The context of the Venice Charter (1964)

Abstract

The Venice Charter has been the benchmark for principles governing architectural conservation/restoration for over thirty years. We asked Jukka Jokilehto to comment on the context in which it was drawn up. Now often referred to simply as the ‘Venice Charter’, the correct full name of this document (of which we print the text in an appendix) is: ‘The International Charter for the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites’, adopted by the IInd International Congress of Architects and Technicians of Historic Monuments, Venice, 1964.     

XRF Characterization Of 18th Century Piedmontese Porcelains From The Palazzo Madama Museum (Torino,Italy)

Around 100 porcelain objects of the 18th century Rossetti, Vische and Vinovo manufactures (Piedmont, Italy) from the Palazzo Madama Museum collection were analysed by means of an X‐ray fluorescence portable detector. The present study represents the first chemical characterization of these early (1737–1825) European porcelains. Chemical composition data were submitted to multivariate clustering techniques that underscored a complete classification of the three manufactures and the presence of three subgroups for the Vinovo production. These resulting subgroups did not mirror the classification expected on the basis of the historiographic literature. The overall data pointed to technological continuity not only through all the Vinovo phases but even continuing from the earlier Vische manufacture.     

The Wreck of the Warship Northumberland on the Goodwin Sands,England, 1703: an interim report

The Northumberland, a third‐rate man‐of‐war was lost with all hands during the Great Storm of 26–27 November 1703 on the Goodwin Sands—famously known as ‘the ship swallower’. It was rediscovered in 1980 by local divers following the location of a sister ship, the Stirling Castle. Since, the primary concern has been to record exposed structural remains, ordnance and artefacts, and interpret the wreck formation of the site. This paper describes the results of this work, and discusses in particular the size of the keel, the use of chocks, and standardization of ordnance in the Restoration Navy through reference to comparable ship‐finds and historical records.     

The Marausa Wreck,Sicily: interim report on a boat built in the Western Imperial Roman tradition

In 1991, the wreck of a late 3rd–early 4th century AD Roman merchant vessel was discovered on the west coast of Sicily that had carried North African amphora, tubuli, and other ceramics. The hull was dismantled and raised in 2011, including a keel hook‐scarfed to stem and sternposts, 39 pegged mortise‐and‐tenon joined planks, 43 frames with an irregular pattern of floor‐timbers, half‐timbers, and futtocks fastened to the planking with treenails and copper nails, sister‐keelsons and evidence of two stringers, 36 ceiling strakes, and the base of a bilge pump. Many repairs are indicated. The fairly flat bottom and round bilges, mortise‐and‐tenons, sister‐keelsons and lack of a coherent framing pattern, place the boat in the Western Imperial tradition.     

Building Forcello: Etruscan wattle-and-daub technique in the Po Plain (Bagnolo San Vito,Mantua, northern Italy)

The study analyses through an interdisciplinary approach the wattle-and-daub building technique used on the Po Plain of northern Italy, focusing on the archaeological evidence from the Etruscan site of Forcello, near Bagnolo San Vito (Mantua) (540–375 bce ). Wattle and daub is widespread across different times and periods, and is particularly common in regions such as the Po Plain, where stone sources for construction are not immediately available. Thanks to a combined archaeometric, geological and anthracological study, the paper provides new insights on a fifth-century bce building structure from Forcello. The findings reveal information on the life history of this feature, including its construction, maintenance and final destruction. The research also sheds a new light on the wattle-and-daub technique and on the interaction between people and the Po Plain Etruscan palaeoenvironment.     

The Supply of Glass at Portus Ilicitanus (Alicante,Spain): A Meta‐Analysis of HIMT Glasses

Portus Ilicitanus (Picola, Alicante) was the main sea harbour of the Roman Colonia Iulia Ilici Augusta and as such played a crucial role in the supply of fundamental commodities to the Iberian Peninsula. Excavations yielded large quantities of glass in fourth‐ and early fifth‐century contexts. Elemental analysis of 60 samples by laser ablation – inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) confirmed that the glasses were imported from the Eastern Mediterranean. A majority of the glasses correspond to the HIMTa primary production group, which originates from Egypt. The statistical evaluation of published data of 589 HIMT glasses further revealed differential distribution patterns of the HIMTa and HIMTb subtypes between the Eastern and Western Mediterranean, suggesting chronological trends that are linked to wider geopolitical changes. This demonstrates the need for systematic large‐scale approaches to identify supply patterns and possible factors underlying geographical differences and/or chronological developments.     

The 9th‐Century‐AD Belitung Wreck,Indonesia: analysis of a resin lump

The 9th‐century‐AD Belitung wreck was discovered in 1998 in the Java Sea. Construction techniques rapidly confirmed that it was unlike any known Chinese or Southeast Asian vessel. The uncertainty about its origins was resolved in 2008 by timber identifications: it was constructed in the Middle East (probably Oman or Yemen). This paper, on the characterization of a dammar resin lump collected in the vicinity of the wreck, supplies additional evidence confirming the probable re‐stitching of the vessel somewhere in Asia. © 2010 The Authors     

The 19th‐Century Akko Tower Wreck,Israel: a summary of the first two excavation seasons

The shipwreck designated as the Akko Tower Wreck lies at the entrance of Akko harbour, Israel, 35 m north of the Tower of Flies, in 4.4 m of water. Following two seasons (2012 and 2013) of underwater excavation, it is suggested that it is the remains of a merchant brig of 200 tons, dated to the first half of the 19th century, and built under the influence of the French shipbuilding tradition in an established shipyard. The full story of the ship and its place in the maritime history of Akko, however, remains an enigma.     

Palaeovegetation from a Homo neanderthalensis occupation in Western Liguria: archaeopalynology of Madonna dell'Arma (San Remo,Italy)

This study presents a short local vegetation history of Western Liguria (San Remo), northwest Italy, based on a palynological analyses of an 8.30-m-long archaeological section in the dune covering Madonna dell'Arma cave. Madonna dell'Arma is one of the Mousterian caves currently located on the Ligurian coastal zone. The site contains Levallois-type Mousterian tools, four pieces of skull attributed to Homo neanderthalensis and fauna remains belonging to Rhinoceros mercki, Elephas sp. and Hippopotamus amphibius. This study is of interest as the site is situated in an area where data on palaeovegetation are scarce. In fact, the archaeopollen analyses of Madonna dell'Arma cave's surroundings provide a rare local picture of vegetation during the beginning of OIS 4, posterior to 73,100 yr BP.The palynological taxa are grouped into three vegetation units by PCA (principal components analysis). These data suggest a huge Mediterranean pre-steppic forest (Pinus, Quercus ilex and several herbs) colonizing the area during this substage. The adjacent valleys were colonized by a caducifoliate–alluvial forest and Mediterranean scrub vegetation. These vegetation characteristics suggest a semi-arid coastal climate with an increase of precipitation according to altitude. The PCA analyses of the palynological sections inside and outside the cave suggest a nearly continuous vegetation succession from OIS 5a to OIS 4.     

The Weicker Site: a Lorna San Gabriel Hamlet in Durango,Mexico

Abstract

The Weicker site is a small Loma San Gabriel hamlet located in the Uplands of the Sierra Madre Occidental of NW Mexico, just west of the city of Durango, Durango. As part of a larger survey and excavation project in 1952, excavations were conducted in two of the three low mounds present at the site. Testing revealed the remains of two compounds defined by the presence of low rock walls. Within each compound were the remains of three structures thought to be habitation and storage facilities. The floors of the compounds were well compacted and contained hearths between the rooms. A small assemblage of ceramics and chipped and ground stone was also recovered. Architectural features, material culture, household activities, and site function are described and discussed.     

The Lead Ingots from the Wreck of the Zuiddorp (1712), Western Australia: a report on their provenance and manufacture

The Dutch United East India Company ship Zuiddorp vanished on its way to Batavia in 1712 – its last port of call was the Cape of Good Hope. After its wreck was found on the Western Australian coast, archaeological investigations resulted in the retrieval of 21 lead ingots. Recent study of this artefact assemblage, comprising both great pigs and pieces, suggests that they were of north English origin. Historical records indicate that the Dutch procured large quantities of lead from English sources and maritime trade links between English and Dutch ports were well established at the beginning of the 18th century. © 2012 The Authors