Search

The history of organized monument conservation in India dates back to the colonial rule. The colonial conservation programme sought to exclude local communities from conservation. Monument conservation became a centralized and technocratic enterprise. Post-independence, the trend of exclusion of local communities continued, deeply reflected in the laws governing ancient monuments. This has, on the one hand, contributed to the weakening of cultural ties between the communities and the monuments. On the other hand, issues such as staff shortage and inadequate monitoring by government agencies have plagued the physical governance of monuments. Globally though, there has been a substantial rethinking around the "value" of cultural heritage and the role that local communities may play both in the enhancement of their value and in their conservation. In light of the aforesaid, the authors in this article have argued for the need to rethink the ancient monuments of India as cultural commons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review article explores the trajectory of vernacular architectural documentation and preservation in China, including both notable successes and unfortunate failures. While the documentation and preservation of monuments of the past have a long-recorded history, the story of the 'discovery', documentation, and preservation of vernacular sites—individual structures as well as building complexes—is less known. This essay presents how 'outsiders'—mainly intrepid academics within China—travelled to out-of-the-way villages and towns after 1949 to find historic structures that were known to local residents but not to the broader world, even within China. Tragically, their findings were unpublished for decades. During politically charged periods, there was an orgy of calamitous destruction of countless vernacular buildings, an astonishing loss caused by the abandonment, renovation for alternative uses, and even razing of historic residences, temples, lineage halls, bridges, and walls in both rural and urban areas. Despite these enormous losses, many today marvel at the abundance of seemingly 'historic' structures that are still standing. This essay examines the roots of this apparent contradiction. Rural revitalisation has become a national issue for China in recent decades. In support of this initiative, an extraordinary amount of successful historic preservation work in villages has been accomplished. Today, unlike in the past, heritage protection focuses on broader village landscapes rather than on individual buildings. The challenges of preserving architectural sites are centred around issues of restoration versus recreation as well as redevelopment, that is, demolition followed by reconstruction. The commodification of heritage through the acceleration of tourism continues to have both positive and negative impacts. Judgements about authenticity often continue to be at odds with investors' need to recoup costs and ensure ongoing profits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The management of heritage sites is fundamental to their conservation and sustainability, and more broadly, it contributes to the preservation of the environment. This article highlights the conservation plan developed for one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Algerian context: the M'Zab Valley in Ghardaïa. It has managed to preserve its specific character over the centuries thanks to the management operations that have been necessary for its continuity. The main question of this study is what are the management actions adopted in the M'Zab Valley with regard to the Ksourian architectural heritage to ensure its sustainability? Given the exploratory nature of this research, we chose a qualitative and inductive method. The study is based on a combination of several investigative tools: interviews, observations and photographs. The aim of the article is to highlight the efforts made by the Algerian public authorities and the local community to implement cultural heritage management measures in a particular context. The results of the analysis reveal, first, that the implementation of the permanent plan for the safeguarding and enhancement of the protected sector of the M'Zab Valley has proven itself in the preservation of monuments, sites and historic buildings, but also all the contexts associated with the daily life of people. Second, the rehabilitation operations of the historic ksour shall ensure the authenticity of the buildings and their integrity with the environment will be kept while adapting them to the current needs of users. Third, the combination of efforts between public institutions, the Office for the Protection and Promotion of the Valley of M'Zab, the local community and associations avoided the weakening of traditions and ancestral values through awareness missions, heritage education programmes, the application of heritage laws and regulations, and scientific and historical documentation of local heritage. Finally, the involvement of the local community in all operations on their local heritage ensures the transfer of local knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of lichens on the conservation of monuments, such as the World Heritage Site (WHS) of Cappadocian churches, presents a multifaceted challenge for conservators. Previous studies have shown that lichens can both induce deterioration processes of stone through their penetration into the substrate and chemical interactions as well as provide bioprotection, forming encrustations including calcium oxalate layers, which help mitigating the effects of weathering, reducing water penetration and eolian erosion. Evaluating the impact of lichens requires a comprehensive understanding of various factors, which include the type of rock substrate, the colonizing lichen species, the monument architecture, and the prevailing physic-chemical weathering processes. This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the impact of lichen colonization on Saint Simeon Church in the Paşabağı Valley (Turkey) with a multidisciplinary approach to investigate the interplay between lichens, microclimatic conditions, and the degradation of stone. Specifically, this study examines the influence of wind-driven rain (WDR) occurrences on lichen distribution and stone weathering to develop comprehensive conservation strategies. The results confirmed the previous observations and showed a prevalence of the protective role of lichens over their deterioration. The northwest side of the church, despite being heavily impacted by environmental factors such as WDR and freezing–thawing cycles, showed reduced deterioration due to extensive lichen coverage. In contrast, the northeast side, with lower lichen colonization, demonstrated more severe deterioration. These findings suggest that integrating the protective aspects of lichen colonization into conservation strategies can enhance their preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Interventions are essential for the management of built heritage because they extend the lifespan of buildings and enable them to be enjoyed by multiple generations. International organisations and institutions, such as UNESCO and ICOMOS, have adopted doctrinal documents over time, stimulating best practices in built heritage management worldwide. Although these documents are often referenced in academic work, they are seldom systematically researched. Which interventions are referenced or omitted? Are they defined? What trends are noted in the understanding of best practices as interventions? Design/methodology/approach: This research consists of a systematic content analysis of nine international doctrinal documents, which were selected from nearly seventy international doctrinal documents—mainly adopted by UNESCO and ICOMOS. The main aim is to reveal and compare the concepts used for reference interventions and further use the definitions to reveal and discuss the relationships between them. The trends of these interventions being used were determined based on the frequency of mentions per intervention term in the selected documents. Findings: Regarding the definition of the intervention concepts, there are three main findings. First, instead of being treated as a single concept, 'conservation' has been presented as an umbrella concept for other interventions and thus has been the most popular concept since the first version (1992) of the New Zealand Charter was implemented. In contrast, 'preservation' remains a single concept, among the highest scales, to maintain the integrity of built heritage, including use. Second, 'repair' was found to play a paradoxical role between 'restoration' and 'reconstruction', which created divergent opinions in the documents. Third, since the notions of 'use' have expanded from the functions of monuments (International Charter for the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites: The Venice Charter, 1964) to the 'associations of places' (The Burra Charter: The Australia ICOMOS Charter for Places of Cultural Significance, with associated Guidelines and Code on the Ethics of Co-existence, 1999; The Burra Charter: The Australia ICOMOS Charter for Places of Cultural Significance, 2013), which include activities, traditional habits, accessibility, etc., the complexity of mentioning different forms of 'use' has led to some (re)interventions, such as 'adaptation', 'adaptive reuse', and 'rehabilitation', being put into grey areas and used interchangeably. Originality: This research advances the current understanding of intervention concepts and their relationships, as well as differences and similarities in definitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The paper presents deep learning models to detect damage typology in patterned tiles. • Images of 5 classes of patterned tile damages were collected and annotated. • A new procedure based on a deep learning is proposed for damage detection in tiles. • Limitations in detecting damages on patterned tile surfaces are discussed. A prominent feature in Portuguese historic architecture is Portugal's azulejos or tiles that cover cultural heritage buildings with colorful patterns. However, tiles are prone to deterioration due to the quality of masonry materials, exposure over time, and natural and human factors. A careful approach is necessary to detect and assess tile damage in time to conserve cultural heritage. Deep learning (DL) methods are applied to detect deterioration and damage by automating vision-based monitoring. This study uses the You Only Look Once (YOLO), method to detect deterioration in tiles automatically. To obtain the initial dataset, over 5000 images of damage were collected, including cracks, craters, glaze detachment, and tile lacunae, as well as images with no defects. Additionally, a MobileNet model was used for binary classification of damaged and intact tiles to compare classification and detection approaches. Through the fine-tuning of hyperparameters and updating the dataset, an overall accuracy of over 72% for YOLO (multiple classification) and 97% accuracy for binary classification was achieved, demonstrating the adequacy of the tool for real-world applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bonnie Effros's book, "Incidental Archaeologists: French Officers and the Rediscovery of Roman North Africa," provides a detailed history of French colonial obsession with Roman remains in Algeria and Tunisia. Effros explores the careers and writings of French officer-archaeologists, the violence and displacement caused by their excavations, and their influence on the development of archaeology in France. The book highlights how the search for historical justification was integral to the colonial project and examines the multivalent discourse on the classical past, which held different meanings for various groups, including foreign legionnaires, political prisoners, and North Africans themselves. Effros also acknowledges the complexity and nuance of the colonial situation, with evidence suggesting a range of choices, negotiations, and resistance exhibited by both Europeans and North Africans. [Extracted from the article]

In this study, an analysis was conducted on the seismic response of three archaeological structures located in the Chichén Itzá area. The objective of this analysis was to gather relevant information that may be utilized to monitor and ensure the preservation of these monuments. Ambient seismic noise measurements were conducted over three days using broad-band seismographs. The objective was to assess the vibration frequencies of three buildings, namely Las Monjas, El Caracol and El Castillo or Kukulkan Pyramid, using HVSR method. The findings indicate that the dominant frequency of the El Caracol building is 1.3 Hz. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that within the Las Monjas and El Castillo structures, an observable fundamental frequency of 5.1 Hz is present, accompanied by a relative amplification of around 6. The findings of this study indicate the behavior of the two pyramids can be likened to that of a soil layer overlaying a stiff stratum. The noise recorded by a seismograph at the base of El Castillo enables the observation of a kinematic interaction phenomenon resulting from the disparate stiffness properties of the soil and the structure. No directional effect was observed on the HVSR ratios due to internal irregularities in the pyramids. Considering the half-width of the base of each pyramid and that the site response is of topographic origin, the calculus of shear velocity is 255 m/s. This velocity relates to non-compact materials resting on competent rocks with velocities more than 1000 m/s, materials subject to stress changes that may eventually lead to structural degradation. The findings of this study indicate the need for continuous monitoring and instrumentation of lower levels to assess the influence of substructures during preconstruction stages and determine whether there are any other effects due to the karstic nature of the subsurface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The selection of the optimal methodology for the 3D geometric documentation of cultural heritage is a subject of high concern in contemporary scientific research. As a matter of fact, it requires a multi-source data acquisition process and the fusion of datasets from different sensors. This paper aims to demonstrate the workflow for the proper implementation and integration of geodetic, photogrammetric and laser scanning techniques so that high-quality photorealistic 3D models and other documentation products can be generated for a complicated, large-dimensional architectural monument and its surroundings. As a case study, we present the monitoring of the Mehmet Bey Mosque, which is a landmark in the city of Serres and a significant remaining sample of the Ottoman architecture in Greece. The surveying campaign was conducted in the context of the 2022–2023 annual workshop of the Interdepartmental Program of Postgraduate Studies "Protection Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Monuments" of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and it served as a geometric background for interdisciplinary cooperation and decision-making on the monument restoration process. The results of our study encourage the fusion of terrestrial laser scanning and photogrammetric datasets for the 3D modeling of the mosque, as they supplement each other as regards geometry and texture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The alcobaça monastery currently exhibits an extensive bacterial pink biofilms. • This biodeterioration evidence seems to be associated with salt efflorescences. • The colour is probably due to the production of bacterial pigments. • High-throughput sequencing allowed the identification of pink-pigmented bacteria. • This study is helpful to determine the best cleaning procedure to be implemented. The Alcobaça Monastery (Portugal), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, currently exhibits a high degree of surface alterations of the stone architectural elements inside the church, including an extensive pink coloration in the walls and columns, bacteria biofilms, and salt efflorescences. The main goal was to identify the microbiota that colonizes the walls and columns of this monument, to help custodians and conservators-restorers in the selection of the correct procedure to be adopted for the conservation of the monument. Regarding the observed pink discoloration, and considering previous studies, we hypothesize that is caused by biofilms formed by bacteria or other microorganisms that produce pigments of the same color, particularly carotenoids. Curiously, a distinct phenomenon was noticed: the pink discoloration always seems to appear at a very similar height in most of the columns and walls, starting at 40 cm to the floor and associated with the presence of salts on the walls. Using high-throughput sequencing approaches, we were able to characterize the microbial community present. We identified several bacteria that are producers of pink pigments and halotolerant such as Rubrobacter radiotolerans, Domibacillus robiginosus, Bacillus licheniformis and Halalkalicoccus sp. that develop in areas of high salinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• It is necessary for experts to evaluate their conservation proposals by examining how non-professionals perceive them. • Luminance changes better support recognizing new elements than textural distinctions. • Eye-tracker responds better to scientific needs than to design needs of architects and conservators. • Consultation based on simpler methods of research should be conducted prior to the use of an eye-tracker. Eye trackers are more and more often employed by scientists willing to learn more about how cultural heritage is perceived. However, designers very seldom make use of this technology, primarily perhaps due to its expensive and time-consuming nature. By choosing not to employ eye trackers they limit themselves to their own ideas and choices, at the same time forfeiting all the potential advantages of social consultations with non-professionals. One can easily imagine that their work and its effects would only benefit should a way be found to make eye-tracking tests more logistically and financially feasible or if another measure was established that would make it possible to learn the visual reactions of regular people. This paper focuses on perception of anastylosis. There are numerous types of damaged structures that get reassembled and multiple ways of doing that. While most doctrinal documents assert that the original object and the added elements should be easily distinguishable, the two solutions, most often chosen by designers is to make the cavity fillings differ in either texture or luminance from the original material. It is obvious that this results in a large range of solutions to choose from – from shallow indentations in the stone surface to deep ones, from stone just a shade brighter than the original to a distinct cream-white one. Since it is impossible to test all the possible variations using eye trackers, the authors of this paper tried a different approach. Eleven different virtual images were prepared of the same reassembled ionic column. They varied in the level of modifications applied to either the texture or the luminance of the cavity fillings. The entire set of eleven stimuli was then shown to a group of professionals in the field of architecture and/or conservation of monuments. They were asked to choose the best stimuli, that is those that facilitate the differentiation of the old and new parts of the structure by non-professionals. Thus, reduced set of three stimuli was then used in an eye-tracking tests involving over 100 participants. The eye-tracking data, combined with the results of previous research on the perception of anastylosis allowed the authors to formulate several conclusions. It turned out that the images selected by the professionals were far from those that would potentially stimulate and help non-professionals the most. However, the obtained information allowed formulating a few basic guidelines as to the use of differences in texture and luminance in anastylosis. It also made it possible to find a financially and logistically feasible alternative to the demanding eye-tracking tests when it comes to introducing social consultations into the designing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines how monumental preservation at the Taj Mahal leveraged the broader goals of national and international agencies including UNESCO and other UN bodies, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, to address the wicked problems of pollution, pro-poor tourism, and sustainable development. I suggest that the Taj, and more specifically its future preservation, is bound up in a set of conflictual connectivities and centrifugal forces that far exceed normative heritage and conservation practice. Thus the Mughal tomb became 'the critical receptor' and nodal site for an onslaught of international technical, economic, developmental and conservation schemes attempting to link cultural conservation with environmental concerns, in concert with social and economic uplift, well-being and urban resilience. What remains after decades of foreign studies, consultancies, technical reports, preservation monitoring and novel technologies? And how might we disentangle those wicked problems encircling monumental preservation in an era of environmental and political toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the formulation of socialist conservation policy under Soviet regimes. It shows how, with the realization of the Marxist-Leninist-Stalinist doctrine, a specific attitude toward the preservation of artistic monuments and cultural heritage emerged and how it changed in the course of the great historical ruptures leading up to the disintegration of 'real socialism'. Special attention is paid to the work of Igor Emanuelovich Grabar, who had a central influence on Soviet monument preservation as a whole. The article presents the problems of formation of a specifically socialist conception of monument preservation, which began with the first socialist revolution at the beginning of the last century and influenced other countries under the rule of communist parties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New perceptions in Greek national historiography during the late nineteenth century brought forward new heritage paradigms. In the interwar, Athens' Byzantine heritage was thoroughly studied, protected by special laws, and popularized to wider audiences. After the Second World War Byzantine and ancient remains were given equal attention. The nineteenth-century neoclassical legacy came to take a place in the discussion about heritage at a time when the first apartment blocks made their appearance and it, too, would be protected by special laws. Through aspects of identification, protection, and restoration of Athens' built heritage, this paper explores the physical and discursive articulation of the city's past. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyzes the specifics of the Secession period buildings in the regional centres of this style formation in Ukraine. Along with the four main centres (Lviv, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa), there were smaller Secession centres in provincial cities. The character of the style in these centres was influenced by belonging to the Austro-Hungarian or Russian Empire. Compared to the European Secession and the Secession in the main centres, the Secession in the province felt the influence of local strata, which introduced the term "provincial secession". However, these facilities are part of the historic environment of the former administrative centers of the provinces, medium and small towns. It was determined that the events of the Russian-Ukrainian war led to the destruction of many objects of valuable background buildings, and planned repairs and restoration of even non-destroyed objects are not carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is devoted to the classification of regeneration methods of buildings damaged by factors of aging, emergency situations and military events. Regeneration is becoming more urgent due to the destruction of a large number of historical quarters by military aggression. Different methods inherent in the regeneration of destroyed neighborhoods are classified, namely restoration, reconstruction and various options for new construction. The methods are illustrated with examples of their use mainly based on the experience of regeneration of Kyiv Podol district and other historical areas of Ukraine, as well as foreign ones. In the complex regeneration of neighborhoods, the preservation of architectural monuments, the restoration of the most valuable and preserved objects of the historical background building, the reconstruction of a certain part of the built objects that have value due to their facade solutions, new construction with the reproduction of the traditional character of the environment in various forms. At the moment, the new construction takes on the solution of modern urban planning and functional requirements for city centers as much as possible, and also serves as a hub of ideas for engineering reconstruction of the entire quarter, is the basis of sustainable development. Defined methods of ensuring the diversity of facade sweeps, which corresponds to the nature of background buildings and forms effective scenarios for pedestrian spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of analytical studies to establish the authentic component composition of the brick crumb plaster, which was used to furnish architectural monuments of the 10th -- 12th centuries. In laboratory conditions, a number of experimental studies aimed at the production of brick crumb plaster according to the historical recipe were performed. However, a number of requirements were set for such plaster, according to which it must meet European and domestic requirements for drying renovation plasters. The peculiarity of such plasters is low compressive strength (1.5 -- 5.0MPa), high porosity (>45 %) and a low coefficient of resistance to water vapour diffusion (<12), which allows drying overmoistened walls and at the same time extracting salts from them and accumulating them in the pores of their volume. In the process of experimental research, the historical recipe of the plaster was slightly modified, which made it possible to obtain a plaster with the specified parameters. The performance of plastering works with a scientifically based recipe of brick crumb renovation plaster on an architectural monument in the city of Chernihiv gave a positive result with a decrease in salinity and humidity of the walls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article deals with the role of photographic documentation in conservation efforts. Using the example of Islamic sites in Libya, historic inn buildings located in Ukraine and Poland, the centres of Polish historic cities destroyed during World War II, and the monuments of Ukraine destroyed during the period of "militant atheism," World War II, and the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war, it is proven that often photographic documentation of objects becomes the main source of information about destroyed or damaged objects. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the value of photographic documentation for conservation and preservation efforts. The authors point out that it can also be used for eye-tracking studies of visual perception of conservation objects, both by local communities, i.e., nonprofessionals in the field of architecture, as well as perception by architects and conservators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The M'Zab Valley, located in Ghardaïa in southern Algeria, was classified by UNESCO as a world heritage site in 1982. The M'Zab valley has benefited from numerous restoration, rehabilitation, and consolidation projects to ensure the preservation of its monuments and historical sites. This article focuses on social sustainability, a key element of sustainable development and a crucial component of cultural heritage protection. The study aims to identify and assess social sustainability in two fortified villages (Ksour) in the M'Zab Valley. The research uses the case study method in the M'Zab valley's unique social context, taking into account several indicators: social networking, safety, and security, sense of attachment, quality of the home, and quality of life, measured through a survey of 200 households. Results show that the indicator that locals value most is "quality of housing", whereas "participation" is less significant. Only 5.0% of residents of Al-Atteuf and 7.0% of those in Beni-Isguen express a need to leave or change residences. This article also contributes to highlighting the Mozabite community's advantages and challenges, especially after the social and cultural changes that society has undergone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The monuments of Iasi, from the perspective of urban sociology, are part of the social life, with human interactions, specific to congested urban areas. From the viewpoint of this discipline, the structures, changes, and problems of the Iași urban community provide elements for the planning and elaboration of urban conservation policies and the restoration of several monuments. In this sense, urban sociology uses a variety of analytical tools such as sociological observation, social theory, interviews, as well as other methods and techniques for the study of specific subjects, such as the relationships between individuals in the urban socialization process, demographic and economic trends, poverty, the effects of urbanization with all the negative aspects regarding the destruction of some monuments on feelings of social alienation and anonymity (elements studied in the Chicago School by Max Weber and George Simmel). The purpose of this paper is precisely to capture the feelings and their perception by the subjects investigated in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Art History / Sanat Tarihi Dergisi is the property of Ege University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

• It is feasable to use traditional hewing methods to produce beams for the structural repair of cultural heritage buildings. • It takes approximately 45 min per meter to hew squared beams 18 × 22 cm in cross section from spruce logs of suitable diameter by means of the low-work hewing method. • The time required for hewing spruce logs can be reduced by up to one-third by soaking the logs in water for several months after felling. • The costs and time required for producing hand-hewn versus machined structural elements are comparable, but there is an incomparable difference in ecological footprint and the effects on preservation of the carpentry craft. The hand-hewing of timber has been a fundamental skill for carpenters throughout history. Inevitably though, the majority of wood used in construction at the present time is processed with the use of machines. Repairing heritage objects with machined wood however, as opposed to working replacement timber using similar craft methods and tools as those used in the original, is often in conflict with the principles set forth in the Venice Charter for the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites. Ultimately, relying on mechanization is a missed opportunity to contribute to the preservation of valued intangible cultural heritage. Whereas the sustainability of traditional woodworking techniques and technologies can be promoted by applying them in the conservation of historical wooden buildings, the labor-intensive and time-consuming nature of manual woodworking makes feasibility questionable. In order to provide valuable insight for planners and monument care workers, the paper presents a study on the time demands associated with processing hand-hewn beams intended for use in the structural repair of wooden heritage objects. A series of experiments was conducted wherein a total of 94 beams 18×22 cm in profile and 2.5 m in length were hewn from spruce logs of various diameters. The relationship between initial log diameter and required processing time is presented as a linear function. The relative proportions of the individual steps to the hewing process as a whole were also documented and showed a clear dependency on the total amount of material removal required. The overall processing time was significantly reduced in the case of timber that was soaked for several months before being hewn into beams, and the low-work hewing technique was shown to be more efficient in comparison to high work on trestles. This paper has been published in memory of Petr Růžička, the great pioneer of forgotten carpentry techniques whose work opened a window to our past for future generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technical rehabilitation and strengthening of the Chemnitz viaduct The Chemnitz viaduct, which was built between 1901 and 1909 for a four‐track operation, is being technically refurbished and reinforced for modern use in accordance with the requirements of the historical monument preservation. The two inner tracks will be used for future railway traffic, while the outer bridge structures will accommodate inspection, maintenance and emergency routes as well as technical equipment. The approx. 275 m long and 17.50 m wide bridge structure consists of two arch and ten beam segments. During the technical repair, the inner beam segments were renewed and constructed as a steel‐concrete composite structure. The other structures were repaired, strengthened and supplemented with a reinforced concrete structure above the hump plates. This article begins with an overview of the existing structure and its prospective use. This is followed by explanations of the planning, tendering and execution of the construction work. Subsequently, various measures for technical repair and reinforcement are described. The article concludes with a brief summary of the experience gained with the Chemnitz viaduct in terms of refurbishment and monument protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current trend of conservation of immovable monuments is – in addition to ongoing maintenance and protection – adaptation. Simply taking care of a monument is not an effective way to keep it in good repair if it is not used. Utility is the primary function of architecture, as buildings are erected for this purpose only. No building can survive without function, especially a centuries-old one. This is because the lack of a user condemns any monument to destruction, which leads to ruin and, ultimately, to demolition. Therefore, proper adaptation to new functions and current technical conditions is necessary. In the process of adaptation, all the heritage values of the object should be brought out and only then should new ones be introduced, taking into account the integrity of the monument and ensuring authenticity. Sacred architecture has special cultural and historical values, both tangible and intangible, i.e. spiritual. Continually discussed adaptations of religious buildings in the case of Judaic religious buildings destroyed and abandoned after World War II proved to be the best way to reclaim synagogues. The Kielce synagogue is one of the early examples of adaptation to another function. The building, destroyed during World War II, was rebuilt in the 1950s in a different form than the original one, for use as an archive. This historic building, however, has been standing useless for more than a decade now, and this fact has a destructive effect on its heritage value, therefore it is necessary to take action as soon as possible. Numerous concepts for this building located in a prestigious area in Kielce can be produced, which will be presented and evaluated in terms of substantive potential of utilizing its value in a new incarnation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to manage problems arising from rainwater/rock interaction in Miocene sandstones (calcareous litharenites) widely used in various monuments of the Ebro Valley (NE of Spain), a survey has been conducted with particular application to the building and architectural decorative materials of the Cathedral of Huesca. Once the current state of decay was diagnosed and the processes of alteration (enhanced by certain intrinsic factors and their particular exposure to the environmental conditions) were detected, a pre-restoration experimental assay was conducted. On the one hand, to propose the best stone replacement, this study evaluates the compatibility of the available sandstones in the local market based on their intrinsic features, especially those related to hydric behaviour. Once the most suitable sandstone was selected, pore size distributions were determined along with accelerated ageing cycles to show the importance of selecting properly the potential replacement sandstone. In a second step, to determine the effectiveness and long-term efficacy of four water-repellent products, several on-site and laboratory tests were performed. From the experimental results obtained, remedial works have been proposed which will be useful not only for the restoration programme of this monument, but also for other emblematic architectural Heritage in the Ebro Valley. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

War always results in civilian casualties and destruction of civilian infrastructure, architectural monuments and historic buildings. Systematic analysis of the current situation of historic sites in the occupied territories reveals fundamental problems and unresolved issues in preserving the heritage of areas that are not under the control of the Kyiv government. There are shortcomings in the regulatory framework of legal status, protection and preservation, as well as violations in the occupied territories. The activities ofvarious countries in determining the status of historical monuments are reviewed. Positive and negative aspects of the policy of protection and restoration of cultural heritage objects are outlined, and practical recommendations are made for improving the protection of historical monuments in the occupied territories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field of nanotechnology has revolutionized the architectural sector, particularly in the domain of preserving cultural heritage. The gradual deterioration and degradation of ancient and heritage buildings pose significant challenges for the conservation of our cultural legacy. This review aims to emphasize the crucial role of nanotechnology in extending the lifespan of archaeological materials and artefacts, which are essential components of our cultural heritage. Archaeology encompasses both theoretical and applied methods, with applied archaeology involving activities such as excavation, restoration, and monument conservation. These practices heavily rely on the integration of novel findings from various disciplines including physics, chemistry, and geology. Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising approach within the realm of applied archaeology, offering innovative solutions for the preservation of organic and inorganic archaeological materials. This research focuses specifically on the applications of nanotechnology in conserving and restoring inorganic archaeological materials, particularly stone artefacts and buildings constructed from materials such as limestone or sandstone. By exploring the potential benefits and highlighting the significance of nanotechnology, this study seeks to underscore its role in safeguarding our cultural heritage and promoting sustainable construction practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates land use transformation in Kandahar's old city, also known as Ahmad Shahi city, the birthplace and first capital of modern Afghanistan. The city consists of four rectangular quarters and is surrounded by a high strong mud wall, entrance gates, and a moat. In the early 20th century, the city experienced significant and arbitrary expansion, which certainly affected the urban fabric of the area, the streets were widened, and the city wall, towers, and gates were demolished, and the area was added to the construction of new government buildings, commercial establishments, and residential plots. This study aims to evaluate the alterations in the old city's urban morphology, culture, and sociology by conducting a comparative analysis of three maps from different time periods and considering various factors within the target area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Late Modernist architectural works are confronted with an ambivalent situation between heritage acknowledgement and physical destruction. The text aims to explain the growing interest in their protection as a natural evolution of monument preservation, yet simultaneously questions the effectiveness of current procedures regarding the specifics of the given architecture. The Mäusebunker case study illustrates an approach of institutionalized preservation in terms of an architectural strategy of adaptive reuse, focusing more on the preservation of principle than of the image. It presents a method of working with post-war architecture that focuses on its active engagement with contemporary life within the values of sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The documentation of cultural heritage objects requires a special approach, as does the collection of materials describing a monument over a period of time. With the development of measurement and information technologies, such documentation can be supplemented by a digital model of the object, a 3D visualization in a computer environment, or a miniature, scaled 3D printout. This paper presents a methodology for developing the 3D documentation of the Monument to the Polish Diaspora Bond with the Homeland, a sculpture located in Koszalin, Poland. In the study, terrestrial laser scanning supplemented with photos was used for non-invasive measurements, and existing free software was used to generate a 3D model. The results of the study can supplement the technical documentation of an object so as to preserve its characteristic features and ease the conservation of monuments. The proposed approach to modelling 3D monuments can be used to create HBIM documentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimentation in engineering design: Multihalle Mannheim The Mannheim Multihalle, an outstanding example of engineering architecture, requires substantial renovation work. The unique free‐form gridshell, designed by Frei Otto, was originally planned as a temporary structure for Germany's National Garden Show of 1975. After the event, the hall was used in many different ways, but over the years, deformations and damage occurred, making refurbishment necessary. The challenge is to preserve the load bearing characteristics of the structure, meet building code requirements, and preserve the original material as much as possible. The engineering firm Fast+Epp is responsible for the renovation of the roof structure and relies on an experimental approach. An evolutionary optimization algorithm is being used to determine areas of reinforcement and to minimize the amount of additional material. The renovation concept also includes a partial restoration of the geometry of the gridshell in order to improve the load‐bearing behavior and to preserve the character of the lightweight structure. As part of the rehabilitation, a trial repair is carried out to gain knowledge of the feasibility and impact of the proposed measures. The renovation of the Multihalle is a complex task in which both technical and monument preservation aspects have to be taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cement as a material used in the historical reconstructions of the Palace of Knossos. • Identification of the types of salts and crusts by WDXRF, XRD, FTIR and μ-Raman. • Formation of gypsum crusts and thenardite efflorescence resulting from the deterioration process of the cements. • Importance of material characterisation for the conservation of monuments. The Palace of Knossos, located on the island of Crete, Greece, is one of Europe's most important archaeological sites, serving as a testament to the Minoan civilization. Situated near the Mediterranean Sea, it is in close proximity to the seaport, airport, and industrial areas. Decay products commonly found in historical monuments within or near urban areas, such as black crusts and salt efflorescence, are also prevalent at the Palace of Knossos. To better understand the characteristics of the type of deterioration compounds found on cement in historical reconstruction zones, as well as their possible relationship with factors influencing the deterioration process, a multi-analytical approach was designed for the study of these materials. The results indicate that the black crusts primarily consist of gypsum and carbonaceous matter. However, the efflorescence salts are predominantly composed of thenardite instead of halite, despite the palace's proximity to the coastal area. These results may contribute to ongoing and future maintenance and preservation efforts for the monument. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mediante el método de trabajo del INAH en el salvamento arqueológico en las obras del Tren Maya se ha logrado adecuar una estrategia para unificar y jerarquizar las acciones de investigación y protección de monumentos arqueológicos. En este artículo se exponen los fundamentos de la metodología utilizada y se dan ejemplos que ¡lustran el tipo de medidas que se implementan para interveniry proteger los bienes patrimoniales en el área de construcción. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The material is mainly an organized mixture of geogenic sediments and plant fibers. • These components were mixed, overlapped and compressed to form an internally organized fabric. • The product is a mechanically resistant low porous 'suspension-like' blend. • These fabric attributes produce an efficient water circulation control system. • Composition as well as manufacture and decay effects vary from one chullpar to another. This work presents a first approach to compositional and structural aspects of the building material in some chullpares in Huayllani-Condor Amaya (La Paz, Bolivia). A multi-technique method is proposed and tested in order to explore the raw material selection and technical choices, seeking for a better understanding of the chullpar's builders' technological knowledge and the long preservation of these ancient monuments. As a corollary, it could provide valuable information concerning the chullpar heritage conservation programs. Three of this earthen buildings were examined using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared-Attenuated Total Reflection (FTIR-ATR), Laser Diffraction Grain Size Distribution, Polarized Light Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). The results describe the chullpar building material as a prepared admixture of plant fibers -Poaceae- and selected sedimentary components - clayey phyllosilicates and sand and silt sized grains, the latter dominated by quartz and feldspars, with smaller amounts of lithic fragments of sandstone, limestone, quartzite, altered metapelite, chert and quartz-schist, non-crystalline silica with vesicular texture and cryptocrystalline aggregates of limonite, leucoxene and phyllosilicates. The fabric reflects a mixing procedure by which superposed layers of plant fibers and composed, pre-treated inorganic substrates were 'kneaded'. The final product is a low porous 'suspension-like' blend, where the coarser elements are floating into a profuse phyllosilicate matrix. The whole attributes of this material combine to create a resistant structure and an efficient system able to control the saturation and circulation of water through the chullpar walls. This mechanism might contribute to mitigate the degradative effects of water flow and humidity and concomitantly help in the preservation of the monuments. However, contrasts in the composition and structure of the building material were observed across the samples. This promotes a differential efficiency of the porous system which results in variations in the type and magnitude of the effects of degradative processes for each chullpar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The arched stone masonry bridge near the town of Konitsa, over Aoos river (1869 A.D.), was damaged and repaired in 1913 by using concrete. The RC jacket at the intrados is in critical state, exhibiting advanced concrete disintegration and reinforcement corrosion, with minor damage in the original structure of the bridge. In order to provide an intervention scheme for the preservation of the monument and to check whether the reconstruction of the RC jacket needs to be part of the intervention scheme, an overall study of the bridge was undertaken. In this paper, the in-situ and in-lab documentation is presented. To this purpose, non-destructive techniques were applied, along with material sampling and laboratory testing, whereas photogrammetric survey and geotechnical investigation were performed. The collected data serve the purpose of documenting the bearing structure of the bridge and interpreting construction peculiarities revealed during in-situ work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Architectonics & Architecture / Építés - Építészettudomány is the property of Akademiai Kiado and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Aha! Miszellen zur Gartengeschichte und Gartendenkmalpflege is the property of TU Dresden, Institut für Landschaftsarchitektur and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista CPC is the property of Revista CPC and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Geopolitics can have a significant impact on historical monuments, by destroying them, protecting them, managing them, and promoting them internationally. During armed conflicts or geopolitical tensions, historical monuments can become targets of vandalism by tactical protest. This may be the result of a desire to erase the symbols of a certain culture or to discredit an enemy. On the other hand, geopolitics can also protect monuments, by recognizing them as world heritage by organizations such as UNESCO, which can contribute to their conservation and restoration. Some historical monuments need restoration and conservation work to keep them in good condition. Governments and international organizations may allocate financial resources to these projects, and the allocation of these funds may be influenced by geopolitical interests. For example, certain countries may wish to support restoration projects of monuments in allied countries or with which they have special relations in order to strengthen their influence or promote their image internationally. The present paper wishes to highlight the impact of armed conflicts on cultural heritage and the need to update general strategies of cultural identity and community resilience, accepted and adopted worldwide. This work was co-funded by the European Social Fund, through Operational Programme Human Capital 2014-2020, project number OCU/993/6/13/153322, project title” Educational and training support for Ph.D. students and young researchers in preparation for insertion into the labor market”. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research article is an effort to generate awareness about the architectural, cultural, and tourist value of the Mughal historic monuments which are categorized by distinctive building typology, construction techniques, and intricate details. Globally, cultural heritage is under grim threat due to natural hazards and human neglect. Selected case study, the tomb of Abdul Nabi (Kotli Maqbara) is a protected monument and, was being deteriorated due to the heavy floods. The objective of the research is to explore the project for the preservation and restoration of the monument. Desk-based research and case study methodology have been applied to document the heritage site and to assess the possible causes of decay. By the analysis of data collected by visual and pictorial surveys, it has been concluded that the monument with its surrounding area can be regenerated as a tourist site, ensuring a bright future for the neighbourhood communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study focuses on the sacral work of architect Klaudius Madlmayr (1881–1963), a graduate of the Vienna Academy under Friedrich Ohmann (1858–1927). Although Madlmayr began his professional career designing residential houses, and particularly state buildings (especially in Olomouc), from the second half of the 1930s he devoted himself almost exclusively to commissions for clients from the Catholic Church. In a simplified neoclassical architectural style he designed new church buildings in Brno-Židenice, Rozvadovice and Želeč, and in more than a dozen other churches he managed reconstruction work and designed a new layout, including a number of altars, mostly with retables. He collaborated with a number of conservative creative artists, among whom Julius Pelikán (1887–1969), Petr Pištělka (1887–1963) and the brothers Heřman Kotrba (1913–1989) and Karel Kotrba (1910–1973) stood out. He collaborated for a long time with the Brno Heritage Office, which consistently recommended his work and even discriminated in favour of it. The turning point came only with the arrival of a new generation of art historians who had reservations about his work. The aim of the study is to present not only Madlmayr’s sacral work, but also its perception by contemporaries and clients. It does not attempt to rehabilitate his work, assessed by art history as being rather below average and regressive, but to explain the circumstances under which it was created. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution can have a significant impact on stone materials used in monuments, buildings, and sculptures. Sulfur and nitrogen oxides are particularly harmful pollutants, especially in carbonate stones. These oxides, reacting with moisture in the air, result in the formation of acids able to erode the stone surface and gradually compromise its structural integrity. The acids can also combine with airborne particulate matter, heavy metals, and salts, leading to the development of black crusts. These not only have detrimental effects on the stone's integrity but also affect the original appearance of the surfaces, threatening the conservation of important monuments and buildings. This review discusses the characteristics of black crusts and their relation to the environment and stone materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultural heritage metallic artifacts are often subjected to environmental factors that promote degradation through corrosion processes. Anticorrosion protection is needed both for the long-term preservation of outdoor monuments and the short-term conservation of archaeological artifacts. In this work, functional nanocoatings based on ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) in a silica matrix are prepared as a replacement for a commercial Incralac lacquer. Facile sol–gel synthesis is employed for obtaining silica filmogenic materials, using tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and 3-glycidyloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (GPTMS). Silica-based nanocomposite coatings, with and without ZnO NPs and benzotriazole (BTA) as anticorrosion agents, applied on copper coupons by brushing are characterized by using VIS and FTIR spectroscopy, SEM and AFM and compared to Incralac lacquer as reference materials. The optical and morphological properties of the proposed silica coatings are similar to the Incralac specimens. The protective effect against corrosion is investigated on the copper coupons as model metallic objects subjected to a corrosion test by using potentiodynamic polarization in a 3.5% NaCl solution at ambient temperature. The influence of the presence of BTA and ZnO NPs in both silica and Incralac coatings is studied, and the variations in the anticorrosive, morphological and optical properties with the concentration of ZnO NPs are evidenced. The presence of moderate concentrations of ZnO in both nanomaterials leads to changes in the color parameters slightly above the limit accepted in the field of cultural heritage (ΔE* 5.09 and 6.13), while a high ZnO concentration of 3% leads to higher values (ΔE* > 10). Regarding the anticorrosive effect, the silica-based coatings with ZnO and BTA present similar efficiencies to that of the Incralac reference material (corrosion rates in the range of 0.044–0.067 mm/year for silica coatings compared to 0.055 mm/year for Incralac). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Stonebreakers" is a documentary film that explores America's historical commemorative landscape and the controversies surrounding monuments. The film presents different perspectives on the issue, including those who advocate for a more inclusive and accurate representation of history and those who defend a more exclusionary view. It highlights the tensions and divisions that arise from debates over monument removal and preservation, as well as the racist vitriol that can emerge. The film also examines the ongoing discussions surrounding Mount Rushmore and its colonialist symbolism. Overall, "Stonebreakers" offers a nuanced exploration of the complexities and evolving narratives surrounding controversial monuments in the United States. [Extracted from the article]

This essay retraces the history of the Palazzo della Ragione in Ferrara, a key public building with medieval origins which was rebuilt during the postwar years according to a project by Marcello Piacentini. The research will specifically focus on the aesthetic and political debates generated by the building and on the pivotal role played by Piacentini, thanks to the extensive body of documents collected at the Biblioteca di Scienze Tecnologiche of the University of Florence and at the City Archives of Ferrara. By following the steps which led to the final design and the construction, the essay highlights the role of the building in larger debates concerning the restoration of historical monuments after the destruction caused by the Second World War and the contribution of architecture in the definition of a national identity after the divisions caused by the fall of the fascist regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]