The Perils of Restoring Ancient Architecture with Modern Materials

Submitted by Iza on Tue, 09/12/2023 - 17:13

Text by our correspondent from Didyma, Glenn Maffia. All photos by Graeme Patrick Houlden.

The eminently laudable desire in restoring ancient architecture is an endeavour that seeks to preserve our human cultural heritage while exhibiting the architectural grandeur of previous civilizations.

Nonetheless, extreme caution in the use of modern materials in this restoration process must be of paramount attention in this aspiration. For, inevitably, this use of contemporary materials raises concerns about the potential perils faced by these historic structures.

The theatre at Kaş - undoubtedly the worst case of reconstruction

August 2023 in Turkish archaeology

Submitted by Iza on Sat, 09/02/2023 - 14:10

August 2023 saw the final stages of the extensive landscaping restoration of 2,000-year-old Roman baths in Yozgat province. The renovations also continued in a Lycian settlement of Tlos where the ancient theater was prepared to host the performances in 2025. Meanwhile, the excavations at Tepecik Mound in Aydın province, located in the western part of Turkey, revealed a structure believed to have been used as a palace or temple in the 13th century BCE. Finally, in the excavations carried out in the ancient city of Olba, located in the Silifke district of Mersin, a female statue believed to belong to the 2nd century CE and two frieze fragments depicting mythological scenes were unearthed.

Turkish Archaeological News collects the most important, interesting and inspiring news from Turkish excavation sites. Here's the review for August 2023. Have we missed anything? Let us know by using Contact tab!

The ancient city of Olba, in the Silifke district of Mersin

Scratching a name for oneself

Submitted by Iza on Wed, 08/30/2023 - 08:14

Text by our correspondent from Didyma, Glenn Maffia.

The, relatively, recent news of a man etching his and his girlfriend's names, "Ivan + Hayley '23", into a wall of the 2,000-year-old Colosseum in Rome caused much indignation across the world. Mainly, I suspect, due to the sheer ignorance exhibited by the perpetrator when he claimed that he "did not realise it (the Colosseum) was so old".

The utter lack of education so prevalent today is a discussion for another time, but this miscreant is far from being original in his actions.

Scaffold-clad columns of the Temple of Apollo in Didyma

A return to the past

Submitted by Iza on Wed, 08/23/2023 - 17:58

Text by our correspondent from Didyma, Glenn Maffia.

It was a delightful and refreshing sight to return to the comparative idyllic bliss of a contemplative veil of silence descending upon the environment of the ancient stones of Didyma. For in recent weeks, it feels like months, we have had extended festivals usurping the immediate area encircling the Temple precinct and parked cars choking the road arteries leading into the area.

I have no doubts, noticing the congregated hordes, the popularity of the Vegan and Jewellery Festivals. But is this a truly sensible venue for such an event(s)? Now the cacophony of the festival attendees have slunk away, no doubt to the many Blue Flag beaches which fortuitously capture the indolent hordes, we can return to that semblance of contemplation to once more consider the Temple and the entire archaeological site. It is, indeed, a pleasure to be returned into that graceful silence once again.

Naïve eloquence

Submitted by Iza on Wed, 08/16/2023 - 08:04

Text by our correspondent from Didyma, Glenn Maffia. All photos by Voices Newspaper, reprinted with their permission.

It may not be particularly prudent to mention the glaringly obvious, but Türkiye’s economic woes continue to mount to the point of being seismic. This certainly is not my sphere of understanding, and I shall leave discussion to those better to do so. Though the ramifications do intrude upon my little corner of interest, namely the protection of our shared human past.

As in all economic meltdowns, certain areas are identified as being surplus to immediate requirement. Corners are abrasively cut to less than desirable levels. I feel, in my field, that this is indicative of the gradual shift away from academic enquiry and a move towards financial opportunists.