Preservation Of Ancient Monuments Research Articles

On the history of the creation of the Old Moscow Commission: what the archival documents told about

The subject of this article is the Commission for the Study of Old Moscow, which was formed at the Imperial Moscow Archaeological Society and continued to operate after the liquidation of the IMAO. The author pays special attention to the Rules of the Commission, a program document of this community, which have been preserved both in handwritten and printed form, and in several copies. In addition, the author examines other archival documents – minutes of the Commission's meetings, which allow to highlight the issue of the activities and work of the Commission. The study of these documents also helps to understand how the Commission for the Study of Old Moscow was organized, who held the main positions and what responsibilities were imposed on them, who were the most active members of the Commission, etc. The main method of research is the method of historical analysis, which allows one to analyze the minutes of meetings and Rules of the Commission for the Study of Old Moscow and on their basis to understand how this community functioned. The main conclusions of the conducted research are, firstly, the conclusion that by 1917 the Commission for the Study of Old Moscow had become a serious scientific society, which included not only those interested in the history of Moscow, amateur Muscovites, but also professional historians, archivists, architects, etc.; secondly, the conclusion about the Commission's huge contribution to the study and preservation of ancient monuments in Moscow. In addition, the author concludes that the Commission for the Study of Old Moscow was institutionally and in many types of activities the successor of the Imperial Moscow Archaeological Society. Preserving the traditions of the IMAO and remaining faithful to its basic principles, the Commission was able to continue its activities after the liquidation of the IMAO. The novelty of the research lies in the introduction into scientific circulation of previously unpublished archival sources, a comprehensive analysis of which allows us to reconstruct the daily life of the Commission.

GEOMATICS AND CIVIL ENGINEERING INNOVATIVE RESEARCH ON HERITAGE: INTRODUCING THE “ENGINEER” PROJECT

Abstract. This paper aims to introduce the concept and objectives of a recently supported European project entitled “Geomatics and Civil Engineering Innovative Research on Heritage”, in short ENGINEER. The ENGINEER project visions to enhance and extend inter-departmental multidisciplinary research activities of the Department of Civil Engineering & Geomatics of the Cyprus University of Technology through coordination and support actions as well as through targeted research activities with the support of European leading institutions. Project tasks aim to fill research multidisciplinary gaps, push, and extend knowledge into new and innovative fields dealing with the monitoring, digitization, visualization, and preservation of ancient monuments and cultural heritage sites, assisting their protection, promotion, and safeguarding.

Инициатива В. Дадянца по изданию журнала под названием «Арцах» (1887–1888 гг.)

1930-е годы с политической, экономической и культурной точки зрения были переломными в истории Советской Армении: социалистическое строительство ознаменовал небывалый подъем, что вызвало новые проблемы в сохранении памятников старины и архитектурных сооружений, представляющих культурную ценность. Подчеркнутую нетерпимость советская власть в первую очередь проявляла к духовным институтам; многие церкви, представляющие культурную ценность, были снесены или превращены в колхозные склады, стоговища и т.д. 1930-е годы были самым тяжелым периодом также для деятельности Комитета по охране древностей Армении и его многолетнего ученого секретаря Ашхарбека Калантара. Комитет древностей в эти трудные годы, в рамках логики «идейных императивов» того времени, пытался сделать все возможное для сохранения древних памятников, представляющих историческую и археологическую ценность на территории Армении. По личной инициативе Калантара были организованы экспедиции, в результате раскопок было найдено большое количество памятников и археологические материалы, получены представляющие научную ценность новые факты и сведения. Благодаря повседневной работе и последовательности Калантара удалось спасти от разрушения ценные архитектурные памятники. С этой точки зрения проделанная Ашхарбеком Калантаром в 1930-е гг. работа, безусловно, заслуживает высокой оценки и признательности. From a political, economic and cultural point of view, the 1930s were a turning point in the history of the Soviet Armenia: socialist construction marked an unprecedented rise, which caused new problems in the preservation of ancient monuments and architectural constructions of cultural value. The soviet authorities showed emphasized intolerance, first, to the spiritual institutions; many churches of cultural value were demolished or turned into collective farm warehouses, hayfields, etc. The 1930s were also the most difficult period for the activities of the Committee for Protection of Antiquities of Armenia and its long-term scientific secretary Ashkhаrbek Kalantar. During these difficult years, the Committee of Antiquities, within the logic of the “ideological imperatives” of that time, tried to do everything possible to preserve the ancient monuments of historical and archaeological value on the territory of Armenia. There were organized expeditions on the personal initiative of Ashkharbek Kalantar; as a result of excavations a lot of monuments and archaeological materials were found, new facts and information of scientific value were obtained. Thanks to the daily work and consistency of Kalantar, valuable architectural monuments were saved from destruction. From this point of view, the work done by Ashkharbek Kalantar in the 1930s, certainly, deserves high praise and appreciation.

AN EVALUATION ON THE EFFECTS OF LANGUAGE-LITERATURE AND HISTORY-MUSEUM BRANCHES OF COMMUNITY-HOUSES ON CULTURAL HERITAGE OF TURKEY

Community Houses are important institutions that operate for public awareness with the establishment of the Republic of Turkey. In this context, it is aimed to discuss the activities of the Community Houses for protection of our cultural heritage through “Language and Literature” and “History and Museum” branches. The aim of the study is to offer an evaluation, which contributes to the activities of both branches, basing the role of Community Houses upon protection of our tangible and intangible cultural assets. While examining public knowledge and linguistic issues as part of duties and responsibilities of the “Language and Literature” branch, studies on excavation, conference, museum building, restoration and preservation of ancient monuments were analysed by the “History and Museum” branch. In this direction, a literature review was made on cultural heritage studies that had been carried out by the Community Houses until 1951, predominantly between 1933 and 1935. We have reached some information demonstrating that people realized the importance of the cultural inventory and adopted the consciousness of protecting the national values and studies on art, history, archeology increased. It has been determined that the “Language and Literature” branch tried to instil a consciousness of national culture and emphasize the language issue throughout the country. Excavations, ethnography and historical researches have been carried out with the works of the “History and Museum” branch.

The role of integrating aerial prospection into the preservation of ancient monuments in the Netherlands

In 1926 and 1932 already shots had been taken from the air to assist excavations near Laren and in the province of Groningen; just before the second World War, Von Frijtag Drabbe had made use of vertical air photographs for archaeological research. Flights continued after the war on a modest scale, owing to financial and practical constraints. Recently, Amsterdam University volunteered to contribute to the conservation of archaeological sites through a programme of aerial survey aimed at : 1°) - Overseeing archaeological sites, protected or not; 2°) - Identifying and localising potential sites, prior to possible legal protection; 3°) - Mapping sites and monuments.

Eco-Archaeometry: Interdisciplinary Applications in Egypt

One of the problems currently faced by modern society is the worldwide catastrophic deterioration of archaeological and cultural sites directly exposed to the action of the environment. Frequently, it has proved difficult to identify the processes responsible for these deteriorations, which are often the result of an abrupt change in site specific environmental conditions. To understand them a broad interdisciplinary approach is needed, and consequently, a substantial input from several disciplines, such as archaeology and archaeometric, environmental and conservation sciences, is necessary. Such interaction is particularly necessary on a basic research level, and can best be achieved if the relevant disciplines are drawn together a priori on equal footing into a complementary effort in eco-archaeometry. The primary goal of eco-archaeometry is to identify and quantify physicochemical processes which cause the deterioration of ancient cultural patrimony. Its findings are essential prerequisites for the development of optimum, safe methods for conservation and preservation of ancient monuments. Some examples of the eco-archaeometric approach in Egypt are summarised and it is demonstrated that without an interdisciplinary approach such studies would not have been successful.

Archaeology in New China

Archaeology as a branch of historical science has made new headway in the thirteen years since the founding of the Chinese People's Republic. The scale of its work has expanded and methods of research have been improved. Large numbers of young archaeological workers have been trained. In the course of the nation's gigantic economic construction, remains of ancient settlements and tombs have been uncovered in many places, yielding numerous important relics which have provided abundant data for archaeological research. Throughout the country, hosts of archaeological workers from research institutes, universities, museums and institutions for the preservation of ancient monuments are carrying out both field work and academic study and have already attained considerable success in their efforts to explore the history of ancient China on the basis of archaeological finds. All this has given further impetus to the advance of Chinese archaeology.Archaeological finds made in New China are so rich that the present article can attempt to discuss only some of the most important problems.

Recent work in the Dodecanese and Cyrenaica

Ex-Enemy territories, such as the Italian colonies in the Mediterranean, are administered on a care and maintenance basis so long as they remain under temporary allied control during the post-war interim period. It is on this basis that the U.K. undertook the administration of the Dodecanese, Tripolitania and Cyrenaica after British troops had entered those areas and, in one case, until a permanent government was established. The British Administrations set up in those territories have all established Departments responsible for caring for the ancient monuments, and these Departments have been expected to function on the same basis of care and maintenance. If the phrase were interpreted to mean care and maintenance of the antiquities as was done at the time of the Italian Administrations it would involve a very high expenditure, and this has not been possible. But a reasonable amount of work has been done. What has been achieved in two of the territories named is described briefly in the following pages. A short conclusion is added, making some recommendations for the preservation of ancient monuments, since this is a matter, especially in the Mediterranean area, which is not a private local affair but of interest to the whole world.

The Congress of Archaeological Societies

In 1888 the Society of Antiquaries of London issued a circular to many archaeological societies, which began as follows:‘In accordance with a request conveyed in a memorial from a large number of representative members of various Archaeological Societies throughout England and Wales, the President and Council of the Society of Antiquaries of London have resolved to summon a Congress of Delegates of the leading local Societies to be held in their Apartments at Burlington House on a day in the ensuing Autumn hereafter to be fixed.‘Each Society will be requested to send not more than two Delegates to the Congress, the object of which will be to consider in what manner to promote:—1. The better organization of antiquarian research, and2. The preservation of ancient monuments and records.’The year 1888, therefore, marks the actual birth of the Congress, although its first meeting was not held until 17th July, 1889.

V Archæological Exploration in India, 1910–11

The record of archæological discoveries made during the year 1910—11 must of necessity fall short of the brilliant accounts which Mr. Marshall has been in the habit of publishing in the pages of this Journal with regard to the work of previous years. Mr. Marshall himself was absent on long leave during the whole period, and while I was officiating for him I had to devote myself almost entirely to questions connected with the preservation of ancient monuments and museum administration, and to the duties of office routine.

The Preservation of Ancient Monuments

THE report of the Inspector of Ancient Monuments for the year ending March 31, 1911, is the first by the new inspector, Mr. C. R. Peers. There are 104 monuments under the care of the Commissioners of Works, forty-eight in England and Wales and fifty-seven in Scotland. During the last year fifteen monuments have been placed under the protection of the Ancient Monuments Acts, ten in England and Wales and five in Scotland. Eight of the newly-protected monuments are situate in Anglesey, all prehistoric monuments, three of which have recently been astronomically surveyed by Sir Norman Lockyer and others. Of the two prehistoric Orkney monuments now under protection, the Chambered Mound of Maeshowe has received the attention of the same authority.

Preservation of Ancient Monuments

Part II of a document on the preservation of ancient monuments, published in 1913. It deals with the causes of monument destruction, principles of repair and restoration (including short discussion of sham and deceptive treatments), monument legislation and ministerial measures in various countries (England, Italy, Austria, Prussia, Bavaria, Greece, India). Notes on future prospects. Extensive bibliography (234 entries) divided into general, legislation, restoration, preservation of building materials.