“They Call Them Antiḳa”. Ottoman Travellers in Italy and the Idea of Antiquities in the Early Tanzimat Period

During the nineteenth century, the Ottoman fashion of looking at archaeological relics, present in large quantities in the territories of the Empire, deeply changed. This paper examines the reports of three Ottoman travellers who visited European countries in the early Tanzimat period. They introduced a new conceptualization of antiquities that stemmed from the direct observation of ancient monuments and museums in Italian cities. My argument is that the experience of travelling in Italy was one of the factors that contributed to shaping the new perception of antiquities that was emerging among the Ottoman elite.

A Christian Emperor between Pagan Gods

In recent years, images of rage against monuments have filled the media. Unmistakably expressing a high degree of tension in societies, these forms of hostility against heritage have been diversely interpreted, prompting passionate expressions of support as well as fierce criticism. Contesting public memorials, however, is not a new form of socio-political dissent. During Late Antiquity, for example, a new sensibility towards ancient monuments emerged in the vast territories that were once part of the Roman Empire. In this article, the late-antique fate of the so-called ‘temple of Hadrian’ at Ephesus is analysed as a case-study. The aim is to gain a better understanding of the approaches adopted to accommodate traditional monumental landscapes in the changed late-antique socio-political context. This analysis offers a new perspective on ancient and contemporary phenomena of contestations of monuments.

Ἀναγωγή in Ancient Greek Exegetical Literature

Термин ἀναγωγή довольно часто употребляется в древних памятниках христианской богословской и экзегетической литературы в разных значениях, что во многом затрудняет понимание этого слова в каждом отдельном случае. В рамках экзегетической процедуры ἀναγωγή употребляется в метафорическом значении и обозначает переносный смысл, а иногда и переносное понимание текста, когда речь идёт о метафорическом содержании фигур речи или о присутствии мистического аллегорического смысла. Современная отечественная библейская наука склонна видеть в ἀναγωγή определённый духовный метод/смысл интерпретации Священного Писания (чаще всего имеется в виду эсхатологическое толкование). Когда эта модель переносится на почву древней экзегетической литературы, то неизбежно возникает противоречие между современным определением и своеобразием языка древних авторов. В рамках данной статьи предпринимается попытка рассмотреть основные значения ἀναγωγή в древних экзегетических памятниках. Ἀναγωγή is quite often used in ancient monuments of Christian theological and exegetical literature in different meanings, which greatly complicates the understanding of this word in each individual case. Within the framework of the exegetical procedure, anagoge is used in a metaphorical meaning and denotes a figurative meaning, and sometimes at the same time a figurative understanding of the text, when it comes to the metaphorical content of figures of speech, or the presence of a mystical allegorical meaning. Modern Russian biblical science tends to see in ἀναγωγή a certain spiritual method/meaning of the interpretation of the Holy Scriptures (most often it means the eschatological interpretation). When this model is transferred to the soil of ancient exegetical literature, then a contradiction arises between the modern definition and the originality of the language of ancient authors. Within the framework of this article, an attempt is made to consider the main meanings of ἀναγωγή in ancient exegetical monuments.

Surface orange patinas on the limestone of the Batalha Monastery (Portugal): characterization and decay patterns

Samples of orange patinas found on a limestone window tracery and an ornament of the Batalha Monastery have been investigated by X-ray micro-diffractometry (μ-XRD) and low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectrometry (LV-SEM + EDS). The aim of the study was to determine the composition of the layered patinas, assess whether they have been intentionally applied or naturally formed, and study their degradation patterns. Preliminary results revealed that the orange patinas on the window tracery and the ornament showed different compositions and appearance, suggesting distinct formation pathways. Orange patinas on the ornament, which are now showing decay and delamination patterns, mainly consisted of gypsum with hematite as a minor component, implying the possibility of an intentional application of a mixture of ochre and lime as tint plaster. Orange patinas on the window tracery show, instead, the presence of Ca-oxalates, abundant weddellite, and minor whewellite, with minor hematite suggesting the yellowish/orange color as being due to Ca-oxalate patinas imbedding soil dust airborne particles. Such patina was possibly formed naturally either by the chemical attack due to atmospheric air pollutants from traffic exhausts emissions or by bacterial activity. No delamination was observed on the window tracery sample with granular decohesion as the major decay phenomenon. A comparison was made between this patina and the so-called scialbatura, a surface yellowish coating often found by conservators on limestone and marble in ancient monuments in the Mediterranean region.

YOUKAI AS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN THE FORMATION OF JAPANESE CULTURE

The analysis of the concept of "youkai" in Japanese mythology, its origin is given, the varieties of youkai are considered. There are references to youkai in ancient monuments of Japanese culture, their reflection in literature and fine arts, modern film and game industries

Die Bautätigkeit der Päpste Julius II., Leo X. und Paul III. in Rom und deren Wahrnehmung in der ersten Hälfte des 16. Jahrhunderts

Building Operations under Pope Julius II, Leo X and Paul III in Rome and their Perception in the First Half of the 16th CenturyThe following seminar paper examines the perception of building projects in Rome under Pope Julius II, Leo X and Paul III in the first half of the 16th century. On the one hand, contemporary reports show that measures to beautify and improve the streets of Rome generally left a positive impression among the Roman population. On the other hand, a letter written by Raffael Sanzio to Leo X criticized reconstruction efforts as they led to drastic changes, for example in demolishing numerous ancient monuments.

Surveying the Cultural Heritage of the Swedish Countryside - Success and Failure during the Twentieth Century

The surveys of the cultural heritage of the Swedish countryside have been carried out in accordance with different laws. This has led to a great specialisation of certain aspects of the cultural heritage, and the evaluation of them has always been a task for specialists. The same specialisation often has characterised the scientific research on ancient monuments, nature, etc. In general an enormous amount of knowledge has been gained, but the historic understanding of why the remains exist at all has never been given as much attention as their physical appearance. This has caused a major separation between the cultural heritage management and the nature conservation.

The Voice of the Authorized Heritage Discourse: A Critical Analysis of Signs at Ancient Monuments in Skåne, Southern Sweden

The study presents an investigation of a regional authorized heritage discourse, represented by the County Administrative Board on signs set up at an- cient monuments and sites in the province of Skåne in southern Sweden. The starting point is a critical analysis of layout, texts and illustrations to ascertain the narratives conveyed by the signs. The results show that slightly less than half of the studied signs work well according to the criteria set up for the study. The result also demonstrates that more than half of the studied signs do not work well according to these cri- teria. Those that work well give detailed information about the ancient monument or site. The signs that do not work well give inadequate information and risk excluding a majority of the people who read them. The latter signs confirm what so many other discourse analyses have shown, that the authorized heritage dis- course to a large extent still privileges the perspectives of a white, middle-class male. The former signs, that is, those that are judged to work well in terms of the criteria applied in this study, show that the authorized heritage discourse does not only offer something that privileges the perspectives of that white, middle class male, but also has the ability to offer narratives with other perspectives.

The Orientation of Ancient Monuments in Sweden - A Critique of Archaeoastronorny and an Alternative Interpretation

The results of three archaeoastronomical studies of Scandinavian ancient monuments are discussed and dismissed as unconvincing. The necessity of a broader approach to the problem of orientation is emphasised. The mean orientations of several groups of ancient monuments in Sweden are presented. It is suggested that graves, as well as other ancient monuments, are roughly oriented according to the four cardinal points, although the conception of the cardinal points was not the same as it is now. Two different ancient conceptions are suggested, the B- and C-systems. Possible social and religious background and astronomical principles are discussed.