ABSTRACT
The age of enlightenment, or the age of reason, was significant to the history of the conservation of cultural heritage in that it introduced cultural paradigms, and formulated concepts, that effectively founded the modern conservation movement. The period marked an important interest in the systematic, archaeological study of antiquities, and the beginning of tours to Italy and the Mediterranean first, and to other regions of the world later. The aim was to understand the origin of matter, to explore the world, and to submit everything to critical consideration; man gained confidence in himself and wanted to document and organise his knowledge. When restoration of ancient monuments was initiated under the famous neo classical sculptor Antonio Canova, and Carlo Fea, they showed great care towards every fragment that had survived from antiquity. This respect was carried into the practice of restoration, especially in the first decades of the nineteenth century.
