Ancient Architectural Restoration in Asia Minor

Typology, Techniques and Meanings Discussed with Reference to Examples of Large-scale Public Buildings in Hierapolis of Phrygia, a Seismic City in Western Turkey

Abstract

This paper discusses the phenomenon of architectural restoration in Hellenistic and imperial times. In the absence of an explicit ancient theoretical treatment of the objectives and techniques of restoration, the topic is analysed using the tools of archaeology, in order to complement the existing historical and epigraphical research. In this framework, the paper focuses on the evidence from Asia Minor, starting with an examination of the well-preserved architectures of Hierapolis in Phrygia (Pamukkale, Turkey), a city lying in a highly seismic region. In the first part of this paper ancient restoration measures are discussed and a typology of repairs is proposed: the evidence gathered from the monuments of Hierapolis is compared to other examples, chosen from Asia Minor, in order to emphasise the value of the technical knowledge originating in the local workshops. The second part presents a contextual analysis of restoration measures affecting the Gymnasium of Hierapolis, which underwent numerous reconstructions between the 1^st and the 7^th centuries A.D. The systematic study of the south colonnade of the palaestra makes it possible to view the various restoration measures (materials, assembly techniques, etc.) from a diachronic perspective, showing the historically determined sensitivities which guided successive reconstructions of the building.