*3.8. Conservation of Monuments, Castles*

The application of archaeometric techniques and conservation works to monuments and castles has proven the added value to the economy of a nation. Undertaken projects of such scale mainly require decision-makers' attention in the authorities of government [106].

Projects of this kind follow a series of protocols and necessary steps regarding documentation, evaluation, archaeometry, conservation, restoration, revitalization, and management [107] as outlined below (in bold those steps related to present paper's aims):

**STEP 1: Natural environment (location, climate, geomorphology, geopolitics, GIS, flora and fauna)**

STEP 2: Socioeconomic status (ownership, legal frame of the state and local community, economical activities of the region, resources, main occupation educational level)

**STEP 3: Architectural, structural engineering, and technological data (designs of topography and architecture of the structures included. Survey of pathology and construction techniques. Documentation of old materials. Old regional techniques of construction).**

STEP 4: Historical data (ethnology, recursion of the history, historic events, references, everyday life inside and outside the castles)

STEP 5: Evaluation of the selected data (definition of the basic axis or eminent characteristics which should be alleged and of the priorities of activities)

**STEP 6: Archaeometry-conservation work (spectroscopic analysis, dating, mechanical properties, 3D documentation. Interventions for solidification conservation, cleaning, consolidation, pointing reconstruction, reinforcement of foundation sheltering, conservation of work of arts included in the ensemble)**
