Ancient works, monuments and historical sites

Abstract

The International Association of Engineering Geology sponsored the symposium Engineering Geology as Related to the Study, Preservation, and Protection of Ancient Works, Monuments and Historical Sites on September 19–23, 1988, in Athens, Greece. The symposium was organized by the Greek National Group of the International Association of Engineering Geology in collaboration with the Greek Ministry of Culture. Official cosponsors of the symposium included the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, Commission of the European Communities, and International Council on Monuments and Sites.Subjects of the papers presented at the symposium included soil and rock mechanics; foundation engineering; structural geology; geomorphology; geophysics; seismology; weathering, erosion and decay; and preservation techniques. In part, the symposium indicates the concern of national and international organizations over an apparently accelerating rate of deterioration of cultural treasures in many parts of the world as a result of anthropogenic and natural causes. Several of these causes are related directly to rapid urbanization.