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Reinforcement and partial real-world creation of the podium of one of the three preserved temples
Published on 01 August 2018
Italy
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About this good practice
The project consisted in reinforcement and partial real-world creation of the podium corner of one of the 3 preserved roman temples in the area of the Populonia Acropolis and was a part of the Project ACCESSIT – Itineraries of accessible heritage (Cross-border Programme IT-FR MARITIME 2007-2013).
There are two main type of the barriers preventing the visitors to understand the historic-archaeologic heritage of the Acropolis: physical, identified with the lack of paths allowing the visitors to go close to the buildings, and cultural, fundamentally derived from the difficulties for those who look, to perceive the real nature and the original consistency of the buildings, due to the complex state of preservation of the remains.
Through the experimental reconstruction, the project proved that the placement of synthetic blocks, which can limit the shape, color and size of the original blocks and constructions can give a more explanatory vision of the archaeological remains to the visitors, among which tourists, especially families with children, schools and residents.
The reconstruction included:
- Micro-seismic surveys, in order to evaluate the geo-mechanical characteristics of podium, such as P-wave refractive tomography and MASW profiles for S waves.
- Recovery and analysis of all the fragments of the original temple podium lining
- Graphic reconstruction of the podium
- Research on usable synthetic materials similar to the original one
- Reconstruction of the podium.
There are two main type of the barriers preventing the visitors to understand the historic-archaeologic heritage of the Acropolis: physical, identified with the lack of paths allowing the visitors to go close to the buildings, and cultural, fundamentally derived from the difficulties for those who look, to perceive the real nature and the original consistency of the buildings, due to the complex state of preservation of the remains.
Through the experimental reconstruction, the project proved that the placement of synthetic blocks, which can limit the shape, color and size of the original blocks and constructions can give a more explanatory vision of the archaeological remains to the visitors, among which tourists, especially families with children, schools and residents.
The reconstruction included:
- Micro-seismic surveys, in order to evaluate the geo-mechanical characteristics of podium, such as P-wave refractive tomography and MASW profiles for S waves.
- Recovery and analysis of all the fragments of the original temple podium lining
- Graphic reconstruction of the podium
- Research on usable synthetic materials similar to the original one
- Reconstruction of the podium.
Resources needed
An amount of 24.000,00 Euro was spent for the reconstruction of the corner of the podium:
- Goods and infrastructure: € 15.000,00
- Professional assignments: € 9.000,00.
- Goods and infrastructure: € 15.000,00
- Professional assignments: € 9.000,00.
Evidence of success
The success of the experimental reconstruction of the temple corner can be evidenced by the fact that in 2017 the Region of Tuscany provided the funds to fulfil the reconstruction of the whole podium of the temple under the same approach.
Additional positive effects produced by the project:
- increased number of visitors
- increased visitors’ satisfaction thanks to better accessibility and understanding of the remains
- indirect benefits to the city council and cultural assotiations.
Additional positive effects produced by the project:
- increased number of visitors
- increased visitors’ satisfaction thanks to better accessibility and understanding of the remains
- indirect benefits to the city council and cultural assotiations.
Potential for learning or transfer
The used approach to reconstruct the monument by:
- applying innovative methods in protection of cultural heritage (e.g. micro-seismic surveys, P-wave refractive tomography, MASW profiles, research on usable synthetic materials);
- using technical solutions in reconstruction of cultural heritage such as reversible and modular synthetic blocks,
- making very small complementary interventions of low budget totally harmonized with the territory that could improve access and observation of the site can be transferred to other countries willing to harmonize the preservation of their cultural heritage with its fruition by the pubic and usage resource for tourism activities.
The intervention has the dual benefit because:
- it is completely reversible and modular, easy to maintain and clean;
- it ensures the preservation of the remains through the containment by the reconstructive blocks, preventing the surviving masonry being subject to crumbling and collapsing.
- applying innovative methods in protection of cultural heritage (e.g. micro-seismic surveys, P-wave refractive tomography, MASW profiles, research on usable synthetic materials);
- using technical solutions in reconstruction of cultural heritage such as reversible and modular synthetic blocks,
- making very small complementary interventions of low budget totally harmonized with the territory that could improve access and observation of the site can be transferred to other countries willing to harmonize the preservation of their cultural heritage with its fruition by the pubic and usage resource for tourism activities.
The intervention has the dual benefit because:
- it is completely reversible and modular, easy to maintain and clean;
- it ensures the preservation of the remains through the containment by the reconstructive blocks, preventing the surviving masonry being subject to crumbling and collapsing.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Val di Cornia Park System - Archaeologic park of Baratti and Populonia
Italy
Toscana