Search

Decorating Iran's historical monuments often involves painting on wood, an area relatively underexplored in research. Examining the color palette utilized by artists in these works can offer valuable insights into the era's commercial, cultural, and economic milieu, while also aiding in identifying deterioration processes and proposing conservation strategies. This study seeks to determine the pigments employed in the paintings on wooden panels of the Shahsavaran House, a structure dating back to the Qajar period in Isfahan city. Utilizing micro-Raman spectroscopy and micro-XRF spectroscopy, the pigment composition of white, green, blue, yellow, and red hues was analyzed. The findings revealed a preliminary layer of white lead applied to the wood surface, followed by the painting execution. Examination of the pigments unveiled the presence of white lead, red lead, chrome yellow, and ultramarine blue. Notably, the green pigment was identified as conichalcite, a pigment not commonly utilized, likely arising from the degradation of emerald green. Furthermore, the presence of massicot alongside white lead in white areas suggests the degradation of white lead in an outdoor environment. The identified pigments in this artwork include lead white, lead red, and ultramarine blue, which are traditional and commonly used pigments in Iranian art-historical works. However, through the identification of chrome yellow and the potential use of emerald green, it is estimated that the paintings can be dated from the mid-19th to the mid-20th century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microorganisms are one of the most critical factors involved in the degradation of buildings. Fungi that develop in historic spaces not only cause the degradation of monuments (immovable and movable) but can also negatively affect those who visit or use such spaces. This article is a case study of the 16th-century St. Catherine Church in Cięcina (Poland), whose walls became severely damp as a result of changes made to the church's surroundings (relocation of the riverbed of the Cięcinka River, raising the level of St. Catherine Street and building a wooden fence on a concrete foundation around the church). The effect of the severe dampness of the building was the intensive development of Serpula lacrymans fungus and mold. This article highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to hazard diagnosis in historic buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is devoted to the problem of systematization of forensic knowledge. It is noted that in modem conditions it is solved by creating two relatively separate theories - the doctrine of the subject and the doctrine of the forensic system. The thesis about the key role in the construction of the forensics system of a clear definition of its subject and its structure is substantiated. The subject of criminology is a system-forming factor for the content of this science. This necessitates the unification of this problem within the framework of a single forensic science. The significance of the use of the historical research method for the formation of such a teaching is emphasized. From this point of view, the historical monument of the late 19th and early 20th centuries is analyzed - the scientific work of Hans Gross «Manual for judicial investigative judges as a system of criminology». It is emphasized that this book had many editions in different years and gained extreme popularity among investigators, prosecutors, and judges of different countries of the world. It should be noted that this scientific work actually laid the foundation of criminology, on which this science developed in the following years. This development took place in both practical and theoretical aspects. Taking this into account, it is argued that Hans Gross's views on the subject and system of forensics have not lost their significance in modem times. It is noted that their analysis allows modem researchers to orient themselves in a number of problematic issues of the development of criminology, to evaluate modem ideas about ways to solve them. In particular, two ideas of the outstanding scientist are noted: 1) criminology has as its subject the study of two types of activity - criminal activity and the activity of the investigator, which is reflected in the knowledge system of this science; 2) the system of criminology should consist of general and special parts based on the example of criminal law, the practical implementation of whose provisions in the judiciary is carried out precisely through criminology. It is claimed that these ideas are well-founded and productive and deserve their further development taking into account modem scientific processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a novel interpretation of the famous hedonistic monument of Sardanapalus, as depicted by numerous Greek and Roman authors, particularly within historiography related to Alexander. The argument unfolds in two steps. First, the Greek tradition regarding Sardanapalus and the inscription is discussed in detail, and then the description of foreign monuments in Greek travelogue texts and their relation to ancient Near Eastern texts will be analysed. It is argued that the image of the hedonistic king Sardanapalus was inspired by one of Ashurbanipal's inscriptions, rather than being solely attributed to an inner-Greek discussion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dome of the Rock, the first monumental example of Islamic architecture with a rich history, is of great importance in terms of its architectural elegance as well as revealing the artistic and technical competence of early Islamic society. Built by the Umayyad Caliph Abdulmalik ibn Marwan in the 7th century, the structure stands out as a religious and cultural symbol with its profound messages. The reasons for the construction of the Dome of the Rock have been variously interpreted as enabling Muslims to recognise the Masjid al-Aqsa as their holy centre, or as an Islamic symbol to rival the Byzantine monuments of the time. The article emphasizes that the purpose of the construction of the Dome of the Rock was shaped by religious and political motives, and that it expressed the power of Islam with its Byzantine mosaics and verse decorations. It is also said that the use of the octagonal plan and dome, typical of Christian martyrdoms in the region, in the design of the building is an innovative example of Islamic architecture. The Dome of the Rock was restored by various rulers from the time of its construction until the Ottoman period, converted into a church by the Crusaders and then restored to its Islamic identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Used to mark devotion to the main propagators of Jainism, namely the Jina (arhat), the Liberated Souls (siddha), the Teachers (ācārya), the spiritual Guides (guru), the Preceptors (upādhyāya), and the monks (muṇi), the formula of homage to the five supreme entities (pañcanamaskāra) underwent a significant development in the medieval period where it became a mantra protecting against all evils and violence and symbolising Jainism in its entirety and its respect for life in all its forms amidst the various Indian religions. In the present paper, I intend to investigate how the formula was used in largely unknown romance poems composed in the Prakrit language by Jaina scholar monks in medieval North India between the 8th and 12th centuries. Particular attention will be paid to how the writer monks used the formula of homage in the narrative to avoid the use of violence. The analysis will also focus on the development of the formula in the hymns of praise of the romance poems and study its significance in the context of the spread of Jainism at the turn of the first millennium, a period that led to the advent of King Kumārapāla, who has remained famous in history not only for the imposing monuments he left behind, but also for his conversion to Jainism and his governance according to principles of non-violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interior of Orthodox churches is entirely decorated with paintings, icons, and frescoes, to help create a special environment for the prayers and visitors. The paintings have religious, esthetic, and historical value, being created in the Byzantine tradition and following recommendations on style and materials according to old church canons. Particular importance is attributed to the Iconostasis decorated with icons on several registers, as well as to polychrome wooden ornaments and imperial doors. This work presents the scientific investigation results of three royal icons, theoretically dating to the 19th century, from the Iconostasis of the Runcu church, an important 19th-century Romanian historical monument, aiming to answer questions regarding their age and constituent materials, especially what were the mineral pigments used in the color palettes for their painting and if there were any old repainting interventions, in order to assist their restoration and conservation. Methods of characterization employed were optical microscopy, SEM-EDX spectrometry, ATR/FTIR spectroscopy, and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Results obtained allowed us to date, attribute, and evaluate the conservation state of the Royal icons; to our knowledge, this study is among the very few research studies carried out so far on the religious heritage conservation field in Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the intersection of memory and feminist studies, this article examines the issue of suffrage and feminist monumental commemoration in the United States. Starting from the deficit of statues representing female historical figures in the public space, it analyzes the conception and reception of two important monuments honoring women's suffrage (Portrait Monument 1921 and the Women's Rights Pioneers Monument 2020). While those monuments have somewhat broken the "bronze ceiling", they testify to the mechanics of exclusion and inclusion at work both in the construction of history and memory. Then, the article takes on a broader perspective, questioning the extent to which traditional monuments, as products of a patriarchal culture and memory, can properly commemorate modern feminism. The essay identifies two trends, one consisting of transforming the bronze through various strategies, the other of "breaking the bronze" by replacing it with other materials and proposing new memory frameworks belonging to what James E. Young has labeled countermonuments. Still, the article ultimately questions the limits of the monument itself and points to the notion of interactive spaces as perhaps the most adequate sites of memory for the complex, multifaceted, contested, and contemporary movement that feminism(s) stand(s) for. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During his royal progress in the summer of 1620, King James I stopped in Wiltshire. In his party were the architect Inigo Jones and a royal physician, William Harvey. The king sent Jones and Harvey to Stonehenge, which was nearby, to make drawings and measurements of the mysterious monument. In addition, Harvey was to perform excavations. This visit, described by Jones in his posthumous book The Most Notable Antiquity of Great Britain, vulgarly called Stone-Heng on Salisbury Plain, Restored (1655), raises many questions, particularly about Harvey's role in this expedition. The answers to these questions involve Harvey's underexamined role as a courtier, the place of antiquarianism in the establishment of royal legitimacy and national identity, and debates in early modern Europe surrounding fossil bones and ancient monuments. There is a good chance that Harvey was looking for the fossil bones of giant ancestors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the Sumpul River massacre that occurred in El Salvador in 1980, where at least 300 noncombatant civilians were killed by Salvadoran forces. Survivors and victims' families continue to commemorate the event, demanding justice, truth, and moral reparations from the Salvadoran state. Efforts to construct a memorial park at the massacre site are underway, serving as a space for remembrance and advocacy for justice. The article highlights the importance of historical memory in addressing past atrocities and building a more just and equitable future. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Journal of Faculty of Letters / Edebiyat Fakultesi Dergisi is the property of Hacettepe University Faculty of Letters 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.)

The restoration of monuments is of great interest, leading to more architecturally significant designs. Many promising approaches to building design foster a symbiosis of the old and the new. The paper examines the compromises between the structural and physical properties of a historic building intended for renovation, which has already undergone several renovations. Due to the limited optimization possibilities at specific levels of the renovation project, diagnostics were used during the examination of proposals. Part of the diagnostics involves measuring thermal conditions, as well as temperatures on the internal and external surfaces of the building envelopes. The study demonstrates how the properties of the outer shell affect thermal insulation and suggests methods for architects, planners and preservationists to preserve the structural forms of the facade. The goal was to show that, despite the absence of a new thermal insulation layer on the outside of the building, the standard requirements are not violated. On the inner surface of the envelope walls, the temperature does not drop below the critical value for mould growth. Additionally, there are examples of modifications to the original details and their shape after the restoration of this building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Universum is the property of Instituto de Estudios Humanisticos Juan Ignacio Molina, Universidad de Talca 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.)

This article, titled Re-writing His-Story: Exploring the censorship of History through school textbooks and public artefacts, explores how ideological and political differences of those in power can censor history, affecting how future generations engage with the past. As new regimes ascend, they promote a distinctive cultural narrative that could alter or omit longstanding historical narratives. Textbooks and historic monuments are cultural artefacts created at a specific time, in a space, and a particular context. In South Africa, for example (as in many other countries), historic monuments and public statues have been (re)moved, and selectively replaced by alternative heroes. Likewise, post-apartheid textbooks have been rewritten to include cultural diversity. Our principal concern is the restricted access to key symbols of the past as future generations lose crucial historical facts and a sense of identity as different histories are propagated. Located in the interpretive paradigm, the study utilises a desktop review incorporating critical discourse analysis to understand how meaning is conveyed about textbooks and public artefacts in print media and online platforms. Using a wide range of case studies as its empirical base, the findings indicate that textbook content is censored due to the influence of socio-political, cultural, and religious reasons. Similarly, monuments, statues, and other public artefacts perceived as outdated or representing controversial histories are often targeted for removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gazergah stands as one of the most magnificent historical monuments in Herat, situated in the northern part of the city. This remarkable site is a testament to the rich Islamic culture and civilization that has flourished in the region. Notably, it is the birthplace of renowned scholars, including Khwaja Abdullah Ansari Heravi, a prominent figure in the realms of religious and mystical education. The primary aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive description of the Gazergah monument, delve into its intricate decorations, and present an overview of the mystical personality of Khwaja Abdullah Ansari. Additionally, the article seeks to enhance understanding and analysis of the decorative arts--specifically illumination--found on the tomb of Khwaja Abdullah Ansari Heravi. This research employs objective observations to assess the aesthetic qualities and authenticity of the illumination art present at this significant site. By examining the artistic elements and their historical context, the study aims to illuminate the cultural importance of Gazergah and the enduring legacy of its artistic heritage, ultimately contributing to the broader discourse on Islamic art and architecture in Herat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Clay is one of the main earth materials used in architectural works from the past, with Iran considered as having one of the oldest histories of using earth materials based on climatic criteria. Over time, the use of these materials fell into neglect despite the county's hot, arid climate and clay being a cheap, recyclable and highly accessible material. The importance of knowing these materials and analysing them during history is, therefore,particularly high. In addition, the sustainability and durability of some historic mud-brick buildings make it necessary to analyse and examine their materials in order to take advantage of the valuable experiences of the past and reveal their underlying techniques. Using clay and providing new solutions, therefore, is arguably pointless without examining and analysing the past. This is why we need to examine characteristic features of their construction in different historical periods to devise new solutions for their strengthening. With the aim of knowing the quantitative and geometric aspects of clay used in Iran's historical buildings, this research has investigated these materials in historical buildings from different periods in Kashan, a rich example of the country's historical textures. This study concernstheir appearance, chemical compounds, physical characteristics and techniques used in them, through library and field studies and various experiments and analyses of them. The results of the research can help us better know the materials and structurally analyse buildingsin order to identify and strengthen clay structures. Methods: The research method is quantitative and based on field studies and laboratory experiments. The tests are divided into three categories. The first, basic tests, include density, specific gravity, moisture content, granulation and hydrometry and Atterberg limits. The second category includes compressive and bending strength, and the third category is the chemical analysis by XRD method. These tests were performed based on ASTM as well as the National Standards of Iran (ISIRI). Four clay samples were tested from Kashan historical buildings ranging from the Neolithic to the Qajar periods. The samples werenamed with the letter C (standing for'clay') and numbered in the order of old to new. Results & Conclusion: According to the tests conducted, one of the physical characteristics that are effective in the strength and quality of the samples is the specific weight or density. In this test, sample C3 had the highest specific weight and sample C2 also had a high specific weight. Moisture content is the amount of moisture in the sample and the lower it is, the better it is for the sample. This is because water absorption in wetter seasons causes contraction and expansion and eventually cracks. According to the obtained results, sample C2 had the lowest and sample C3 had the highest percentage of moisture. According to the location of sample C3, originated from the Seljuk fence, with a green space and a fountain currently in its vicinity, more moisture has been absorbed by the sample. In the granulation and hydrometric test, all the samples had suitable and non-uniform soil and the amount of sand in C3 and C2 samples was more than other samples. In sample C1, the percentage of gravel was much higher than other samples and due to a lot of gravel in the clay, it can be said that the grading of this sample was more inappropriate than other samples. Also, in the Atterberg test, sample C1 had inorganic clay with medium pasting properties, and samples C2 and C3 had inorganic clay with low pasting properties. While the C4 sample had inorganic silt with low compressibility, it is better to use clay to prepare clay, because it has more adhesion and the soil grains are better placed next to each other. Therefore, the soil in C4 was not found particularly suitable for making clay. The results of compressive and bending strength tests on clay samples are relatively similar. Sample C3 had the highest compressive and bending strength, followed by sample C2. The lowest amount of mechanical resistance was for sample C1. The mechanical resistance of sample C4 was also low and the reason for this was the use of recycled materials and poorquality soil. Considering this issue, it can be said that soil has a direct effect on the physical and mechanical characteristics of the clay. In fact, in samples C3 and C2, the distribution of grain size was more suitable and the percentage of sand was higher, and this issue had created a uniform and dense texture between the grains and a stronger connection between them. Samples C1 and C4 also had non-extensive granulation, and this had prevented the creation of a uniform texture and less compressibility of the clay mass. In other words, the grain size and type of soil had a direct effect on the structure and strength of clay made from it. In addition, the specific weight and moisture contentwere also related to the mechanical structure of clay. According to the examination of clay samples, in general, it can be said that with the increase in specific weight and decrease in moisture content, the mechanical properties of clay, including compressive strength and bending strength, increase. In addition, based on the results of chemical tests, there are quartz, calcite and albite phases in all samples, and the higher the albite content in the samples, the higher the mechanical resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The colonization of historical buildings and monuments by fungi, algae, and bacteria is a common phenomenon. This often leads to deterioration processes that cause either visual or structural harm. The Batalha Monastery in Portugal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, currently shows significant surface changes to the stone architectural elements within both the Founder's Chapel and the church, including a widespread pink discoloration on the walls and columns. The main goal of this study was to analyze the biological colonization and assess the influence of bacterial communities on the biodeterioration of Ançã limestone, providing valuable insights to help conservators and restorers select the best preservation strategies for the monastery. The prokaryote population was characterized using both high-throughput DNA sequencing and culture-dependent methods and several orange-pink pigment-producing bacteria were identified, for example, Bacillus, Gordonia, Serratia and Methylobacterium, as well as Halalkalicoccus, an abundant archaeal genus. The pink discoloration observed could be due to biofilms created by bacteria that produce pigments, namely carotenoids. Biocolonization tests were performed using stone mock-ups, which were prepared and inoculated with the bacteria isolated in this study. These tests were designed to replicate the natural conditions of the monastery and monitor the colonization process to understand the discoloration phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The American Civil War has been commemorated with a great variety of monuments, memorials, and markers. These monuments were erected for a variety of reasons, beginning with memorialization of the fallen and later to honor aging veterans, commemoration of significant anniversaries associated with the conflict, memorialization of sites of conflict, and celebration of the actions of military leaders. Sources reveal that during both the Jim Crow and Civil Rights eras, many monuments were erected as part of an organized propaganda campaign to terrorize African American communities and distort the past by promoting a "Lost Cause" narrative. Through subsequent decades, to this day, complex and emotional narratives have surrounded interpretive legacies of the Civil War. Instruments of commemoration, through both physical and digital intervention approaches, can be provocative and instructive, as the country deals with a slavery legacy and the commemorated objects and spaces surrounding Confederate inheritances. Today, all of these potential factors and outcomes, with internationally relevance, are surrounded by swirls of social and political contention and controversy, including the remembering/forgetting dichotomies of cultural heritage. In this article, drawing from the testimony of scholars and artists, I address the conceptual landscape of approaches to the presentation and evolving participatory narratives of Confederate monuments that range from absolute expungement and removal to more restrained ideas such as in situ re-contextualization, removal to museums, and preservation-in-place. I stress not so much the academic debate but how the American public is informed about and reacts to the various issues related to Confederate memorialization. My main point, where my premise stands out in the literature, is that, for the sake of posterity, and our ability to connect and engage with a tangible in situ artifact, not all Confederate statues should be taken down. Some of them, or remnants of them, should be preserved as sites of conscience and reflection, with their social and political meanings ongoing and yet to be determined in the future. The modern dilemma turns on the question: In today's new era of social justice, are these monuments primarily symbols of oppression, or can we see them, in select cases, alternatively as sites of conscience and reflection encompassing more inclusive conversations about commemoration? What we conserve and assign as the ultimate public value of these monuments rests with how we answer this question. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Humanity Monument, a gigantic monument in Kars, a northeastern border city of Turkey, was intended to be visible from the Armenian side of the border and supposed to send messages of peace, apology, and reconciliation, implicitly alluding to the Armenian genocide of 1915. It depicted two halves of a human, or two humans, looking at each other in the eye. However, the then prime minister Erdoğan called it a "monster" in a public speech, leading to the monument's demolition. He then suggested that his comments were just aesthetic judgments free of political convictions, echoing the familiar paradigm of "aestheticizing politics": covering over or obscuring a political motive ("the ideological") through the aesthetic. Although a useful understanding, this reduces both aesthetics and politics to ideology and establishes a binary between the sober critic and the a(n)esthetized masses. Instead, drawing upon Rancière's notion of the aesthetic as what disturbs "the distribution of the sensible," that is, the partition of roles, territories, parts, and visibilities, this essay reads the story of the monument as a disturbance of the national distribution of the sensible, pointing to the ways it embodies and reveals the monstrosity of the modern state founded upon the event of genocide and further complicates the distinctions between critic and masses, self and other, and gaze and object that the aesthetic ordering of the nation-state relies on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The way monuments hold sway seem stable and predictable, yet their 'meanings' migrate and their traditionally accepted roles shift. In South Africa there are monuments that commemorate achievements once considered laudable, that have become symbols of oppressive systems. The challenge facing the current generation is to make sense of these monuments in a way that will dignify the lived situation of all stakeholders. One such contested monument is the statue of President M.T. Steyn that used to stand in front of the Main Building of the University of the Free State. The statue divided the campus community. It provoked some students to violent unrest, while others saw it as an important heritage marker. How could the seemingly irreconcilable conflict between these stakeholders be resolved while adhering to heritage laws and without alienating a significant portion of the student body? The complex process that followed relied on creative leaps to provoke public participation and stimulate new forms of appreciation amid shifting regions of concern. One important facet of this process was the construction of a reflective triangular prism installation which provoked new visual, experiential and spatial relationships with the monument, including the visual removal of the statue from the 'axis of power', the celebration of oblique views, and opportunities to face the statue in a distorted mirror. This article will critically reflect on the poetic process of strange-making that was followed in the relocation of the President M.T. Steyn statue in order to illustrate how traditional conflict resolution strategies can be reinterpreted in terms of German philosopher, Martin Heidegger's notion of inceptual thinking. The resulting approach opens new possibilities for creatively rescripting contested monuments; a way of thinking which engages the inceptual regionings impacting the way people live as beings of emplaced care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In connection with the wave of dismantling monuments in America and the magnetism of the figure of Christopher Columbus for the questioning of colonial memory, this text offers a reflection based on key notions of the debate such as heritage, memory, iconoclasm, archive and repertoire. It also questions the influence of our contemporary digital reality on the phenomenon of historical contestation. Given that the materiality of the monument offers different layers of temporality, I argue the possibility of turning the pedestal into a stage for intervention as an optimal strategy for the activation of critical memory, far from reverence or violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research of Uaxactun monuments (Peten, Guatemala) in 2000s made it possible to reconstruct the dynastic history of this Classic Maya political center (300-900). The study of inscriptions is complicated by the poor preservation of stone monuments, therefore, digital methods currently help in the analysis of monuments (photogrammetry, 3D modeling). This allowed us to determine also the royal title of the local dynasty and the main stages of its evolution. The analysis of the inscriptions identified about 20 examples of Uaxactun Emblem Glyph (a marker of the independent Maya polity) and related toponyms. It can be concluded that in the Early Classic after 300 AD Uaxactun lords used the traditional Emblem Glyph “king of Kʹanwitz”, which toponym Kʹanwitz (“Flat hill”) possibly was associated with the Group A of the site - the early ceremonial center located on a top of the high hill. Then, after 378, the usual Emblem Glyph disappears from inscriptions, what was caused by the Uaxactun subordination to the Teotihuacan power. Then until the early 6th cent. the dynasty began to be associated with another toponym Kʹan…kok (complete reading is unclear), which meant the neighboring architectural complex - Group B. After the Uaxactun hiatus period in the 6th-7th cent. the dynasty was revived again around 700 and its kings used the new title “king of Kʹan…kok”, adding the royal title ʹajaw to the Early Classic toponym. Finally at the last stage of the city’s history after 800, during the collapse of the Classic Maya political system, the kings of Uaxactun added the title kʹuhul (“sacred”) to their Emblem Glyph, equating themselves with the most authoritative dynasties of the Classic epoch.

The quality of the internal microclimate is a very important issue nowadays, considering that people in developed societies spend a good part of their day inside buildings and means of transport. But the poor quality of indoor air has a double effect; on the one hand, it can harm human health, and on the other hand, it can cause the degradation of materials. Thus, the current study considers the potential influence of a number of 20 pollutants on the exhibits, visitors, and employees of a synagogue that is over 140 years old in the Municipality of Oradea (Romania), which today is included in the list of historical monuments and is open to be visited. The monitoring period consisted of 9 months, during which parameters such as temperature, relative humidity, CO concentration, light intensity, concentration of particulate matter, and other pollutants were monitored. All the obtained values were then reported to the international standards in force for each indicator, both regarding the potential for human health and the integrity of the exhibits. The results indicate that the values of most pollutants respect the allowed thresholds, with more or less permitted exceptions. The most problematic are the values of temperature, relative humidity, HCHO, and VOC, which substantially exceed the allowed limits and vary a considerable difference. This can induce additional stress on the exhibits, leading over time to damage and premature aging; in terms of human health, the indoor microclimate can, in rare cases, cause discomfort associated with headaches, dizziness, and irritation, but the potential to cause persistent ailments is quite low. To maintain a clean internal microclimate, preventive conservation through the continuous monitoring of internal parameters as well as the establishment of long‐term strategies to stabilize the values of pollutants are necessary actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Galinha dinosaur tracksite (Portugal) was declared a Natural Monument in 1996 and is currently designated as Ourém/Torres Novas Dinosaur Footprints Natural Monument. This tracksite yields a completely new and unique morphology of sauropod tracks from the Middle Jurassic (Bajocian–Bathonian). This new morphotype was named Polyonyx by Santos et al. (2009). However, recently it has been brought to our attention that this ichnotaxon name “Polyonyx” is preoccupied by the porcellanid decapod Polyonyx Stimpson, 1858 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura: Porcellanidae). The priority is given to the latter and to avoid homonymy, the former is issued the new replacement name Galinhapodus igen. nov., creating the new replacement combination name Galinhapodus gomesi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are only a few works you can find in Piranesi's Etching that are not related to the "past". In his work, "ruin" is the most frequent theme. This article targets the ways ruin is depicted in Piranesi's work. Thus, by considering Piranesi's prime and typical works and moving through his varying embodiments of ruin, this article will explain the different aspects of these representations and describes, the visuals of the way ruin is shown in his works. Based on Kant's theory of aesthetics in "The Critique of Judgment" and describing the concept of "sublimity" within that theoretical framework, it's been attempted to provide the ground for answering "why" this type of representation reflects sublimity. The descriptive-analytical findings from this research indicate that fragmentality is the main feature in showing "the past" in Piranesi's work. Some of his works have archaeological approach, and by them, Piranesi tries to give us an "image" from the past. The dominance of the visual aspect and the frequency of the designs and their expansive range, from fireplace details to monuments and urban design, show that, in Piranesi's view, these pictures are beside each other in a sequence to build a complete picture of "the past". Although "phrases" come in to help the visual with accuracy and detail in some of these pictures, the fragmented quality of the contents of these depictions and the distance between the different types of them are not explained, as if this past would always represent itself as "lost". The recurring theme of "ruin" is also confirming of such an approach. Shape-wise, the most prominent manifestation of Piranesi's "ruins" is their enormous dimensions. Such depictions of memorials are recounting of the "mathematically sublime" in Kant's aesthetic system. As if in the face of "the sublimity" of these ruins, imagination fails to comprehend the mounting perceptual apprehensions. Also, ruins, in different ways, bespeak the power of the passing of time as a natural force. The sign of decadence on these ruins, in the forms of distortion of segments and growth of moss and greens, on another level, can intrigue experiencing sublimity in the audience. This experience is reminding of the "dynamically sublime" in Kant's aesthetics, where the subject feels fear when confronted by the power of nature. This fear, existing in Piranesi's memorial, can be especially observed in Piranesi's prison series. Prisons have nested spaces that evoke the impossibility of escaping such powers. In addition, by reviewing the content of the pictures and Piranesi's text, it is apparent that this failure to comprehend is caused by facing the sublimity of the Roman Empire. Piranesi, in his different works, has attempted to depict this lost glory through pictures and words. However, this civilization and its example in Rome are so "sublime" in his view that they are depicted as a "fragmented" matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Babylon Center for Humanities Studies is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) 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.)

This paper presents an original research procedure developed for a project that focuses on the restoration of the Gołaszewski Manor and Garden Complex in Wrocanka. The introductory section outlines the objectives, scope and methods of the tests and sub-procedures that make up the procedure in question, and then presents the results of the investigation, broken down into individual stages. The conclusion emphasises the role of the investigation in the properly conducted process of restoring the historic complex, which is subject to statutory conservation as a result of being listed in the register of monuments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The historical monuments of the National Preserve "Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra" play an important role in the context of preserving the UNESCO World Heritage. The scientific understanding of the buildings and structures safety management the priority of conducting repair and restoration works, the organization of their technical condition monitoring, and changes in the components of the geological environment in their locations is crucial. The purpose of this study is to identify potentially hazardous areas on the territory of the Lavra for the operation of structures by conducting a point-based integral assessment of the stability potential of the natural and technogenic system with the integration of geospatial methods and to rank the structures using the analytical hierarchy process. According to the modeling results by 17 stability factors and using ArcGIS, 37% (8.7 ha) of the Lavra territory is located in the zone of moderate hazard, 23% (5.4 ha) in the zone of potential hazard, where the manifestation and conditions of more than five dangerous engineering and geological processes intersect, and 40% (9.4 ha) in the zone of relative safety. In each zone, 10 representative structures were selected for ranking according to the stability of natural and technogenic operating conditions and their current technical condition, which is determined by nine criteria. The analysis using two methods identified the areas most at risk from seasonal fluctuations and possible military impacts and allowed us to scientifically substantiate the priority of repair and restoration work and the possibility of properly planning management measures for the selected structures, as well as to offer recommendations for improving the monitoring of the geological environment of the Lavra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sacred monuments are an important part of the landscape of the Lubuskie region. Kożuchów, a small town some 30 km from the provincial capital Zielona Góra, is a town with a long and rich history, whose area is full of buildings in need of care. One of the important elements in its landscape is the museum of gravestone sculpture - the Lapidarium. The sepulchral lapidarium in Kozuchow is one of the best-preserved sets of tomb sculpture in Poland. It was established in the 1970s on the site of a former Protestant cemetery, for the establishment of which the Evangelical community received permission in 1634. Restoration work is in progress to preserve and protect this regionally and nationally significant sacred monument. In this article, the authors present the renovation processes underway since 2018 and the stages planned for the coming years. The purpose of this article as to point out the remarkable regional importance of a unique example of a sacred monument, which is the Lapidarium in Kozuchow. The uniqueness of the gravestone sculptures with epitaphs contained therein, their exceptional level of craftsmanship and state of preservation predispose the Lapidarium to be saved from destruction and made available to the public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceramic brick masonry elements constitute the largest number of structural systems of historic buildings, especially sacral and public utility buildings. In the past, they were also very commonly used as a material for the construction of military facilities. Historic buildings and masonry structures undergo destructive processes over time, the course of which can be very diverse and depends, among other things, on the physicochemical properties of the materials, the type of structure, the age of the building, working conditions and random conditions and events. The paper is an engineering review of the causes of damage to masonry structures and indicates the need for cooperation between representatives of various specialties of science and technology, in particular architectural historians, specialists in the field of conservation of monuments, structural engineers and specialists in the field of geotechnics, geology, hydrogeologists and meliorators in order to ensure the protection of masonry structures in historic buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The monument, or the memorial, as a place of memory and emotional support, has been the focus of scholarly attention. Although existing studies have explored its space's materialization, identity, history, and memory content, the materials about its design transformation have yet to be deeply excavated. Based on the relevant theories of place and place-making, the researchers constructed a knowledge system of the place-making model, the spatial vector pattern, and the worship behaviors of monuments. On this basis, a qualitative research methodology is adopted. Through case studies and participant observation, the design transformation of the monument/memorial is interpreted in the following five dimensions: function theme, morphology style, spatial relationship, visitor experience, and symbolic meaning. The results of this study show that the monument/memorial tends to promote in-depth public reflection and critical engagement with history, reflecting changes in how society perceives historical events. This research provides new perspectives for understanding the multidimensionality of the monument/memorial but also emphasizes the need to continue exploring its interaction with the socio-cultural context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "Preclassic sculpted monuments of western Soconusco, Chiapas, Mexico. The representations of obese individuals" highlights the archaeological importance of the Soconusco region in Chiapas, Mexico, and its cultural diversity. Professor Carlos Navarrete analyzes preclassic sculptures associated with sites such as Tiltepec and Tzutzuculi, showing the cultural integration of the region. The presence of sculptures of obese individuals and other symbolic representations that reflect the cultural richness of the area is emphasized. [Extracted from the article]

The article "Discovery of the carved rock of Cobá, Quintana Roo. A monument from the Early Classic period" published in the journal "Estudios de Cultura Maya" in the fall-winter of 2024, describes the discovery of a hieroglyphic inscription at the archaeological site of Cobá, associated with a water reservoir in the Nohoch Mul Group. The inscription contains information about dates, events, anthroponyms, and deities, revealing historical and mythological details of the settlement. The text mentions the foundation of Kehwitznal in the year 569 AD and refers to gods such as Baluun Tz’akbu Ajaw, Chaak, and K’awiil. Conservation and epigraphic analysis work continue to obtain more data on this important archaeological find. [Extracted from the article]

Summary: Partnerships between Indigenous People and governments for joint management of ancestral lands, designated as protected conservation areas for biodiversity and cultural heritage, provide an opportunity to leverage accumulated traditional land management knowledge with emerging science. In Australia, veteran or large old trees in natural landscapes are of significant ecological importance, and among the Indigenous communities, they are living monuments to historical cultural practices, but their survival, endurance and long lives are rarely acknowledged to afford them protection. In sub‐tropical Australia, the lack of consistent annual growth rings in stem wood makes it difficult to estimate the age of large trees using methods such as the periodic diameter increment. Ngugi et al., 2020 published radiocarbon (14C) dates using wood core ('pith‐wood') samples from 12 Indigenous culturally‐significant trees covering five species on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island). Due to the imprecise calendar age results of the single samples used in the original study (Ngugi et al., 2020), subsequent radiocarbon dating of an additional three wood core samples from each tree was undertaken to age the trees more precisely. The revised tree ages ranged from 63 to 531 years and suggest an important role of past Indigenous land management practices into protecting Bugari (Cypress Pine, Callitris columellaris F. Muell.) from deadly crown scorching fires. These results underscore the importance of incorporating Indigenous practices in current fire management strategies and plans. Estimating tree ages based on the periodic diameter increment method overestimated the age relative to that derived from radiocarbon dating. New bias correction factors were developed for adjusting the recorded periodic tree diameter increments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: History is made up of thousands of time intervals, which speak of events, social relations, events, as well as transformations and changes, according to the before and after. Touring the cities, seeing the transformations they have undergone, through an appropriate methodology, helps us to investigate that past that brings us closer to the present. Through its study and research, the modifications that have taken place, and the heritage elements that have been preserved, it is possible to know our own history. Method: An active, participatory and cooperative work methodology has been used, outside the classroom, through visits to different museums, monuments and routes, which have become direct sources to learn about the history of the places we have visited. Results: In this practical experience, third-year students of the subject of Knowledge of the Environment of the Faculty of Education Sciences of the University of Granada have participated, showing a high degree of satisfaction with the methodology used. Conclusions: The realization of educational practices outside the classroom, in which active work methodologies are used, with the use of material sources and direct visits to heritage elements of our cities to learn about their history in any historical period constitute a motivating educational element for students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction of religious structures, such as the candi at the Kampung Baru Archaeological Site, was guided by ancient Sanskrit treatises such as the Manasara and Mayamata. The discovery of an ancient structure at the excavation site of Kampung Baru Kota Kuala Muda, Kedah, has opened up new opportunities for research into the monuments of Ancient Kedah. The brick structure, known as Candi Kampung Baru, bears traces of wall carvings that are remarkably well-preserved. The present study analyses whether the Candi Kampung Baru was built in accordance with these treatises. This study employed archaeological excavations, literature reviews, visual analyses, and digital reconstruction techniques. The findings indicate that the ancient Sanskrit treatises had some influence on the construction of the candi, particularly in the selection of the site and soil. However, in other aspects, local elements were incorporated, resulting in a fusion of foreign and local elements, as the builders had their own interpretation of the treatises. The presence of local elements in this temple serves as evidence that the community in Ancient Kedah did not wholly embrace foreign influences, particularly those from India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Built heritage materials assessment is an important task for planning and managing future conservation works. The uniqueness of each historical building makes reconnaissance operations more complex and specific for every single building. In the past, visual inspection and invasive techniques were widely used to investigate surface materials. Non-destructive techniques (NDTs) such as multi-band photogrammetry and remote sensing can help to assess the buildings without any contact with the investigated objects, restricting the disruptive tests on limited areas and reducing the testing time and costs of the surveys. This paper presents the results obtained using multi-band images acquired with a low-cost imaging solution after interchanging several filters, and the application of the principal components analysis (PCA) to recognize different materials of a significant historical monument. The Serranos Towers, built between 1392 and 1398, suffered several interventions in the past that affected their state of conservation with the replacement of different materials. The results of the study show the usefulness of applying PCA to distinguish different surface materials, often similar to the original ones, in a fast and efficient way to investigate and analyze our heritage legacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pigeon house or pigeon tower, as the name implies, is a place for the living of pigeons and their offspring, a kind of indigenous Iranian architecture, and a functional, historical monument that has gradually found its position in various parts of the Iranian architecture. These monuments were initially constructed just as a very small part of a larger architectural complex for the military and security exploitation of the pigeons residing there to communicate or exchange messages and news in specific circumstances. Due to the existence of a significant number of such buildings in agricultural farms and the increasing risk of their destruction, it is necessary to preserve them by conducting basic studies and explain their special place in the history of the Iranian architecture. It seems that those buildings have somehow reflected the social class and the conditions of the society around them in terms of form, structure, and dimensions. Therefore, in order to examine the relationship between architecture and the social class that governs each region, the authors have studied and classified them. In this regard, they have first documented the mentioned works with photos, designs, and maps (plan, facade, section) as well as the initial data obtained from the buildings based on field visits to Dovecotes in the study area. Then, the authors have prepared a scattering map and analyzed the architecture of the dovecotes. With the use of GIS science and its software, steps have been taken to achieve real scientific results. Based on the information obtained from the mentioned buildings and their location, the questions to answer are ‘what is the relationship between different farming communities and the structure of dovecote formation?’ and ‘how can this connection be explained?’ Given the existence of a master-peasant class system governing the society in the mid and late Islamic periods, the authors plan to use archeological reports to study the formation of dovecotes in different areas, assuming that the creation of dovecotes in various dimensions and structures in different parts of the country depended on the ruling class in each region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the enduring iconicity, multifaceted functions, and changing meanings of the Astor Hotel in Tianjin—one of the first international hotels in modern China—from the mid-19th century to the 21st century. Originally built more than 150 years ago, the Astor Hotel still stands exactly where it did in the former British Concession in Tianjin. This hotel was not only a venue boasting Tianjin's most expensive accommodations but also a crucial site where politics, technology, economics, social, and cultural changes intersected and developed in its treaty port incarnation. Moreover, the expansion of the Astor Hotel evolved along with the development of Tianjin from a hypercolonial city to a Chinese-run metropolis. Shortly after the Communist Revolution in China, its ownership was overtaken by the Tianjin Municipal Government. Following a sequence of major renovations and commercial relaunches in the 1990s, the Astor Hotel was restored and reconstructed as an emblem of Tianjin's historical status as an international and cosmopolitan city in China. Both continuity and changes will be emphasised in the discussion of the Astor Hotel's history, as well as its multiple functions and shifting symbolic significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Magazine General Union of Arab Archaeologists is the property of General Union of Arab Archaeologists 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.)

Theoretical subjects, such as history, usually do not attract the interest of students and as a result educational games and serious games that use augmented reality (AR) are increasingly used as a means of supporting education. It is believed that these games can make the lesson more engaging and contribute to improving student performance. However, relevant research is limited. The present research presents the AR-enhanced serious game "Exploring Ancient Greece" that aims at supporting 10- to 14-year-old students in learning the history of Ancient Greece. It consists of three levels that include: a presentation of archaeological sites with AR that gives students the chance to explore places of historical interest; a trivia game that includes an AR presentation of a monument or piece of art somewhere in the physical surroundings of the students; and an escape room where the player is trapped in an archaeological site and tries to solve riddles to find the exit. To evaluate the game, an empirical study was conducted involving students between the ages of 10 and 14 who answered knowledge questions before and after playing the game, completed a questionnaire including questions based on the System Usability Scale (SUS), as well as questions for evaluating their experience, and answered oral questions. Based on the results of this study, students improved their knowledge of history, evaluated the game positively and stated that they prefer the use of serious games and AR in education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alessandro Pierattini The Origins of Greek Temple Architecture Cambridge University Press, 2022

The article is based on the materials of field research conducted in the Kaliningrad region in 2022–2023. The authors proceed from the idea of this region as a frontier emerged due to redefinition of jurisdiction of the territories of East Prussia after World War II and geopolitical transformations after 1991. Currently, the region is surrounded by EU countries, and this predetermines its perception as a civilizational frontier – a space of comparison between Russian and European ways of life, and intensified the politicization of local historical memory. The aim of the article is to examine the narratives underlying visual transformation of the cultural landscape of the Kaliningrad region since 1945, their relation to the tasks of de-actualization of the region’s past, appropriation of German heritage and its integration into the Russian cultural space. Cultural landscape is defined both as a product and environment of human activity saturated with a variety of artifacts, and as a sign system that forms, preserves, and controls a certain vision of the world. The use of the semiotic paradigm allowed us to consider monuments as its long-term semantic accents. We also took into account the multiplicity of actors influencing the organization and reorganization of the cultural landscape, the variability of the correlation of political forces and opportunities, and the participation in the transformation processes of both power institutions that limit the possibility of alternative perception of reality, and society that resists ideological programming. The evolution of semantic dominants of the cultural landscape we analyzed in the context of shifts in the ideology and attitudes of regional society. We conclude that the compromise tactics of appropriation of the region’s past, developed over time, are based on countering the challenges of the time and solving practical problems, rather than on political attitudes.

Based on the Athens and Venice Charters, several remarkable architectural interventions were created through monument restorations in 20th century. It was mainly the period of the 60s that allowed modern architecture to penetrate historical structures. These were manifestations based on the conservation method, without preference of hypothetical reconstructions and copies. New forms often ensured the use of monuments for contemporary society. In addition to meeting the declarations of the Venice Charter, the monuments were enriched with a new, now historical layer with their aesthetics. During the current restorations, we witnessed the removal of high-quality layers of modern architecture. We therefore consider it important that ICOMOS pay attention to this specific issue. It is a matter of protecting the latest historical layer, which should also be approached with the same responsibility as the early layers and should therefore be respected as part of our history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]