Anastylosis (from theAncient Greek:αναστήλωσις, -εως;ανα,ana = "again", andστηλόω = "to erect [a stela or building]") is anarchitectural conservation term for a reconstruction technique whereby aruined building or monument is re-erected using the original architectural elements to the greatest degree possible, combined with modern materials if necessary. With theVenice Charter, it was established that the latter should be unobtrusive while clearly recognizable as replacement materials.[1] It is also sometimes used to refer to a similar technique for restoring brokenpottery and other small objects.[2]
The intent of anastylosis is to rebuild ruined historical architectural monuments from as much of the original material that is left after hundreds or even thousands of years. This is done by placing components back into their original positions. Where standing buildings are at risk of collapse, the method may entail the preparation of drawings and measurements, piece-by-piece disassembly, and careful reassembly, with new materials as required for structural integrity; occasionally this may include new foundations. When elements or parts are missing, modern materials (of restoration grade) may be substituted, such asplaster,cement, and syntheticresins.
The internationalVenice Charter of 1964 details criteria for anastylosis. First, the original condition of the structure must be confirmed scientifically. Second, the proper placement of each recovered component must be determined. Third, supplemental components must be limited to those necessary for stability (that is, substitute components may never lie at the top), and must be recognizable as replacement materials. New construction for the sake of filling in apparent lacunae (gaps) is not allowed.
Anastylosis has its detractors in the scientific community. In effect, the method poses several problems:
One of the well-restored structures restored by the anastylosis method is theTemple of Garni. The entire colonnade of the temple collapsed in a devastating earthquake on June 4, 1679, theepicenter of which was located in the gorge ofGarni. Most of the original building blocks remained scattered at the site, allowing the building to be reconstructed. As much as 80% of the original masonry and ornamental friezes were at the site by the late 1960s. Renewed interest in the 19th century led to excavations at the site in the early and mid-20th century, and its eventual reconstruction between 1969 and 1975, using the anastylosis method.[citation needed]
A primitive anastylosis was carried out in 1836 at theAcropolis inAthens, where theTemple of Athena Nike was re-erected from remaining parts. Around 1905,Sir Arthur Evans famously reconstructed parts of the Minoan palace atKnossos. Starting in 1902, the Greek architectNikolaos Balanos used anastylosis in order to restore a collapsed portion of theParthenon, restore theErechtheion, and rebuild the Nike Temple a second time. Iron clamps and plugs which had been used earlier had started to rust and had caused heavy damage to the original structure. These were removed and replaced with precious metal clamps. When the temple was once again rebuilt additional newly identified original fragments were added. Currently, anastylosis is being applied to the Parthenon.[citation needed]
Several monuments protected by theArchaeological Survey of India have been restored, includinghavelis inShekhavati andHumayun's Tomb.
Early in the 20th century, Dutch archaeologists carried out anastylosis of thestupa at theBuddhist temple complex atBorobudur in Java,Indonesia between 1907 and 1911.[3] ThePrambanan Hindu temple complex was excavated and was partially reconstructed between 1911 and 1953, also reconstructed using the anastylosis method. The recent practice of anastylosis in Indonesia is the reconstruction ofKedulan temple, built in 869, the temple was buried under volcanic layers for centuries, until it was discovered in 1993. The restoration of the entire Kedulan Temple complex was expected to be completed by the end of 2018.[4]
TheÉcole Française d'Extrême-Orient (EFEO) began restoration work atAngkor Wat in 1908. Between 1986 and 1992, theArchaeological Survey of India (ASI) carried out restoration work on the temple.Bayon was restored by EFCO followed by Japanese Government Team for the Safeguarding of Angkor (JSA).Ta Prohm is being restored by theArchaeological Survey of India.
Aphrodisias has several buildings sufficiently well preserved to allow such anastylosis: the Tetrapylon (1983–90); the east end of the Sebasteion's South Building (2000–2012); the Doric logeion of the Theatre (2011–2012); and the Propylon of the Sebasteion complex (2012– ).[5]
 | This section needs to beupdated. The reason given is:Buddhas of Bamiyan - "preservation work has ceased and there are no indications that reconstruction will occur in the foreseeable future". Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(August 2023) |
TheBuddhas of Bamyan inAfghanistan which were destroyed by theTaliban in 2001 are under consideration for anastylosis.[7] Archaeologists have estimated that as much as 50% of the statues' material is recoverable.
It would be possible to reconstruct theGourgion Tower inGozo,Malta using anastylosis, since many of its decorated stones and inscriptions were retrieved following its destruction in 1943 by theUnited States, and are now in storage atHeritage Malta.[8]
Following therecapture of Palmyra by the Syrian Army in March 2016, director of antiquities Maamoun Abdelkarim stated that theTemple of Bel, theTemple of Baalshamin and theMonumental Arch, which had been destroyed by theIslamic State of Iraq and the Levant in 2015, will be rebuilt using anastylosis.[9]
Translated from theFrench language article and theGerman language article 10 May 2006.