Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture, 1991. / Supervised by Stanford Anderson. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 273-286).

Situées sur la porte de la Syrie médiévale, les sanctuaires d'Héliopolis la fameuse colonie romaine furent, dès la conquête arabe en 14H/635, converties en citadelle. Dans une région ou le paysage castral est fortement imprégné par les fortifications byzantines et croisées, le complexe héliopolitain a été dès cette période et surtout entre la fin du XIème siècle et la fin du XIIIème siècle, le théâtre d'une transformation de son architecture. Un ensemble de réalisations militaires et civiles, seldjouqides, ayyoubides, mameloukes et ottomanes témoignent des travaux de mise en défense des sanctuaires antiques de Baalbeck, qui fut, durant les périodes médiévales, un point de défense avancée de Damas. / Located on the gates of Medieval Syria, the sanctuaries of Heliopolis, one of the famous roman colonies were used as a citadel since the Arab conquest in 14H/635 A.D. Ever since that time and especially between the end of the 11th and the end of the 13th century, the heliopolitan complex was subject to the transformation of its architecture, in a region where the cadastral landscape is highly impregnated by Byzantine and Crusader fortifications. A number of military and civil structures from the Seljuq, Ayyubid, Mameluke, and Ottoman dynasties witness the defense works of the old sanctuaries of Baalbeck that was considered during the medieval periods an advanced defense point of Damascus.

The present study aims to investigate the composition of historical plasters to get information about their material characteristics and their technology. Plaster samples were obtained from four Ankara Citadel houses built in late Ottoman period. In order to determine the raw material characteristics and mineralogical properties of plasters / chemical analyses, optical observation of cross sections, petrographic analyses of thin sections, elemental analyses by ICP-OES, X-ray powder diffraction analyses for the determination of mineral phases, thermogravimetric analyses and FTIR analyses were carried out. Interpretation of all the analytical examination was used to understand the composition and unique character of plaster samples studied. Observation of thin sections revealed more plaster layers than those observed in cross sections. Up to twelve layers could be observed with different colours, such as blue, red, yellow, green, white and brown. Generally, thicknesses of white plaster layers were found to be thicker than the others. In two samples, two black boundaries between plaster layers were identified which could be an indication of the use of asphalt for isolation purposes, like dampness proofing or heat insulation. Soluble salt contents of the plaster samples were in the range 3.04%-9.22%, with an average being 6.62%. The anions identified were Cl-, SO42-. In few samples, PO43-, NO2- and NO3- were found. Binder was found to be lime and gypsum. The amount of binder in terms of total calcium oxide, CaO, was found to be in the range of 33.5-43.6%, with an average being 37.9%. Amount of aggregate was about 62.1% as average. The main minerals identified in plaster samples were calcite and gypsum. Gypsum might be added to increase the strength of the plaster. Beside calcite and gypsum, quartz and pozzolanic activity related mineral, Opal-A, were found in some of the samples. In red plaster layers hematite mineral was also identified. Other colour effective elements were found to be Fe, Sb, Mn, Cu, Cr and Ni. Presence of organic additives was observed but clear identification was not established.

Traditional Dwellings in Ankara Citadel have an important place among both Anatolian and Ankara Traditional Dwellings, reflecting certain characteristics of their own. Citadel Area, as one of the oldest settlements in Ankara, has been hosting both residential and commercial activities for a very long period of time. Today, the area has regained its popularity / as a commercial, cultural and tourism center with the potential of its remaining values from the past and conservation movements held in the area starting from 1970&amp / #8217 / s. Within these circumstances, the residential pattern inside Citadel area, the boundaries of which are strictly defined by historical fortress walls, carries the highest risk in the area. At this point, main factors threatening the existing pattern can be categorized in four titles, which also constitute the definition of the problem that the thesis is going to deal with. First factor is the rapid change in original use of traditional dwellings in the Outer Citadel due to the pressure derived from the increase in tourism, commercial and cultural activities in the area. Second factor is the assignment of gastronomic function as the most popular and major function among new functions of restored traditional dwellings in the area. The third factor is the disappearance of original characteristics and values of traditional dwellings due to restoration projects, which is caused by the discordant relation of the spatial, functional requirements of gastronomic use with the original characteristics, spatial capacity of traditional dwellings. Last factor is the present physical situation of traditional dwellings, which doesn&amp / #8217 / t correspond with their physical situation in the projects approved by the Board of Conservation of Ankara. Outer Citadel is the study area for the problem with its clear boundaries, which is actually a buffer zone between the commercial, cultural, tourism zone outside the Citadel Area and Inner Citadel, in which the existing residential pattern, mostly preserving its original characteristics and use, is located. This thesis mainly intends to point out how the original characteristics, values and spatial quality of traditional dwellings are affected from the gastronomic function in both positive and negative ways within the context of contemporary understanding and methods of conservation. Discordances and problems between the approved restoration projects and the restoration implementations are another subject of the thesis. The thesis starts with an introduction chapter, informing about the theoretical framework established for the study, the definition and aim, which also informs about the methodology followed. Second chapter consists of a historical research on Ankara Citadel and examinations on the present situation of the area, traditional dwellings in Ankara Citadel and other developments in the city which have an effect on Citadel Area and traditional dwellings. Third chapter includes the analyses of traditional dwellings chosen for the study with their evaluations, in which the original characteristics and values these dwellings are also indicated. Fourth chapter consists of the analyses of the restoration projects of the traditional dwellings again with their evaluations, considering both the present situation and the original characteristics and values. Thesis ends with a conclusion chapter, which makes a general evaluation of the study within the context of modern conservation approaches.

Bam Citadel is a unique complex with some mediocre buildings in it. Construction started in the Achaemenid period (550–330 BC) and is still being completed and repaired up to the 21st century. Although the Bam region is located in south-western Iran in an active seismic zone, the City of Bam had not reported any major historical earthquake before 26th Dec. 2003. The massive earthquake that day killed or injured more than 37,000 people and most of the city collapsed. Bam Citadel became a unique adobe complex for the World Heritage community after this disaster. According to the surveys, the earthquake caused damage to about 23% of the ancient monuments close to and inside the Citadel. Most of the ruins were the parts that already added to the main body of work or were repaired during the last intervention of 1993. For this reason the technical method, used for the enhancing of the adobe building, is highlighted as the main task. There are four items which are very important for any seismic upgrading in heritage sites: seismology of the area, quality of the construction, function of the building and cultural values. A wide variety of intervention strategies and techniques have been considered for the repair and the seismic retrofitting of the adobe buildings in the Citadel. With respect to that point, the possible relationship between the cultural values and seismic upgrading are always polar opposites. Obviously the buildings in Bam Citadel have many problems, for example the geometry data are not available, there are large variability layers, construction sequence is unknown, existing damage in the structures is very serious, regulation and codes are non-applicable and so on. In fact in this research I am trying to adjust the stability and safety measures with values of the cultural heritage property as much as possible; on the other hand I am trying to optimize the strengthening methods to an acceptable amount of side affect on values. This PhD thesis focuses on the strategies and the techniques that have been applied to preserve the historical monuments and to evaluate the traditional and modern engineering methods that are used in conservation projects in Bam Citadel.

Notre thèse s’est donnée pour objectif de réaliser une étude systématique de l’évolution architecturale du Château et de la Citadelle de Nice dans le contexte géopolitique du duché de Savoie de la fin du XIIIe siècle au début du XVIIIe siècle, passant des ouvrages des maîtres d’œuvre médiévaux à ceux des ingénieurs de l’époque moderne. Notre recherche a porté sur les constantes et sur les différences, sur la complexité du site remodelé au cours des siècles dans une topographie contraignante toute particulière. La prise en compte de l’espace et du temps a constitué un élément déterminant dans l’étude de cet ensemble architectural imposant, à une période où l’architecture militaire a connu une évolution fulgurante.Cette place forte a été également resituée dans l’ensemble fortifié pluriel se développant de la frontière des États italiens à celle de la Provence orientale, composé d’anciennes places fortes médiévales, modernes ou de transition. Pour tenter de restituer l’image, la forme et les transformations successives du Château de Nice aujourd’hui disparu, notre travail s’est appuyé sur l’étude des textes, de l’iconographie et sur une approche archéologique comparée du site.La réalité historique du Château de Nice peut ainsi retrouver sa place dans sa globalité architecturale, temporelle et géographique. / The objective of our thesis was the systematic study of the architectural evolution of the Castle and Citadel of Nice against the geopolitical backdrop of the Duchy of Savoy from the late 13th century to the early 18th century, covering the work of the medieval master builders to those of the engineers of the modern era. Our research focused on the continuity and differences, and on the complexity of a site that was remodeled throughout the centuries in a quite particular and constrained topography. The concern for space and time was an integral component in the study of this imposing architectural estate, erected at a period when military architecture was undergoing a dramatic evolution. This fortified town was also reexamined as part of a manifold ensemble of fortifications composed of former medieval, modern or intermediate fortified towns, which expanded from the border of the Italian states to that of eastern Provence. In an attempt to revive the image, form, and successive transformations of the now destroyed Castle of Nice, our work drew on the study of texts and iconography, and on a comparative archeological study of the site.The historical reality of the Castle of Nice can therefore reclaim its architectural, temporal, and geographical unity.

The Rosetta Stone is one of the most important stone fragments in history. It is the most popular single object in London’s British Museum, has been the object of scholarly research and has had much written about it. Indeed, any account of the history of translation will at least mention the Rosetta Stone. Today, the name “Rosetta” is used metaphorically in the context of translation, foreign-language learning, and even space exploration. In the light of this, one would assume that all sources are in agreement on the facts but, surprisingly, this is not the case. This article shows that sources disagree even in the most obvious aspects, such as the material, colour, condition of the stone and, in particular, with respect to its discovery. Based on an excursion to Alexandria, Rashíd and the – in all likelihood – real discovery site in the Nile delta, this article provides facts and casts some doubt on the reliability of internet sources.

No description available.

L’objet de ce travail est d’étudier le lien entre le mécénat et le décor architectural à Damas de l’arrivée des Salğūqides à l’irruption des Mongols en Syrie et l'occupation destructrice de la ville, soit la fin de la dynastie ayyūbide.Un recensement des monuments conservés, replacés pour certains dans le contexte d’un mécénat qui dépasse largement la métropole syrienne, permet de mettre plusieurs groupes de mécènes, un groupe princier (le dynaste et sa famille directe), celui des émirs qui gravite autour de ce pouvoir central sans toujours résider et se rend ainsi visible dans la capitale, et celui des groupes de juristes et de religieux (soufis notamment) qui, tracent avec leurs fondations une géographie dans la ville et dans ses faubourgs.Une présentation des monuments par étapes chronologiques, et par réseaux (familiaux, sociaux) illustre des moments-clefs de la création artistique à Damas (milieu du XII° siècle: Nûr al-Dîn; début XIII°: al-'Âdil) et des groupes d’édifices liés par des caractères originaux: muqarnas de plâtre au XII° siècle et de pierre au XIII° siècle n'ornent longtemps que les portails des familles princières.Le décor réside dans les choix architecturaux (salles à coupoles, transition sur trompes ou sur pendentifs), mais aussi dans le choix des matériaux avec le goût pour la peinture et la sculpture sur plâtre et pour les assises de pierre colorées (ablaq).L’étude des ornements, montre des liens durables avec l’art fatimide jusqu’au début du XIII° siècle, mais aussi des échanges constants avec les foyers de l'espace zankide et ayyûbide, mais aussi de Mésopotamie, d’Iran et d’Asie Centrale, qui pourvoient Damas en savants et combattants. / This work is a study about the link that we can find between the Architectural Ornament and the patronage in medieval Damascus from the arrival of Salğūqids to the Mongol conquest.A listing of the still existing (or documented) monuments, put for some patrons into the context of their known architectural activity in order to point out the importance of the destroyed monuments, throws light on the activity of rulers and their family, military circles, and religious circles. This patronage outlines a geography of these groups in and around the city of Damascus.The study of the monuments, chronologically and by circles of patronage (families, social groups…) illustrates some moments of important artistic activity ( Middle of the XIIth century: Nûr al-Dîn; Beginning of the XIIIth century: al-Âdil), and also some groups of monuments with original ornamentation, or conception: plaster and stone muqarnas only occcur on portals built by the ruler and his family, not by the amirs, nor scholars.Architectural ornament is also based upon some choice, for cupolas on squinches or pendentives, for cut plaster or painted plaster, couloured stones for stripped walls (ablaq).The study of ornaments shows the links with Fatimid art till the beginning of the XIII° century, and with close Syrian and Mesopotamian sources, but also with the more remote oriental sources, with Iranian and Central Asian art, in this time many scholars and warriors.come to Damascus from these countries.

Bam Citadel is a unique complex with some mediocre buildings in it. Construction started in the Achaemenid period (550–330 BC) and is still being completed and repaired up to the 21st century. Although the Bam region is located in south-western Iran in an active seismic zone, the City of Bam had not reported any major historical earthquake before 26th Dec. 2003. The massive earthquake that day killed or injured more than 37,000 people and most of the city collapsed. Bam Citadel became a unique adobe complex for the World Heritage community after this disaster. According to the surveys, the earthquake caused damage to about 23% of the ancient monuments close to and inside the Citadel. Most of the ruins were the parts that already added to the main body of work or were repaired during the last intervention of 1993. For this reason the technical method, used for the enhancing of the adobe building, is highlighted as the main task. There are four items which are very important for any seismic upgrading in heritage sites: seismology of the area, quality of the construction, function of the building and cultural values. A wide variety of intervention strategies and techniques have been considered for the repair and the seismic retrofitting of the adobe buildings in the Citadel. With respect to that point, the possible relationship between the cultural values and seismic upgrading are always polar opposites. Obviously the buildings in Bam Citadel have many problems, for example the geometry data are not available, there are large variability layers, construction sequence is unknown, existing damage in the structures is very serious, regulation and codes are non-applicable and so on. In fact in this research I am trying to adjust the stability and safety measures with values of the cultural heritage property as much as possible; on the other hand I am trying to optimize the strengthening methods to an acceptable amount of side affect on values. This PhD thesis focuses on the strategies and the techniques that have been applied to preserve the historical monuments and to evaluate the traditional and modern engineering methods that are used in conservation projects in Bam Citadel.