Multidisciplinary, diachronic methodology for the conservation of archeological remains. Restoration of the Arab baths of the San Francisco Parador Hotel in the grounds of the Alhambra (Granada, Spain)

Abstract The renovation of the San Francisco de la Alhambra Parador hotel in Granada (Spain) involved preserving the archaeological remains of its Arab baths. The methodology included researching the history and documentary evidence of the baths, extensive archaeological excavation of the site with structural and stratigraphic analysis of the remains, characterisation of the materials used in its construction, detection of pathologies and an evaluation of the conservation strategy required. The multidisciplinary approach to archaeology has contributed new information about the structure of the baths and their evolution over time. This data has formed the basis of a project to restore the site that involved de-restoration and restoration of the baths and a critical analysis of the techniques used to restore it at various stages of its history. Our aim was to restore the baths as part of the Alhambra and Generalife complex in Granada.