to eliminate shrubs and small trees grown on the monument they were pruned down to the soil surface and a dense suspension of glyphosate (Round – Up) was spread on the sections or injected inside the cambium. Both methods of glyphosate application were 100% effective. A particular problem was that of olive tree seedlings grown on the monuments, by means of seed dispersal from olive trees that are part of the landscape of the site. Spraying the olive trees once with 400 mg L^-1 naphthalinacetic acid (Apponon), at the end of May – early June resulted in complete fruit abortion. So, the method is suggested for olive tree spreading control in Mediterranean archaeological sites. To protect a mosaic floor at a Roman villa that is not yet restored and conserved, successive layers of quartz sand, matting which prevents root growth, LECA (light expanded clay aggregate) and gravel were applied. This way weed development was totally inhibited and the mosaic was protected from corrosion.