City of emperors (c. AD 285–350)

This chapter explores the archaeological evidence from London for the short-lived ‘British Empire’ of Carausius and his successor Allectus, when the city gained the pretensions of an imperial capital. Allectus commissioned a massive new public building complex along the riverside. This appears to have incorporated two unusually late examples of classical temples, which were perhaps attached to an imperial palace. In addition to summarizing previously published work, the text includes new speculations as to the character and identity of these temples. The suggestion that the boat found at County Hall in 1910 had been built as part of Carausius’ fleet is tentatively revived. The mint established at this time continued in operation after Constantius’s reconquest of Britain and Constantine’s subsequent assumption of power. The archaeological remains of this period are described to show that London remained an important administrative centre, but power was exercised from private houses and compounds. The city was no longer a port of consequence, and several of London’s most important public buildings were made redundant, quarried for buildings materials, and replaced by workshops.

Microclimatic Effects on the Preservation of Finds in the Visitor Centre of the Archaeological Site 1a Imperial Palace Sirmium

When an archaeological site is roofed over for the better display of the finds and more comfortable experience of the audience, the intervention undoubtedly changes the microclimatic conditions in the site. Although sudden changes in microclimatic factors are known to damage and/or destroy archaeological finds, their impact and its analysis are neglected in Serbia. There is no continuous monitoring and control of microclimatic conditions or their impact on architectural remains in archaeological sites. Accordingly, the values of microclimatic parameters of temperature and relative humidity and their daily oscillations are examined in this paper through microclimatic monitoring in the Visitor Center of the Archaeological Site 1a Imperial Palace Sirmium, which is a cultural asset of exceptional importance. Moreover, microbiological analyses determine the degree of contamination of architectural findings. The aim of this paper is to determine whether the microclimatic regime in the Visitor Center of the Archaeological Site 1a Imperial Palace Sirmium is in accordance with European standards and recommendations on optimal microclimatic conditions for the presentation and preservation of cultural heritage collections. The findings showed that during the phase of microclimatic monitoring (February–April 2021), air humidity was almost constantly above the levels set by standards and recommendations for museum collections (>60%). The highest levels of air humidity, amounting to 93%, were recorded in February, with daily oscillations of up to 30%; the lowest recorded temperature was 0.3 °C, with the maximum daily oscillations of 6 °C. Microbiological analysis revealed great diversity in the deterioration level of the finds, which can be attributed to the time lapse between the last conservation and the present. The comparative analysis of the results of microclimatic monitoring and microbiological analysis identified high levels of relative air humidity as the dominant factor in the increased microbiological contamination of the finds. It is also concluded that the continuous monitoring of the microclimatic parameters of temperature and relative humidity during the usage of the facility is necessary so as to enable sustainable presentation and preservation of findings.

New historical records about the construction of the Arch of Ctesiphon and their impact on the history of structural engineering

A piece of historical research about the construction of the ancient Arch of Taq-iKisra, part of the imperial palace of the Sasanian Empire in the city of Ctesiphon, has been carried out. The information obtained, an analysis using graphic statics, the use of a physical model with hanging chains, and an ad hoc optimization program written in MATLAB have shown that the designer of this sixth century ad arch, a Byzantine named Farghán, was aware of the effects of the uneven distribution of loads and the differential settlements of the foundations on the equilibrium shape of structures working exclusively in compression and was able to control them. This discovery predates the earliest statement about the link between the shape of the catenary and that of an arch, by Robert Hooke, by eleven centuries and makes this building relevant not only because of its historical, archaeological, and architectural importance, but also because of its importance in the history of structural engineering. The building is currently in need of restoration to stop its collapse, and an awareness of the way it was designed could be of practical use for the definition of the intervention needed.

Purser of the Moscow Theological Academy Hieromonk Irenaeus (Dobrolyubov)

Цель статьи - познакомить читателя с личностью одного из замечательных тружеников Московской духовной академии середины XIX в. - иеромонаха Иринея (Добролюбова). На основании сведений, полученных археологической экспедицией при исследовании некрополя Троице-Сергиевой лавры, и информации, хранящейся в библиотеке Московской духовной академии, удалось пролить свет на этапы устройства в Царских чертогах императорского дворца Покровского академического храма, прояснить обстоятельства сооружения Библиотеки, перестройки и перепланировки Царских чертогов, Классного, Инспекторского и Больничного корпусов, приспособление их к требованиям нового Устава духовных академий, а также узнать о деятельности эконома, о его личных качествах и чертах характера наставника. В итоге восполнен ещё один пробел в истории Русской Православной Церкви, Лавры и Академии. The purpose of the article is to acquaint the reader with the personality of one of the remarkable workers of the Moscow Theological Academy of the mid-19th century- Hieromonk Irenaeus (Dobrolyubov). Based on the information obtained by the archaeological expedition during the study of the necropolis of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, and information stored in the library of the Moscow Theological Academy, it was possible to shed light on the stages of the arrangement in the Imperial Palace of the Intercession Academic Church, to clarify the circumstances of the construction of the Library, the reconstruction and redevelopment of the Royal Palace, Classroom, Inspector and Hospital buildings, adapting them to the requirements of the new Charter of theological academies, as well as learn about the activities of the economist, about his personal qualities and the character traits of a mentor. As a result, one more gap in the history of the Russian Orthodox Church, Lavra and Academy was filled.

Microclimatic Effects on the Preservation of Finds in the Visitor Centre of the Archaelological Site 1a Imperial Palace Sirmium

For the purpose of this paper, the actual air temperature and air humidity values were monitored in the Visitor Centre of the Archaeological site 1a Imperial Palace Sirmium, designated cultural heritage of exceptional importance. The contamination level of archaeological finds in the site was microbiologically analysed. The findings showed that during the phase of microclimatic monitoring (February–April 2021), air humidity was almost constantly above the levels set by standards and recommendations for museum collections (>60%). The highest levels of air humidity, amounting to 93%, were recorded in February, with daily oscillations of up to 30%; the lowest recorded temperature was 0.3°C, with the maximum daily oscillations of 6°C. Microbiological analysis revealed great diversity in the deterioration level of the finds, which can be attributed to the time lapse between the last conservation and the present. The comparative analysis of microclimatic monitoring and microbiological analysis results identified high levels of relative air humidity as the dominant factor in the increased microbiological contamination of the finds. The findings also pointed to the necessity of continuous microclimatic monitoring during the actual usage of the facility in order to provide the sustainable display and preservation of the finds on the premises.

STUDY ON DETERIORATION OF HISTORIC MASONRY IN THE FORBIDDEN CITY IN BEIJING AIDED BY GIS

The Forbidden city in Beijing is one of the first culture heritage to be listed as UNESCO World Heritage in 1987. The mass and complexity of this imperial palace brings challenges to scientific surveys and documentations. This graduation project adopted the technology of GIS to record, evaluate and analyze historic masonry and their deteriorations across the palace. Aided by ArcGIS, the deterioration degree of every accessible masonry element was accurately and efficiently evaluated and recorded, as well as connected to its precise location among the Forbidden City. All accessible masonry elements in Forbidden City were divided into different types as buildings, walls, foundations, and stairs. The common deteriorations of masonry in Forbidden City were defined and graded according to their degree of severity so that the deterioration was quantified, and a database was established. Before the survey, the mechanism of masonry deterioration in the Forbidden City was presumed to be related to several possible factors. Adopting ArcGIS to set up a database enabled to visualize the distribution of masonry deterioration in the site and lead to a preliminary conclusion, as well as a further mathematic analysis of the data to better understand the cause of deterioration.

Frederick II of Hohenstaufen (1208–1250)

Frederick II of Hohenstaufen, King of Sicily (1208–1250). Frederick II of Hohenstaufen was the second king of the Swabian dynasty to sit on the throne of Sicily. He was crowned in 1198, but, in consideration of his young age, he only ruled independently from 1208 to 1250 (the year of his death). He not only held the title of King of Sicily but also was the King of Germany (or of the Romans), the King of Jerusalem, and, above all, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. His most relevant and innovative iconographic representations were in Southern Italy. For this reason, we focus on the images in this geographical context. In particular, we have nine official (that is, those commissioned directly by him or his entourage) representations of him: the bull (in three main versions), the seal (in three main versions), five coins (four denari and one augustale), the statue of the Capua Gate, and the lost image of the imperial palace in Naples.

Palace Banquet in the Heian Japan. The Origins. Part 1

The process of meal consumption was one of the key elements in the life of early medieval Japanese society as it included special rituals. Thus, food had an enormous symbolic purpose among the utilitarian ones. Court banquets were held to enhance the prestige of the host or strengthen social ties between the participants. The educational potential of the court feast was no less important. This practice was well-grounded in the early Japanese court religious and ceremonial tradition and partially continued its ideals. Court regulations preserved and furthered such traditions, for example, the Bokuzansho (Notes of the Northern Hills) is the best known among them. It is possible that the strict regulation of food amount and type not only enlarged the sphere of the sacred but also made court life more disciplined. The common meal strengthened the ideals of the court environment: the emperor and his inner circle were distinguished from the general community. To sum up, the description of the court allows us to better understand the life in the imperial palace, the provisions and ideals in dignitaries’ minds, and the various social norms and problems that existed in the court society. In the article, the author describes the phenomenon of Japanese palace meals in the 9th to 12th centuries. Therefore, based on this analysis, he presents a reconstruction of the lifestyle of Japanese court society.

Functional Analysis of Garments in 18th Century Burials from St. Michael’s Crypt in Vienna, Austria

The Michaelergruft in Vienna (St. Michael’s crypt), Austria, is located near the imperial palace Vienna and has been used between 1560 and 1784 by the local nobility of the city center in Vienna. The inventory of a large number of coffins has been preserved due to favorite environmental conditions, it offers the possibility to study specific details about the funeral customs of the 17th and 18th century in Central Europe. Selected burials dating to the 18th century from the Michaelergruft serve as case studies for developing new theoretical and methodological approaches in investigating the textiles and garments found in the coffins. Garments found in crypts usually are analysed due to costume history, aspects of conservation and preparation. Also textile analysis and modern analytical methods are applied to the material. In discussing the garments from St. Michael’s crypt, questions about the interpretation of the costume arise such as if they are “normal” daily life (or festivy) garments or specific funeral costumes. In the following paper criteria are discussed which enable to distinguish between “functional garments” worn also in daily life, “adapter garments” (daily life clothing that has been re-sewn, cut or altered to be used as garment for the dead), and “funeral costumes” that have been deliberately made.