Reconstructing and conserving the past*changing interpretations: impact of new research and technologies
*issues of conservation and reconstruction: Italian and international contributions and responsibilities *ethical issues: excavation and conservation, study and display of human remains *value and impact of tourism: problems and solutions |
Skeleton of a mule, House of the Chaste Lovers
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Lost World of Pompeii
Alison, Lazer and Pont - Short bio's and contributions...
3_australian_archaeologists.pdf |
CHANGING INTERPRETATIONS - IMPACT OF NEW RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY
Issues include... (judgments) |
A - The new era archaeologist is armed with a mentality that is devoted to the preservation of objects, whether human remains or artefacts. Non-interaction with them to avoid damage takes precedence - Dewell
B - Naples is no longer the responsibility of the archaeologist alone. It is a multi disciplined responsibility - Wallace-Hadrill C - The daily issues that come up on site, whether during excavation or conservation, are dealt with by the archaeologist, the conservation restorer, and where necessary by the structural engineer, the expert for humidity and water, the chemist and the geologist - Bradley • electrical measuring devices and recording devices • found evidence of a comprehensive post-earthquake rebuilding plan that disproved Maiuri’s theory • technological advancements have assisted forward motion in the excavation and documentation of Pompeii • Pompeii mainly remains a ‘one layered’ site providing a limited view of preroman colonisation • Unity of teams of archaeologists rather than individuals like previous digs means more recognition and funding as well as many more voices and ideas being expressed • Role and responsibility of archaeologists have changed dramatically • There has been a ‘shifting away from the old certainties of fact and truth towards multiple and varied interpretations’ • More work carried out in labs – less invasive techniques allow for better preservation |
Pompeii: Secrets Revealed with Mary Beard
scanlabprojects.co.uk/work/pompeii-new-secrets-revealed/
Click the link to find a summary of Mary Beard's masterpiece from 2016. Scanning the entire city has been a priority to preserve what exists before further deterioration and or destruction. Gettin your hands on this documentary is a must!
Click the link to find a summary of Mary Beard's masterpiece from 2016. Scanning the entire city has been a priority to preserve what exists before further deterioration and or destruction. Gettin your hands on this documentary is a must!
ISSUES OF CONSERVATION AND RECONSTRUCTION: ITALIAN AND INTERNATIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
PRESERVATION = TOTAL PROTECTION FROM HARMFUL AND DAMAGING FACTORS •
RESTORATION = ANY PROCESS WHICH CONTRIBUTES TO ENHANCING THE VISUAL OR FUNCTIONAL UNDERSTANDING OF AN OBJECT OR BUILDING. IT IS NEEDED TO AID INTERPRETATION OF OBJECTS •
CONSERVATION = THE ACT OF SAFEGUARDING THE OBJECTS AND STRUCTURES WHICH COMPRISE THE MATERIAL REMAINS OF THE PAST TO ENSURE THOSE REMAINS ARE AVAILABLE TO USE AND ENJOY TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE
• International organisations designed to look after the conservation of Pompeii are:
o ‘the Pompeii trust’. Their objective is for – “the preservation, restoration, improvement, and maintenance of all objects, artefacts, structures or antiquities of architectural, historical, or archaeological interest relating to Pompeii or its neighbouring regions”
o ‘World monuments watch’
o ‘The Kress foundation’
o ‘The houses in Pompeii’ project – set up by Germany
o ‘The insular of Menander’ project – Britain
o ‘Pompeian forum’ project - Britain
“By far the greatest negative impact on the sites are the millions of visitors each year, especially as they are confined to smaller and smaller areas” - Bradley
• Half of what could be seen in the 1950’s can be seen today
• Wear down mosaics and street pavements • exposing lead pipes which crack and break up
• Humid breath and camera flashes deteriorate walls and pictures
• Rubbish is dumped
• items taken as souvenirs
• 1986 – Blanquat declared that Pompeii was “an archaeological disaster of the first order”
RESTORATION = ANY PROCESS WHICH CONTRIBUTES TO ENHANCING THE VISUAL OR FUNCTIONAL UNDERSTANDING OF AN OBJECT OR BUILDING. IT IS NEEDED TO AID INTERPRETATION OF OBJECTS •
CONSERVATION = THE ACT OF SAFEGUARDING THE OBJECTS AND STRUCTURES WHICH COMPRISE THE MATERIAL REMAINS OF THE PAST TO ENSURE THOSE REMAINS ARE AVAILABLE TO USE AND ENJOY TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE
• International organisations designed to look after the conservation of Pompeii are:
o ‘the Pompeii trust’. Their objective is for – “the preservation, restoration, improvement, and maintenance of all objects, artefacts, structures or antiquities of architectural, historical, or archaeological interest relating to Pompeii or its neighbouring regions”
o ‘World monuments watch’
o ‘The Kress foundation’
o ‘The houses in Pompeii’ project – set up by Germany
o ‘The insular of Menander’ project – Britain
o ‘Pompeian forum’ project - Britain
“By far the greatest negative impact on the sites are the millions of visitors each year, especially as they are confined to smaller and smaller areas” - Bradley
• Half of what could be seen in the 1950’s can be seen today
• Wear down mosaics and street pavements • exposing lead pipes which crack and break up
• Humid breath and camera flashes deteriorate walls and pictures
• Rubbish is dumped
• items taken as souvenirs
• 1986 – Blanquat declared that Pompeii was “an archaeological disaster of the first order”
cities_of_vesuvius_-_conservation_retsoration_and_tourism.docx |
ETHICAL ISSUES: EXCAVATION AND CONSERVATION, STUDY AND DISPLAY OF HUMAN REMAINS
A - Archaeologists are faced with the problem that respectful treatment is highly subjective as the cultures of the world have developed various ways of respecting the dead.
• Issues of human remains arose through the concerns of indigenous people for whom it is taboo to disturb the dead • Values and attitudes change and therefore archaeologists constantly are infuriated over the treatment of human remains by the archaeologists before • Initially remains were treated with disrespect and discarded to make way for precious finds, or taken as souvenirs • Bones scattered making the study of a whole skeleton today very difficult • Many archaeologists believe all excavation of human remains should stop and those already unearthed should not be displayed • Some believe people should have access to the story human remains tells • Generally agreed bodies pre-1000yrs are allowed to be exhumed for study so long as they are accounted respect • Scientists’ rights no not override the beliefs of present descendants • Issue of custodianship has two ends – cultural and direct descendants, and museums as custodians of the general public • Also question of analysis when that analysis may not be able to be repeated • Appropriate storage Is crucial so that future analysis is possible • The display of human remains should be avoided at all costs due to religious and cultural beliefs |
CT scants of a child, House of the Fugitives
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ethical_issues_study_of_human_remains_brennan.pdf |