Wall paintings from the Mithraeum (shrine) from Dura-Europos, Syria (240 AD) were removed from the site in 1930 and installed in the reconstructed Mithraeum in the Art Gallery. They were damaged by rains and flooding in 1979. They are not true fresco. The images were painted on a wet lime wash and the pigments were thus sealed in calcium carbonate. Water-sensitive adhesives had been applied during previous attempts to protect the paintings. These swelled when humid and then dried, and flaking resulted. The flakes were relaxed with moist cotton and then pressed down. The surface adhesive was removed, and limited retouching was done. -- AATA