Historical Monuments Research Articles

Probleme privind protejarea patrimoniului cultural imobil în legislația de specialitate și documentațiile de urbanism

Built cultural heritage protection is ensured by two types of legal tools: legislation that rules the field of historic monuments and urban planning laws and regulations. However, in practice, the efficiency of these instruments is sometimes questionable. At a closer look, the cultural heritage and urban planning policies contain contradictions and discontinuities caused by legislation gaps and overlaps. The lack of accuracy distorts the sense of legal stipulations, leading to serious heritage preservation issues. In order to guarantee the protection of historic monuments and their buffer zones, as well as the preservation of other protected areas and the valorization of their assets, the legislation on urban planning and cultural heritage preservation establishes that urban planning documents should contain relevant information and specific regulations. In practice, one can notice that this fundamental principle is sometimes treated in an unsatisfying manner. The improper interpretation of the legislation and official documents represents a real menace to the cultural identity of our environment and could cause severe damages to our common inheritance.

Социальный спрос на уголовно-правовую охрану исторического и культурного наследия как фактор, оказывающий влияние на уголовно-правовую политику в указанной сфере

The article is devoted to the social demand for criminal law protection of historical and cultural heritage, which, in systemic unity with other factors listed in the publication, has had and continues to have a direct impact on criminal law policy in this area. When revealing the content side of social demand, the author suggests using the term historical and cultural complementarity. Thanks to him, a social assessment of existing criminal law prohibitions can be given, the contradictory attitude of the law enforcement officer to the protection of historical and cultural monuments and cultural values can be explained. Using the example of criminalization of illegal search and seizure of archaeological objects from places of occurrence (art. 2432 of the Criminal code), attention is drawn to the lack of social demand for legal regulation of the activities of persons using special technical search tools (metal detectors) and engaged in illegal search for archaeological objects.

Development of augmented reality feature modules on the introduction of historical monuments in Timor Leste

Development of augmented reality feature modules on the introduction of historical monuments in Timor Leste

Implementation of a non-destructive method to assess weathering deterioration of sandstones in cultural heritage

This paper proposes a non-destructive approach based on the Equotip hardness tester to assess weathering deterioration in a protected sandstone monument located in the historic centre of Camerino (Italy). The approach is tested on one sandstone column, where various forms of weathering, such as discolouration, scaling and loss of stone volume, are observed. The mechanical characterisation with Equotip was performed on 24 measuring points, systematically distributed in the column. Innovatively, the two probes available from Proceq (Proceq© 2010) were used to assess differences among surface and in-depth hardness values of the column. In addition, an un-weathered rock core from the original extraction site was also analysed and compared with the rock matrix of the column. The obtained results show a 15% hardness reduction from depth to the surface of the column and a 25% overall hardness reduction with respect to the fresh sandstone core samples. Equotip results were coupled with grain size analyses, mercury intrusion porosimetry, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometry results, and a correlation between hardness and grain size was evaluated. By combining these approaches, it was possible to identify the processes that occurred during weathering: (a) freeze-thaw cycles that caused a decrease in micropore volume and an increase in macropores connected with low Equotip values; (b) iron oxide and sulphuric acid released from pyrite oxidation contribute to the dissolution and precipitation of calcium carbonate, which can be rearranged in the outer and surface macroporosity. The quantitative approach proposed in this study may be a valid low-cost and quick tool to assess weathering heterogeneities on building stone materials and to provide insights for effective preservation strategies of historical monuments.

Exploring spiritual values in forest management practices in the Netherlands

While forest-related spiritual values (forest spirituality) have long been incorporated in global forest-related policies and strategies, the significance of spiritual values in forest management practices remains little researched. This study investigates how spiritual values are articulated in forest management practices in the Netherlands. We applied a conceptual framework with 10 spiritual dimensions derived from religious scholarship to qualitatively explore the roles of these dimensions in practical forest management. Data were collected by interviewing public and private foresters across the Netherlands and analysed following a constructivist-interpretivist approach. As a result, we found four themes in which forest spirituality is articulated in management practices. Firstly, forests are increasingly used for ritual practices aimed at spiritual enrichment and health, with different consequences for public and private forest management. Secondly, ontological and relational considerations affect several forest management practices. These are mainly related to diverging views on tree felling and educational programmes aimed at nature connectedness. Thirdly, forest spirituality is expressed in local legends and historical monuments, deployed to raise the public's interest in forests. Fourthly, ineffabale aspects of spirituality emerge in references to unspecified spiritual experiences and occasional cases of intuitive forest management. We conclude that forest spirituality -entangled with broader ‘ecospiritual’ trends in society- is not only significant for nature experience but also -increasingly- for ritual and healing practices in forests, for connectedness with nature and for forest use such as tree planting and felling. In particular, public foresters increasingy have to reconcile their management with the ‘spiritual’ ideas and practices of a diversifying public.

Seismic fragility evaluation of the Nepalese pagoda temple: A case study of Laxmi Narsingha temple

The preservation of cultural heritage has been a global concern. In the context of vulnerability assessments and risk reduction strategies studied, historical monument rehabilitation in Nepal has often occurred without a comprehensive damage grade analysis. This paper addresses this gap by presenting a seismic fragility assessment of a two-tier Nepalese pagoda temple, with the Laxmi Narsingha temple as a case study. This pagoda temple features load-bearing brick masonry with timber posts and crossbeams. Comparative finite element (FE) models—one with a masonry-timber interface and one without—were analyzed and subjected to pushover analysis. The failure mechanisms (cracks) in these models revealed distinct behavioral differences. The study further examined the influence and sensitivity of masonry properties on the temple's response quantities through parametric assessments. Furthermore, fragility analysis of the temple's analytical models was done for three performance levels- Immediate Occupancy (IO), Life Safety (LS), and Collapse Prevention (CP). The fragility analysis results indicate that the model with a masonry-timber interface recorded a higher likelihood of exceeding the limit states over the one without interface characteristics counterpart. The study helps to analyze and decide over the selection of a suitable analytical procedure to represent the failure mechanisms exhibited by the pagoda structure.

Seismic microzonation and soil-structure resonance analysis in Suryabinayak Municipality, Bhaktapur, Nepal: insights from ambient vibration measurements

Bhaktapur, lying in the Kathmandu Basin, suffered damages during the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake, potentially exacerbated by local site effects. This research addresses the lack of site response study on Suryabinayak Municipality, located in the southern part of Bhaktapur district. Horizontal to Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR) and Floor Spectral Ratio (FSR) methods were employed to determine the fundamental frequencies of soil deposits at 241 free field stations and 20 Reinforced Concrete (RC) isolated buildings respectively. The fundamental frequency of soil deposits varies from 0.27 Hz to 10.00 Hz. Higher frequencies were noted near the basin edges, attributed to shallow sediment deposits, whereas a lower frequencies prevailed towards the basin centre due to an increase in sediment thickness. Out of 20 buildings studied, 7 are highly susceptible to soil-structure resonance as the frequency disparity between building and free-field is less than 15%. This research not only quantified the frequency distribution and soil-structure resonance likelihood but also established a correlation between building height and its fundamental frequency. A significant correlation is observed with a coefficient of determination (R2) value of 60.64% and 83.36% in the longitudinal and transverse directions respectively. The study’s results can be endorsed to mitigate seismic hazards, build seismic-resilient structures, and maintain historical monuments.

Monuments of Italian Colonialism as a Transcultural Heritage

This essay addresses the material legacies of Italian colonialism, reframing them as a transcultural heritage. With a focus on the complex interplay between memory and displacement, the study retraces the biographies of selected historical monuments from the late nineteenth century to fascism up until postcolonial Italy. Comparing the life and afterlives of the Monument to the Fallen Soldiers of Dogali, still preserved in a public space in Rome, with monuments implicated in processes of restitution, such as the Axum Stele and the statue of the Lion of Judah, both returned to Ethiopia, the essay reflects upon the dynamics of invisibility and absence, examining decolonial claims, and new layers of memory that currently overlap in politically charged spaces.

Comparative analysis of two strengthening solutions for the structural rehabilitation of a historical masonry building

The paper presents a comparative analysis based on the Finite Element Method (FEM) for a masonry building located in Iasi, the North-Eastern side of Romania. This specific region is known to be found in a seismic area having a design peak ground acceleration of 0.25g. The building was assessed as being in the 1st seismic risk class, according to the Romanian norms, with a high probability of collapse in case of future earthquakes. Being a historical monument, the structural strengthening solutions are very limited. The study consists of modal and seismic analyses for the masonry structure. A comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of two approaches of structural rehabilitation solutions is done. The structural strengthening solution “A” consists of the addition of reinforced concrete thin wall elements, while the other - called solution “B” - consists of an interior steel profile skeleton mechanically and chemically connected to the adjacent masonry walls.

ANCIENT LANDMARKS OF DERNA AND ITS REMAINS, “AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDY”

Derna is a Libyan city, it lies between the Mediterranean Sea in the north, and El Jebel Akhdar hills in the south, its location makes it vulnerable to any natural hazards that may come from its coast or from its mountainous forests, there is no doubt that; the natural hazards are among the most hard disasters that are difficult to intervene in at any time, It comes suddenly, and may cause great disasters in a short time, this is what actually happened on September 10, when a catastrophic storm called Storm Daniel entered eastern Libya, accompanied by large amounts of rain, which led to the filling of the Derna dams, one of which was forty meters high, and they collapsed the next day, the water flowed as a result of the hurricane and the collapsed dams, sweeping away five entire neighbourhoods of the city with it, causing the deaths of thousands, Derna turned into remains and ruins that drew tears of sadness on Libya's face, fear became in the heart of the all Arab world, and everyone began to think about any solutions to this unknown fate that might come as an unwanted visitor, unexpectedly!! But are there any adjustments that need to be made? Did Derna have the Protection Measures Against Potential Hazards? Is there a possibility of reconstructing the city and its archaeological and historical buildings? Are there any hopes of restoring the history of ancient Derna? and what are the most important historical and archaeological monuments that existed and were removed by this brutal hurricane? The article tries to shed light on all these questions, to out of with results. Perhaps, if we can apply them, we will regain the old face of Derna in its new era. Key words: (Derna, hurricane, disaster, monuments, civilization, architecture, Storm Daniel)

The role of scientific and artistic intelligentsia in the salvation of cultural values (1917–1927)

The article deals with the actual problem of attitude to cultural heritage after the change of the model of social development in Russia in 1917. The contradictory processes of registration and preservation of historical and artistic values are analyzed. Based on archival sources, the activities of the All-Russian Board for the Protection of Monuments of Art and Antiquity and its local branches are shown. The role of scientific and artistic intelligentsia in saving cultural values is emphasized. The characteristics of such representatives as V.N. Peretz, M.N. Tikhomirov, K.K. Romanov, N.G. Porfiridov, L.A. Durnovo, et al are given. It is indicated that many cultural devotees in the difficult post-revolutionary period helped to preserve historical and cultural monuments with their modest work. Using their example, a collective image of such ascetics is given, the most striking features of which were the deepest intelligence, high professionalism, selfless service to society and culture, complete absence of any mercantile interests, extraordinary dedication to their work and deep awareness of their mission to save cultural values, perseverance and perseverance in its implementation. It is concluded that specialists trained in this field were involved in the rescue of artistic and historical values, thanks to which it was possible to preserve a significant part of Russia’s cultural heritage and its richest traditions.

S.V.Rachmaninov and his circle on the Southern Coast of Crimea: new pages of the history of Russian musical culture of the late XIX – early XX century.

The subject of the study is the personal history of the outstanding Russian composer S.V. Rachmaninov and other representatives of the national musical culture of the late XIX – early XX century in the historical space of the Southern coast of Crimea. The literature has repeatedly suggested that composers and musicians played a significant role in the formation of the "cultural landscape" of the Crimea of the late XIX – early XX century. However, as the authors of the article have seen studying the history of country resorts formed on the Southern Coast at the beginning of the XX century, there are still a lot of "white spots" on this "historical and cultural map". The elimination of these gaps makes it possible to fill in both the history of the Southern Coast of Crimea and biographical information about cultural actors. With the help of complex work with historical sources – documents from the State Archive of the Republic of Crimea, reference and bio-bibliographic literature, ego documents (memoirs, correspondence), including ones that have been poorly introduced into historiographical circulation, the history of S.V. Rachmaninov's stay on the Southern Coast of Crimea is reconstructed, his visits are placed in the context of the historical space in flux. The circumstances of S.V. Rachmaninov's stay on the Southern Coast of Crimea in the late XIX – early XX century have been clarified or re-established, and related historical monuments and places in Simeiz, Mishor and Yalta have been identified. The reconstructed pages of life and creative activity on the Southern Coast of Crimea by S.V. Rachmaninov, M.A. Stankevich (Golostenova), F.I. Chaliapin and their circle of colleagues, relatives, friends and acquaintances from among the creative intelligentsia, South Coast summerfolk, patrons and patrons of cultural life undoubtedly complement the picture of a rich cultural life in the historical space of the Southern Coast Crimea in the late XIX – early XX century, contributing to understanding Crimea as a important place of "historical memory" of Russia.

The Archaeology of Human–Animal Relations in Nineteenth- to Mid-Twentieth-Century Finland: Horse Burials and Cemeteries in Agrarian Landscapes

One of the most crucial issues in the study of human–animal relations is the power of humans over animal death and how it has been processed culturally by the ways animal carcasses have been treated. In this article, the post-domestic phase in human–animal relations is entered by investigating the burial of working horses in the Finnish countryside during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Toward that end, 115 horse burials, 134 cemeteries, and 61 death places or kill sites were examined through interviews with local people, and a search of literature and place names. Six burial sites were excavated and several sites surveyed in the field. The locations of all sites were analyzed with historical maps. As a result, we consider that animal graves form a significant group of historical monuments that show great variability and are associated with past land use and human–animal relations.

Destruction of the Architectural Heritage as a Result of War: The Experience of Reconstruction (Conservation and Logistical Aspects)

The article is devoted to the current topic of the destructive impact of wars on the state of historical and cultural heritage. The vulnerability of architectural monuments to the chaos of war was evidenced by the recent events of the war in Ukraine. The thesis of the article is illustrated by examples of the destruction of specific objects in Chernigov. As any war comes to an end and the question of reconstruction and restoration of the destroyed is raised, the experience of rebuilding the Old Town in Warsaw, which officially introduced a new direction in the restoration activity – restitution, is analysed, and the fate of museum collections in Slovakia is also analysed. The presented good conservation practices and their results in the reconstruction of Warsaw's historical monuments can be used in the development of detailed action plans for the reconstruction of objects related to the national heritage of Ukraine. It also seems expedient to use the principles of urban logistics when analysing and designing, and then implementing the assumptions of the operation of reconstructed historic cities.

Seismic reinforcement of buildings constructed from unreinforced masonry using shotcrete

Introduction. This work mentions the existence of traditional and non-traditional methods of seismic reinforcement of buildings and structures, including buildings built from masonry and historical architectural monuments. Concrete shotcreting, or other cementbased mortar is considered as one of the methods of seismic reinforcement, which belongs to traditional methods and is regarded the most suitable in this case, since it allows seismic reinforcement of buildings constructed from unreinforced masonry, which includes many historical architectural monuments, increasing their load-bearing capacity and at the same time almost without increasing their weight.
 
 Aim. The research is intended to contribute to the seismic reinforcement of buildings, including architectural monuments, built from unreinforced masonry to withstand future seismic impacts from natural phenomena such as earthquake.
 
 Materials and methods. A review and detailed study of the seismic reinforcement method was carried out, namely shotcrete with concrete, which is a traditional method, its advantages and disadvantages, the essence of the method and the sequence of its implementation. A review of historical earthquakes in different countries and their devastating consequences for buildings constructed from unreinforced masonry was also carried out. The in-plane behavior of unreinforced masonry supports and walls under the influence of seismic lateral forces is considered.
 
 Results. The possible practical application and steps of concrete shotcrete over a metal mesh of unreinforced masonry walls for their seismic reinforcement are proposed and clearly demonstrated.
 
 Conclusions. Conclusions have been drawn about the feasibility of using shotcrete over a metal mesh for seismic reinforcement of buildings built from unreinforced masonry, which makes it possible to save the lives of people living in them in case of earthquakes.

On Photographic Monumentalism: Nineteenth-century Representations of Architectural and Historical Sites

Abstract This article addresses the intertwined history of photography and architectural historiography in the nineteenth century. Focusing on European photography of Egyptian antiquity and Palestine’s biblical sites, it elaborates how a commemorative form of historiography deploys photographic images of what came to be known as the “historic monument” to construct notions of patrimony, historical heritage, national identity, and imperial mission. The second part of the essay discusses photographic monumentalism in Qajar, Iran, and Ottoman Turkey as different responses to Orientalist representations of Middle Eastern architecture by Europeans.

The Decorated Garden Grotto of Condes de Basto Palace in Évora, Portugal: Microbial Community Characterization and Biocide Tests for Conservation

The Eugénio de Almeida Foundation’s Casa de Fresco is a historical monument of valuable historic–artistic significance, which currently reveals an assortment of biofilms due to the proliferation of microorganisms in the stone and rocaille elements. The biodeterioration in this area was studied as part of the Conservation and Restoration Project. We effectively characterized the local microbial community using modern high-throughput DNA analysis. Our results suggested the existence of a variety of lichens or lichenized fungi, including genera such as Variospora, Verrucaria, Circinaria, and Caloplaca. Furthermore, we detected several prokaryote microorganisms related to the identification of these lichens. To properly deal with this microbiological issue and avoid fungal recolonization, we evaluated available commercial antimicrobial treatments.

Evaluating protection against lightning for historical buildings and cultural heritage monuments

A review on the lightning risk management and lightning protection of historical buildings and cultural heritage monuments is presented. Cases of lightning-related damages to historical monuments worldwide are presented with emphasis given to cases in Greece. Recorded incidents stress the need for an effective lightning protection system (LPS) design, ensuring sufficient protection of the monument against lightning, including its installations and contents, as well as persons. External LPS of several monuments and historical buildings worldwide are also presented. An external LPS has been designed for the Parthenon monument in Greece in accordance with IEC 62305. The LPS design has been evaluated based on a stochastic lightning attachment model. Revisions to the risk management of IEC 62305 with special focus on historical buildings and cultural heritage monuments are suggested. As this special category of structures is most commonly subject to constraints with respect to aesthetic intervention and construction, dedicated studies employing alternative methods for LPS design, based however on physical grounds, are required.

BEYOND GROUND CONTROL POINTS: COST-EFFECTIVE 3D BUILDING RECONSTRUCTION THROUGH GNSS-INTEGRATED PHOTOGRAMMETRY

Abstract. The process of 3D building modeling serves a multitude of practical and strategic purposes across diverse industries. Building a 3D model involves employing a range of techniques and technologies. Among these, the most used methods include 3D laser scanning and photogrammetry, whether applied at close-range or through the use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). In photogrammetry, ground control points (GCPs) are generally needed to scale and georeference the digital reconstruction process, but it is a timeconsuming practice or sometimes impractical or dangerous. This paper aims to evaluate the efficiency of two integrated devices to perform photogrammetric 3D reconstruction without GCPs. They are both composed by a Sony ZV1 camera coupled with two different RTK/PPK GNSS system: the Emlid Reach RS2 GNSS receiver and the Emlid Reach M2 module with a multi-band GNSS helical antenna. Different sets of images were acquired with the two proposed devices for the lever-arm estimation and to perform the 3D surveying of the Galata monastery historical monument. The accuracy of the process and derived dense point clouds is assessed by comparing them with GCPs and a reference point cloud derived by fusing an UAS and a high-resolution mobile laser scanning point cloud. The ultimate goal is to obtain a 3D building model without the use of GCPs in the process of bundle block adjustment with centimeter accuracy.

International Legal Framework for the Protection of Cultural Objects

Introduction. For thousands of years, historical and cultural monuments have been damaged or destroyed as a result of armed conflicts and acts of vandalism. Given the role that these sites play in the development of humanity, international humanitarian law (IHL) establishes the basis for the international legal protection of religious, cultural and scientific sites. At the beginning of the 20th century. the situation was complicated not only by the absence of a universal international treaty that would be devoted exclusively to the international legal protection of these objects, but also by an international intergovernmental organization that would develop appropriate norms and standards. These problems led to the creation in 1945 of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Thanks to the activities of this specialized UN agency, as well as the activities of a number of non-governmental international organizations, it was possible to form an international legal regime for the protection of cultural property both in peacetime and during armed conflicts.As a result of changes in the strategy of conducting armed conflicts, as well as improving the methods and means of conducting them in the 21st century, cultural objects are in great danger. In this regard, the analysis of current international legal norms and principles for the protection of cultural property in the context of international humanitarian law is of particular relevance.Materials and methods. As for the materials, we were talking about legal acts, Russian and cultural information based on the cultural traditions of international law. methodological basis based on scientific methods of lysis and synthesis, comparative legal method, scientific method of delivery.Research results. The evolution of the system of international legal protection of cultural property and world cultural heritage allows us to draw a conclusion about the comprehensive level of such protection, applied both in peacetime and in armed conflicts. The international legal responsibilities of states in this area are associated, first of all, with assessing the significance of cultural objects and giving them the appropriate legal status through national legislation or inclusion in the registers of international organizations.Discussion and conclusion. At the same time, the activities of states and international organizations related to the special designation of cultural objects in armed conflicts, the training of civilian and military personnel, and taking into account the specifics of the placement and maintenance of such objects are of particular importance. The general body of knowledge and skills for the protection and protection of cultural objects is formed by UNESCO as a specialized agency of the United Nations, which strives to preserve the universal heritage as the highest achievements of art and science.