Main Monuments Research Articles

El nuevo paisaje turístico español a través de las tarjetas postales de los años 60

Si hay un producto que define lo turístico, ese es (era) la tarjeta postal (que además se apellida turística). Las postales seleccionan los encuadres de lo que hay que ver, presentan los monumentos principales de los destinos, las vistas de ciudades, sus paisajes más deseables y, además, proponen el punto de vista desde el que debemos mirar.A finales del siglo XIX, las postales comenzaron a tener ilustraciones en una de sus caras como ornamento estético (algo que dos décadas más tarde se convertiría en la propia esencia de la tarjeta postal). La postal ilustrada fue un fenómeno cultural y de comunicación fruto de los avances del fotograbado a inicios del siglo XX. Se inició entonces el consumo masivo de imágenes y la postal resultó ser el producto turístico por excelencia, un resumen del mundo que nos muestra las escenografías de la felicidad y el nuevo paisaje turístico de España.

Content analysis of Quran inscriptions in Goharshad mosque of Mashhad and Hakim mosque in Isfahan

Content analysis of Quran inscriptions in Goharshad mosque of Mashhad and Hakim mosque in Isfahan

War memories in Terra di Lavoro

Terra di Lavoro, an historical region north of Naples. Their urban centers, with historically, artistically and archaeologically of interest, suffered extensive damage in the Second World War (IIWW). When allied landing at Salerno, the continuous bombing produced heavy losses to the architectural heritage with destruction both in historical centers and in major monuments. The aim of this papers is present some experience on reconstruction applied in Terra di Lavoro. This paper was developed through the use of historical analysis. Institutional effort was analyzed in each case described. The outcomes of the economic and social policy conditioning had considerable importance as well as psychological and symbolic order. In conclusion, through the architectural heritage reconstruction, it begins a process strongly characterized by instances outside the scope of the protection and restoration, that pressed on economic and social revival of the nation through a rapid revival of tourism, from the restored face of the main monuments.

The nacency of jurisdictio voluntaria from the letter and the spirit of Roman law

The article is devoted to the history of the emergence of an idea of indisputable/voluntary jurisdiction in ancient Rome. As a research base, Digesti Justiniana was analyzed as the main monument of Roman law. There was no holistic conception of the division of jurisdiction into contested and indisputable/voluntary in ancient Rome. The terms “contested jurisdiction” and “indisputable/ voluntary jurisdiction” were not themselves used in Digest. The Digest text itself can also be considered to be only a partly authentic Latin text: first, the original has been changed by glossators and post-glossators, and secondly, the translation of such a complex text will also make its corrections to the content of the ascending text. There is no translation into Ukrainian of this monument, and the content of many fragments can be understood only in the context of specific historical and political events. However, it is evident that in ancient Rome, special procedures and proceedings, other than judicial proceedings, have begun to emerge. They were aimed at preventing violations, protecting and protecting rights through their consolidation, confirmation, and sanction, carried out on a voluntary basis and with the help of special state tools by the efforts of authorized persons. However, these processes have not received proper theoretical consolidation and substantiation. At least this is not reflected in the Digest text. In a later period, apparently thanks to the efforts of glossators and post-glossators, such procedures and proceedings were called “indisputable/voluntary” jurisdiction, and jurisdictions were divided into indisputable/ voluntary jurisdiction and contested jurisdiction. The very term “voluntariа” (“volumtarium”) is polysemantic and can be translated as voluntary, indisputable and consensual and can be interpreted as the absence of coercion by the other party, the absence of a dispute about the right or lack of duty on the part of the official persons to satisfy the requirements of those persons who turned to them for confirmation of facts or solving a difficult situation. The idea of indisputable/voluntary jurisdiction was born not so much from the “letter” of Roman law, but from its “spirit”. Article received 05.11.2018

The research on the buried public monumental complexes of Lupiae (Lecce) by geophysical prospecting

Ongoing and extensive urbanisation may threaten important archaeological structures that are still buried in urban areas. The ground penetrating radar (GPR) method is the most promising alternative for resolving buried archaeological structures in urban territories. This paper presents a case study that involves a geophysical survey employing the surface three-dimensional (3D) GPR techniques, in order to archaeologically characterise the investigated areas. The site is located in the south-western sector of the historical centre of Lecce (Apulia, Italy), where the modern city overlaps the main public monuments of the Roman municipium of Lupiae, only partially preserved or excavated: the amphitheatre, the theatre, the baths and maybe also the Forum. GPR measurements, integrated with the results of archaeological excavations and the topographical surveys of the preserved remains, were carried out in several areas regarding sectors of the ancient roman city. The GPR data were collected along a dense network of parallel profiles. The GPR sections were processed applying specific filters to the data in order to enhance their information content. The GPR images significantly contributed in reconstructing the complex subsurface properties in these modern urban areas. Strong GPR reflections features were correlated with possible ancient structures and they were integrated in the digital archaeological map of the city.

The geological structure of Kastas hill archaeological site, Amphipolis, eastern Macedonia, Greece

This paper presents research results on the geological structure of Kastas hill in Amphipolis, as well as the broader area. They consist of geological and geomorphological observations at Kastas and 133 hills and the surrounding areas, on their geological structure, the stratigraphy and the paleoenvironment. Kastas hill is the site of the largest burial mound discovered in Greece to date. The slopes of its embankment were recorded and modelled in detail using near field photogrammetry. The problem of distinguishing between in situ geological formations and ex situ anthropogenic deposits is also addressed. The bulk volume of Kastas hill consists of natural sediments; these sediments are exposed as successive alternating beds of grayish loose and cohesive sands with scattered pebbles and locally with cobbles. Clayey beds up to ~20-30 cm thick intercalate between the sands. At the top of the hill the anthropogenic deposits are typical of Macedonian tumuli, with soil and clay alternations for sealing and stabilizing them. Paleosoil horizons were observed both in natural sediments and within anthropogenic substrates. Two horizons were sampled for dating by different methods (OSL – optical stimulated luminescence and 14C – Accelerated Mass Spectroscopy). Their dating shows the development of successive deposits during the Iron, Archaic and Classical ages. The AMS dating of a charcoal which is closely associated to the construction of the main monument yielded an age of Cal. BP 2310 = Cal. 360 BC.

Velhos e novos materiais da expansão asturiana e leonesa no Ocidente peninsular entre os rios Douro e Mondego. (Muitas) hipóteses e (poucas) conclusões

Entre a segunda metade do século IX e o final da centúria seguinte, o território situado entre os rios Douro e Mondego foi um campo aberto à expansão asturiana e leonesa. Dessa dinâmica colonizadora chegou até hoje um conjunto apreciável de documentação, um número restrito de materiais tipológicos descontextualizados arqueologicamente e um ou outro monumento que, na sua complexa história, integra elementos relacionáveis com o que se conhece da arte asturiana e leonesa.Neste artigo, proponho um conjunto de hipóteses acerca da evolução de um território específico, integrado numa longa duração civilizacional. Diferentes agentes, imbuídos de distintas ambições, foram responsáveis pela alteração da paisagem e deixaram marcas físicas da sua acção. A reconstituição histórica deste fenómeno não é fácil nem isenta de dúvidas, tal como problemática é a caracterização dos principais monumentos e respectivos programas fundacionais. As igrejas de Balsemão e de Lourosa continuam a ser os mais eloquentes testemunhos nesta área, mas há novos companheiros de viagem como a torre de Trancoso, o sítio do Prazo ou as recentes descobertas na área da Senhora do Barrocal. O mais vasto panorama, contudo, comporta silêncios, hiatos e duvidosas realizações que importa questionar e contextualizar.

The Nora Virtual Tour: an immersive visit in the ancient city

The ancient city of Nora was a Phoenician, Punic and Roman settlement rising on a peninsula in the south-western coast of Sardinia. Since 1990, the University of Padova has been carrying on an interdisciplinary research project of excavation, architectural analysis, historical reconstruction and cultural promotion of tourism in this site. The excavations allow us to increase our knowledge of Middle Imperial Roman urban planning and to get a better understanding of the whole city and its history; the restoration of excavated monuments using gravels with different colours helps more than 60,000 tourists every year to recognize the function of different areas. In spite of this, visitors experience difficulty in understanding a landscape of ruins with barely visible evidence. Thus, a complete virtual reconstruction of the ancient city has become essential. 3D models of the Phoenician and Roman settlement have been developed, reshaping archaeological plans produced in 25 years by Universities that work in the site. The main monuments of the Roman city and the major crossroads have been rendered in greater detail, using sample-based textures that give a photorealistic effect and implementing the models with furniture and decorations selected through reliable sources of information. 3D reconstructions are now available for tourist groups led by a guide in the Nora Virtual Tour: stereoscopic images have been rendered and uploaded in an app for mobile headsets that provides immersive virtual reality for the users. The guide controls the devices with a tablet using a Bluetooth connection: at the beginning of the visit, the tourists can view equirectangular panoramas of the ruins taken from a helicopter, then they are accompanied to hot-spots where the ancient monuments are shown in an evocative Roman reconstruction.

Historical peculiarities of formation of small town of Shebekino structure

The article is dedicated to study of historical peculiarities which influenced the social and economic development and formation of the functional and planning structure of the small town of Shebekino of the Belgorod Region. Time scheme of land owners based on historical documentary data and scheme of territorial development during period from the 19th till 21st centuries were developed. Development of the town-forming base under rule of the town of Shebekino by the Rehbenders is considered and logical interrelation of husbandries located within their possessions is made. Main historical and extant architectural monuments of that time, their placement in the town structure were analyzed to preserve historical and cultural development and steady continuity and harmony in development of the territories.

A Study of the Simple Geometrical Relationship of the Main Monuments of Giza and a Possible Connection to Stars

There have been many books and articles written with the purpose of trying to express an underlying master plan for the major pyramids of the Giza plateau. In this paper, a simple yet accurate geometrical layout, which also includes the Sphinx monument, is demonstrated with the aid of a well-known and widely used computer program. Furthermore, the positions of stars may be added to the same program, enabling the correlation of star positions to pyramids during the time frame of their construction to be determined with accuracy and simplicity.

Aportación de la Arqueoantropología a la interpretación de la dinámica sepulcral de las tumbas megalíticas de Cameros (La Rioja, España)

We attempt to reconstruct the Neolithic and Chalcolithic funerary use of the main megalithic monuments from Cameros (La Rioja): Pena Guerra II, Collado del Mallo, Fuente Morena and Collado Palomero I. The record is analysed through a combination both of diverse archaeoanthropological parameters (osteological profile, anatomical connection, bone refitting, taphonomic alterations, bone handling) and of field data. The results suggest a complex reality where primary inhumations predominate, but where spatial arrangements (nests of skulls and bundles of long bones) and perhaps some isolated bone removal also occurred. Secondary depositions, whether in the form of cremation or not, may also have played a role.

Extramural rock-cut sanctuaries in the territory of Cyrene

AbstractChieti University's team in Libya has been mapping and studying the extraordinary patrimony in rupestrian architecture, looking at both funerary and sacred spaces. Particular attention has been paid to the rock-cut sanctuaries in the areas to the east (Ain Hofra/Bu Miliou areas) and to the west (Baggara and Budrag) of Cyrene, which also represent the most problematic zones for looting and vandalism. Therefore, the principal need for these areas has been to plan a project of mapping and recording that is as systematic as possible for this huge patrimony. The resulting data, coming from surveys, non-invasive geo-prospecting, laser scanning of the main monuments, diagnostic mapping of the damaged monuments, as well as from the excavations, have been recorded in a multilayer GIS. In combination with the surveys, a series of excavations have also been organised in several areas in order to have stratigraphic information from sample areas, which have been chosen on the basis of both their typology/monumentality and the degree of risk of damage and looting. These sanctuaries are generally located on the steep slopes of deep canyons, typically associated with water springs, wild landscape, chthonian cults and also, therefore, funerary areas. They are generally monumentalised and emphasised by rock-cut architecture. Among the most interesting finds are the sanctuaries of Budrag and Ain Hofra, with votive inscriptions, rocky altars and shrines. Particularly interesting is the discovery of a rocky high-relief statue of Dionysus, attesting a possible open-air sanctuary in the area of Baggara. It is a unique example of rocky sculpture in Cyrene and it could be one of the best-preserved examples from the Greek world. Distinguishable by their topography, architectonic features and distance from the town, these rocky sanctuaries attest to a reciprocal osmosis between Greco-Roman and Libyan cultural, artistic and ritual elements. The levels of hybridisation and reciprocity vary from case to case and from period to period, suggesting different degrees of Greco-Roman impact, which seem to be, generally speaking, inversely proportional to the distance from Cyrene, giving space and voice to the cults and rites of the local tribes.

Il rifacimento del Fondaco dei Turchi nella Venezia del secondo Ottocento

Just before Venice was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy, academics and administrators were increasingly concerned by the Fondaco dei Turchi, then little more than a ruin. The Protection commission deemed it one of the city’s four main monuments, and Selvatico had termed it a unique example of a Roman-Byzantine home-cum-warehouse, with marked Arab influences. Awaiting the opening of the Suez Canal, Venice looked to the East with great expectations, hoping to regain its old role as a trade hub. At the same time, the Fondaco dei Turchi was identified as the home for the new Civic museum, the ideal continuation of Palazzo Correr nearby, donated to the city in the 1930s. The work would continue for about twenty-four years (1863-1887), following various restoration approaches.

Approach to environmental risk analysis for the main monuments in a historical city

Abstract The analysis of environmental risk in historical cities facilitates the development of conservation strategies that can minimize the deterioration of historical heritage sites. Risk maps built with GIS software provide information about the probability of the main hazards in a region, and is a very useful tool to identify, evaluate and prioritize the restoration budget of a city in order to manage preventive conservation. In this paper, new methodologies are applied based on the vulnerability matrix and its relationship with static and structural factors, climate conditions, air quality and social agents. This technique has some obvious advantages in the application of risk analysis for cultural heritage conservation, such as the capability of simultaneous risk assessment and geographical references. The vulnerability study implies an on-site diagnosis analysis and requires an adapted protocol for archaeological heritage. The validation of this methodology was carried out in the historical town of Merida (Spain) with a GIS application (ArcGIS software), where the main monuments of this UNESCO World Heritage site were studied.

A Dynamic Online Interface Representing a Polyvalent Cultural Identity: The Case of Crete

Conceptual models offer the ability to capture several concepts, and more importantly their often complicated relationships, in one single view. When applying this method in order to represent a geographical region's past, this would mean an emphasis on the dynamic structure of the cultural phenomena represented and not on a formalistic evolutionary catalogue of data and de-contextualized information. Especially when dealing with complex and deep hierarchies or intangible notions, a conceptual model can offer an additional level of perceptual understanding. We use the Conceptual Modeling Language (ConML) in our proposed application for the presentation of the main monuments of Crete as a tool for organizing, manipulating, and communicating the large amounts of data such a project entails. Conceptualization and abstraction of information through different levels of detail allows the application to be light and easy to use. Moreover, the ability to switch between different historical periods offers a comparative study of the monuments evolution in time. Thus, we aim at a dynamic representation from the user of Crete's, an island characterized by the Mediterranean's rich and polyvalent historical development, culture.

The detonation of the Holocaust in 1941: a tale of two books

The detonation of the Holocaust in 1941: a tale of two books

The monuments of Afghanistan: history, archaeology and architecture

No history of China, India, Persia or Russia can be fully understood without continual reference to central Asia. At the heart of the region lie the deserts and mountain range of Afghanistan that even today remain largely unexplored. Yet in the past Afghanistan saw the rise of great cities, empires and civilizations such as the Kushan in the first few centuries AD, the Ghaznavid in the 11th century, and the Timurid in the 15th. Despite bearing witness to ancient and more recent battles, the scarred landscape of Afghanistan is strewn with the monuments to illustrate this rich history: from the recently uncovered Ai Khanum in the north-east and the spectacular 12th century minarets at Jam in the mountains of the west, to the magnificent palatial complexes of the 11th century sultans at Lashkar Bazar in the south and what remains of the 5th and 7th century Buddhist world of Bamiyan in the Hindu Kush - notoriously destroyed by the Taliban in 2001. This book provides a general background to the history and cultural heritage of Afghanistan. It includes broad summaries of the history, architecture and archeology, together with a gazetteer of the main monuments and archeological sites.

The role of environmental sulfur on degradation of ignimbrites of the Cathedral in Morelia, Mexico

We assess the damage on ignimbrite blocks used to build major architectonic monuments in Morelia, Mexico. Morelia belongs to the UNESCO Cultural Heritage and is located at the crossing of the Mexican Volcanic Belt, the Sierra Madre Mountains, the Coconuts and the Rivera plaques. The Cathedral and a beautiful Aqueduct are the main monuments built with blocks of ignimbrites. This study was performed on blocks of ignimbrites removed from the cathedral during a restoration campaign. We characterized the mechanical, chemical and physical properties of ignimbrite blocks from the four facades and the balustrade of the cathedral and compared them with the corresponding properties of “healthy” blocks from recently excavated nearby quarries. Techniques include mechanical testing with a sclerometer, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy, Petrography, sulfur and carbon analyses by combustion technique, X Ray fluorescence and X Ray diffraction. The blocks from nearby quarries have lower values of mechanical strengths than those used to built the cathedral, therefore, the former blocks cannot be used to replace particularly damaged blocks. We found a clear correlation between the contents of environmental sulfur and the degradation of the mechanical strength of the ignimbrites. Since the main sources of environmental sulfur in the city are motor vehicles and a paper factory in the southwest from where the main winds come from, we conclude that the damage is from anthropogenic origin.

The laterites of the Angkor monuments, Cambodia. The grouping of the monuments on the basis of the laterites.

The magnetic susceptibility, pore size, orientation of the bedding plane and chemical compositions of the laterites used in the Angkor momunents, Cambodia, were measured. The laterites used as building blocks of the 25 main monuments can be classified into porous laterites and pisolitic laterites based on the texture. Main constituent minerals of the both type laterites are the same, that is, goethite, hematite, kaolinite and quartz. These laterites are supposed to be formed by weathering of sandstone and conglomerate. Based on the average pore size and magnetic susceptibility of these laterites, the investigated monuments can be classified into 5 groups (Groups A to E) except for two monuments of Phnom Krom and Banteay Srei. This grouping is also supported by As, Sb, Sr and V contents of laterites. The laterites of the Groups A, C and E are rich in As, Sb and Sr, but poor in V compared with those of the Groups B and D. These facts suggest that the quarries from which the laterites were mined changed with the time. The investigation of the bedding plane of the laterite blocks revealed that the percentage of the laterite blocks with the vertical bedding plane is high (about 30 to 75%) in the monuments constructed prior to Angkor Wat, but low (less than 14%) in Angkor Wat and subsequently constructed monuments. Judging from the petrographic similarities of the laterites used for the embankments of the two ponds ajacent to Prasat Suor Prat and Khleangs, it is concluded that the ponds were constructed in the same age as Khleangs.

The stone materials of the Angkor monuments, Cambodia. The magnetic susceptibility and the orientation of the bedding plane of the sandstone.

The Angkor monuments are the World Cultural Heritages constructed in the 9th century to the 13th century. Sandstone, laterite and brick are the main stone materials used in the monuments. In this study, the sandstones used in the 28 main monuments were investigated and compared to each other. The sandstones can be divided into three types : (1) grey to yellowish brown sandstones, (2) red sandstone and (3) greenish greywacke. The grey to yellowish brown sandstone is most popular and used in almost all monuments. Based on the magnetic susceptibility of the grey to yellowish brown sandstone, the investigated monuments can be divided into 8 groups except for Banteay Srei. This may suggest that the quarry of the sandstones changed with the times. For the grey to yellowish brown sandstones, there is however no significant difference in regard to the constitutent mineral, bulk chemical composition and chemical compositions of plagioclase and garnet. The percentage of the sandstone blocks with the vertical bedding plane decreased abruptly after West Mebon construction. This fact means that the monuments have began to be constructed with taking account the orientation of the bedding plane of the sandstone after West Mebon construction.