Abstract
Presenting the outcomes of a capacity building activity, this contribution illustrates a replicable recording methodology to obtain timely, relevant and accurate information about conditions, materials and transformations of heritage structures. The purpose of the presented training activity consisted in developing local capabilities for the documentation of the built heritage at Bagan, Myanmar, employing different IT-supported techniques. Under the Director of UNESCO, the direct supervision of the chief of the culture unit, and in close consultation and cooperation with the Association of Myanmar Architects, the Department of Archaeology National Museum and Library (DoA) a documentation strategy has been developed in order to set up a recording methodology for the over three thousand Bagan monuments. The site, located in central Myanmar, in South East Asia, was developed between the IX and the XIII century as capital of the Myanmar kingdom. In the last years, this outstanding site has been exposed to an increasing number of natural hazards including earthquakes and flooding that strongly affected its built structures. Therefore, a documentation strategy to quickly capture shape, color, geometry and conditions of the monuments, in order to develop proper conservation projects, was needed. The scope of the training activity consisted in setting up a recording strategy updating the existing Bagan inventory, using three Buddhist temples as pilot cases study. The three documented temples were different in size, construction period, conditions and shape. The documentation included several IT-supported techniques including: Electronic Distance Measurements (EDM), SFM Photogrammetry, Laser Scanning, Record Photography as well as hand measurement and field notes. The monuments’ surveying has been developed in accordance with the guidelines and standards established by the ICOMOS International Committee for Documentation of Cultural Heritage (CIPA). Recommendations on how to extend the adopted methodology to the other Bagan monuments have been also elaborated.
Highlights
The main scope of the work consisted in a capacity building activity to develop local capabilities in the documentation of Bagan built heritage, employing different IT-supported techniques
The developed documentation project is the first step for an efficient conservation strategy for Bagan built heritage
The adopted methodology should be extended to other monuments in Bagan
Summary
The main scope of the work consisted in a capacity building activity to develop local capabilities in the documentation of Bagan built heritage, employing different IT-supported techniques. During the field project a systematic documentation strategy employing different recording techniques and tools to capture shape, colour, spatial configuration and current conditions of three selected monuments has been developed. The understanding of the role of visual information gathering in recording archaeological sites; the acquisition of skills on how to use recording techniques to quickly capture the current conditions of Bagan built heritage;.
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