The first step of a project aiming at the preservation of the Dedoplis Gora archaeological site was carried out in July 2015 during the field campaign of the Georgian-.Italian archaeological expedition. It involved an interdisciplinary survey of the site by a group of specialists (a student in architecture, E. Venier, and a geologist/restorer, F. Fratini) in order to inspect and identify structural evidence for future conservation.
    Particular interest was paid to the excavation of Room 20 in the NE portion of the Hellenistic palace, and to the porch in front of it. A graphic rendition of the surviving walls was realised using Photo-Scanner technology, which provided a three-dimensional model of the parts examined (Fig. 27). During this first inspection the progress of the wall degradation was carefully examined along with the static conditions of the buildings. The whole site was thoroughly recorded using photographic documentation for planning future restoration programs.

Sampling of materials of the building structures
    Sampling of representative construction materials, such as bricks, earthen bedding mortar, sandstone ashlars, river pebbles, wooden beams, earthen plasters were taken in particular from Room 20. These materials will be analysed in the laboratory in order to determine their composition and mechanical characteristics. These data are necessary for the restoration process.

Observed degradation phenomena
    Today the palace is still standing but in an unstable status of conservation. The turning point in the life of the palace was the result of a terrible fire that likely occurred around 70 AD, damaging it heavily. This event probably originated from the overheating of the earthen bedding mortars (deducted by shrinkage and developed cracks, fragmentation of almost all the basalt pebbles). The degradation of the raw materials caused a strong de-cohesion of the masonry (Fig. 28). Subsequently the atmospheric erosion phenomena easily affected the structures, fracturing the mortar and washing away portions of the masonry. In addition the freezing-thaw phenomena, frequent in the region, deteriorated the section of the masonry less touched by the fire.

Preliminary stage of intervention
    The restoration process may be divided into three stages, aiming to show different aspects of the life, development and technology employed in the palace. The first step envisions clearing all of the area of the palace on top of the site, thereby shedding light on the Hellenistic structure of the building. During this part of the restoration process, the stability of the walls will be ensured and the ruined features will be maintained. This step will assist the visitors to the site to understand the shape of the palace and its overall function. As a second step, a room could be reconstructed in a partial way, showing the engineering technology of the wooden beams and plaster adjustments. The third step envisions the reconstruction of the entire corner tower allowing the tourists to view the entire building from a higher visual perspective.
    The inclusion of a path through the archaeological excavations of the earlier periods may complete the conservation plan. The two trenches are located on the Eastern and Western slopes of the hill, the former reaching the 4th mill. BC and the latter the 3rd mill BC. This path, with an appropriate singe, would allow the visitor to understand the importance of the site and its continuity of occupation: a continuity with a visual impact that few other archaeological sites in Georgia could offer.
    This project embodied two main aspects of cultural heritage preservation: architecture and archaeology. The emphasis on conservation of ancient structures and archaeology has the goal of preserving for the visitors not only ancient technological knowledge, but also ancient sensitivities for their architectural environment. In order to do this, conservation of structural data must be studied in order to plan for further restoration. In Aradetis Orgora the important archaeological heritage can be preserved through site management strategies that take into account the unique monumental character and historical importance of the site.