Ancient monument

Nowadays, Ancient monument has become a topic of great importance in today's society. With the advancement of technology and rapid globalization, Ancient monument has become an increasingly relevant topic of discussion in different areas. Whether in the social, political, economic or environmental sphere, Ancient monument represents a turning point that has marked a before and after in the way in which society develops. In this article, we will explore different aspects related to Ancient monument, from its impact on people's daily lives to its influence on the global landscape.

For other uses, see Ancient monument (disambiguation).
Stonehenge is one of the most famous prehistoric monuments.

An ancient monument can refer to any early or historical manmade structure or architecture.[1] Certain ancient monuments are of cultural importance for nations and become symbols of international recognition, including the ruins of Baalbek on Lebanese currency, the Angkor Wat on Cambodian currency and the Great Wall of China on the Chinese currency.[2] Ancient monuments are often used in the modern world as symbols to represent a country; they may be part of a country's cultural heritage and a means for the people of a nation or city to identify themselves.[3] Some countries display ancient buildings as symbols on their coats of arms, as a way to affirm national identity.[4]

In British law, an ancient monument is an early historical structure or monument (e.g. an archaeological site) worthy of preservation and study due to archaeological or heritage interest. The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 classified ancient monuments as "scheduled monuments" or monuments that are considered by the Secretary of State of archaeological, historical or artistic importance.[5]

Historical significance and cultural heritage

The Angkor Wat is an ancient temple and heritage site in Cambodia and is a symbol on the notes of Cambodian currency.

National identity and iconography

Since the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, with the rise of nationalism, part of the nation-building process was the construction of a national past.[6] This past comprised a collection of legends, traditions and myths. In Europe's emerging nations, ruins and relics became the centre of attention for group consciousness and national aspirations, which became an important motivation for the emergence of a preservation movement.[7] This was because many buildings, landscapes and monuments achieved a great level of significance as symbols and icons of a growing nation.[8][9] As such, these buildings and landscapes became national monuments, which possessed new meanings given the emergence of nationhood. Light and Dumbraveanu-Andone assert that the connection between heritage and national identity continues to be important.[7] This is also evident in national identity related to an awareness of national heritage that is still visible around the world.[4]

Minaret e Jam in Afghanistan, one of the tallest and oldest minarets in the world, is highly vulnerable to earthquakes.[10]
The archaeological site of Ancient Olympia in Greece where tourists, particularly archaeologists or students, visit from across the world for different purposes: to examine, study, or view the site.

Archaeology

The emergence of the discipline of archaeology was linked to the rise of nationalism.[11] It was often emphasised to be used in service of the nation-state to reinforce its historical and territorial legitimacy. Archaeology as a culture-historical discipline is the study and preservation of remains from past societies and their environments.[12] In this, the past is studied through preserving its sources including landscape (ancient monuments or heritage sites) and physical artefacts. The preservation and restoration are important for all heritage sites, particularly at locations of ancient monuments and archaeological areas that are in dangerous or delicate conditions.[13]

Preservation and care

United Kingdom

To protect, preserve and care for ancient monuments, various laws were passed during the late 19th and the 20th centuries.[14] These included the Ancient Monuments Protection Act of 1882 and the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.[15] The 1882 Act was passed after several unsuccessful attempts, which ensured government involvement in England and Ireland to legally preserve and conserve ancient monuments. Following this, in 1913, the Ancient Monuments Consolidation and Amendment Act provided an extension to the existing powers by introducing a concept known as Preservation Orders.[16] This enabled monuments under threat of removal or damage from neglectful treatment to be classified under the protection of the Commissioners of Works.[17][18] In particular, Section 6.2 qualified the monuments as of national importance and required them to be preserved. Additionally, any ancient monument could be considered for inclusion on that list, not just those in the Guardian of the State[clarification needed], and this meant that for the first time legislative protection could be applied on a large scale. Thus Guardianship Monuments[clarification needed] were distinguished to[from?] what later became defined as "Scheduled Monuments".[17]

Furthermore, the Ancient Monuments Act 1931 extended its protection policies around previous monuments, including the scheduled monuments on the list, by introducing a notification system.[19] As part of this system, monument owners had to give the Commissioners of Works three months' notice in writing of any works affecting the monument; this remained in force until 1979.[20] During the 1930s and 1940s, there were a number of background strategies by various organisations concerned with ancient monuments. In the immediate aftermath of the Second World War, a committee was established to look into the existing state and future direction of archaeological work in Britain.[21] This resulted in the publication of A Survey and policy of field research in the archaeology of Great Britain; and from this, more information about the past to fill gaps in knowledge.[20]

Modern preservation

Pollution in Agra, India impacts the exteriors of the Taj Mahal.

The modern preservation techniques consist of physical planning and zoning.[22] Physical planning at archaeological sites around ancient monuments help direct the vehicle and pedestrian traffic from sensitive areas. [23] Additionally, zoning is a key principle of physical planning at monumental sites. [23] It refers to the physical development and protection of sites in various zones of contact or distance from important resources.[23] Zoning also enables certain amenities and visitor services to be managed in an effective manner. [23] There are several approaches to physical planning and zoning at historic monuments. As each site has its own unique environmental concerns and needs, zoning may vary from one to two zones or at times, several zones to protect and manage the area.[23]

Issues that ancient monuments such as historical buildings face can be linked to internal and external environmental factors.[24] This include the new changes that can add improvements to the interior of the building can also lead to new factors that cause decay. The example Feilden used was of traditional and historical building construction "breathes" are useful as it enables the "easy passage of moisture vapor".[25] In these cases, vapour checks and monitoring the environmental factors for balance is required. Other modern methods include preventive maintenance through acts such as the reduction of traffic vibration or air pollution through town planning controls.[25] As a maintenance strategy, this conservative activity is considered as an important protective method without intervention.[26]

Tourism

Uluru (Ayers Rock) is a sacred monolithic site to the First Nations of Australia.
The Western Wall, located in the Jewish quarters of the Old city of Jerusalem, is a religious site for Jewish pilgrims.
The Dome of the Rock, part of the compound known as the Masjid Al-Aqsa, is one of the holiest sites in Islam.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is a sacred site for Christians, who believe that it is the place where Jesus was crucified and resurrected and that his tomb is located there.
Moai Statues are monolithic ancient monuments at Easter Island, Chile
Petra Siq, entrance to the ancient Nabatean city of Petra, Jordan.

Heritage tourism

Following the mass decolonisation period after World War II, identity through[clarification needed][Incoherent] remains, the past and landscapes became more common; and global tourism rapidly increased.[27] With the rise of globalisation, tourism has grown to become a type of commodity[clarification needed] during the 21st century, with new places and elements to discover.[28] In addition to this, the exoticism and romanticism around experiencing other "more authentic" cultures have contributed to heritage and cultural tourism.[29] As a result, ancient monuments are linked to heritage tourism because of the cultural and national aspect that the monuments embody. Heritage tours (including tours of ancient monuments) may include religious tourism and patriotic tourism.[30]

Religious tourism

The concept of religious heritage tourism has been around for several centuries.[31] According to Bond, Packer and Ballantyne, people have their own purpose and motives for visiting a religious heritage site or location.[32] These include five key factors:[Not clear how we get to five.] to find spiritual and emotional connection, to discover new things, to engage mentally, to interact or belong as well as searching for peace to relax.[32] Religious site tourism is also linked to pilgrimage as well as paying a visit to sites such as the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre[33] and the Dome of the Rock[34] in the Old City of Jerusalem. All these sites are considered to be ancient monuments as they are of historical and cultural importance.

Patriotic tourism

Tourism that are attached to nationalistic or patriotic sentiments is another type of heritage tourism. In the modern context, post World War I and World War II, certain places and sites and being claimed as nationalistic sites that patriotic tourists visit for the purpose of reclaiming and reaffirming their heritage and national identity. Such sites include the forts and castles of Ghana,[35] the ANZAC Cove[36] and the Great Wall of China. These types of ancient monuments fall under the category of national and historical importance. They are associated with culturally driven tourism linking to the colonial and violent past of nations that have become symbols of cultural reaffirmation and awakening.[37]

Archaeological tourism

Whilst certain types of tourism can negatively impact the sustainability of historical and ancient sites, archaeological tourists have led to the conservation and maintenance of ancient monuments.[38] All archaeological disciplines apply the same types of methods and one includes the study of the physical artefact or site. In the modern world, most archaeologists are involved in excavations to rescue and preserve archaeological traces that can be damaged from activities such as housing, road-building, natural gas pipelines or airports.[39] Cultural heritage plays an important role with globalization and increasing ethnic recognition and thus, this type of management is significant.[40] As such, archaeologists are taking care of several ancient monuments and historical sites, and with the growth of tourism, this has become more vital and is defined as "heritage management".[39]

Archaeologists alongside to architects help preserve what other specialists, including art historians, cultural geographers, or ethnologists, study. [41] These may include medieval churches, monolithic monuments or ancient relics, stupas or paintings. For example, the study of the concept of "dying culture" refers to a part or portion of a living, an existing culture that has older origins, however, is still in use.[42] In this case, preservation of traditional objects, artefacts and monuments through archaeological study is both important for ancient monuments and the tourism industry.[43]

Examples of archaeological excavation that are classified as ancient monuments:

Other categories of tourists

  • Journalists
  • Students studying certain sites
  • Volunteers
  • Community leaders and politicians[44]

Types of ancient monuments

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Priwer, Shana; Phillips, Cynthia (2014). Ancient Monuments. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. p. 88.
  2. ^ Timothy, Dallen J. (2020). Cultural Heritage and Tourism: An Introduction (Vol. 7). Bristol, UK: Channel View Publications. p. 377.
  3. ^ Jokilehto, Jukka (1998). "International Trends in Historic Preservation: From Ancient Monuments to Living Cultures". APT Bulletin. 29 (3/4): 18. doi:10.2307/1504606. ISSN 0848-8525. JSTOR 1504606.
  4. ^ a b Timothy, Dallen J. (2020). Cultural Heritage and Tourism: An Introduction (Vol. 7). Bristol, UK: Channel View Publications. p. 378.
  5. ^ Emerick (2014), p. 111.
  6. ^ Resane, Kelebogile T. (2018). "Statues, Symbols and Signages: Monuments Towards Socio-Political Divisions, Dominance and Patriotism?". Hervormde Teologiese Studies. 74 (4): 3. doi:10.4102/hts.v74i4.4895.
  7. ^ a b Light & Dumbraveanu-Andone (1997), p. 28.
  8. ^ Resane, Kelebogile T. (2018). "Statues, Symbols and Signages: Monuments Towards Socio-Political Divisions, Dominance and Patriotism?". Hervormde Teologiese Studies. 74 (4): 1. doi:10.4102/hts.v74i4.4895.
  9. ^ Abrams, Elliot M.; Bolland, Thomas W. (1999). "Architectural Energetics, Ancient Monuments, and Operations Management". Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory. 6 (4): 264. doi:10.1023/A:1021921513937. ISSN 1072-5369. JSTOR 20177407. S2CID 59896572.
  10. ^ Menon, Arun; Lai, Carlo G.; Macchi, Giorgio (January 2004). "Seismic Hazard Assessment of the Historical Site of Jam in Afghanistan and Stability Analysis of the Minaret". Journal of Earthquake Engineering. 8 (sup001): 251–294. Bibcode:2004JEaEn...8S.251M. doi:10.1080/13632460409350527. S2CID 129837666.
  11. ^ Light & Dumbraveanu-Andone (1997), p. 29.
  12. ^ Kristiansen, Kristian (26 March 2009). "The Discipline of Archaeology". The Oxford Handbook of Archaeology: 4. doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199271016.013.0001.
  13. ^ Feilden, Bernard M. (2003). "Preventive maintenance of historic buildings". Conservation of Historic Buildings: 239.
  14. ^ Feilden, Bernard Melchior (2003). Conservation of Historic Buildings (Third ed.). Oxford: Architectural Press. p. 17.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: publisher location (link)
  15. ^ Cochrane, Robert (1910). "Ancient Monuments Protection Bill". The Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland. 40 (1): 59. ISSN 0035-9106. JSTOR 25514048.
  16. ^ Emerick (2014), p. 80.
  17. ^ a b Darvill (1987), p. 3.
  18. ^ Emerick (2014), p. 89.
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  21. ^ a b Jokilehto, Jukka (1998). "International Trends in Historic Preservation: From Ancient Monuments to Living Cultures". APT Bulletin: The Journal of Preservation Technology. 29 (3/4): 17–19. doi:10.2307/1504606. JSTOR 1504606.
  22. ^ Timothy, Dallen J. (2020). Cultural Heritage and Tourism: An Introduction (Vol. 7). Bristol, UK: Channel View Publications. p. 373.
  23. ^ a b c d e Timothy (2020). Cultural Heritage and Tourism: An Introduction (Vol. 7). p. 374.
  24. ^ Feilden, Bernard M. (2003). Conservation of historic buildings (Third ed.). Oxford. p. 235. ISBN 9780750658638.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  25. ^ a b Feilden (2003). Conservation of historic buildings (Third ed.). Oxford. p. 237.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  26. ^ Feilden (2003). Conservation of historic buildings (Third ed.). Oxford. p. 237.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
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  28. ^ Raj, Razaq; Griffin, Kevin A.; Morphet, Nigel D. (2013). Cultural Tourism. Wallingford: CAB International. p. 39.
  29. ^ Alvarez, Maria D.; Go, Frank M.; Yüksel, Atila (2016). Heritage tourism destinations : preservation, communication and development. Wallingford, Oxfordshire: CABI. p. 252.
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  31. ^ Kristensen, Troels Myrup; Friese, Wiebke (2017). Excavating Pilgrimage: Archaeological Approaches to Sacred Travel and Movement in the Ancient World (1st ed.). Florence: Routledge. p. 32.
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  33. ^ Ousterhout, Robert (1 March 1989). "Rebuilding the Temple: Constantine Monomachus and the Holy Sepulchre". Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians. 48 (1): 66–78. doi:10.2307/990407. JSTOR 990407.
  34. ^ Rabbat, Nasser (1 January 1988). "The Meaning of the Umayyad Dome of the Rock". Muqarnas Online. 6 (1): 13. doi:10.1163/22118993-90000230. ISSN 0732-2992.
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  36. ^ Davis, George (1 October 2009). "Turkey's Engagement with Anzac Day, 1948–2000". War & Society. 28 (2): 133–134. doi:10.1179/072924709793054633. S2CID 161124711.
  37. ^ Timothy (2020). Cultural Heritage and Tourism: An Introduction (Vol. 7). p. 48.
  38. ^ Barker, Graeme; Pearson, Mike Parker (1999). Companion encyclopedia of archaeology. London: Routledge. p. 389. ISBN 9780203017593.
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  45. ^ Brokalaki, Zafeirenia; Patsiaouras, Georgios (26 January 2022). "Commodifying ancient cultural heritage: the market evolution of the Parthenon temple". Journal of Historical Research in Marketing. 14 (1): 18. doi:10.1108/JHRM-09-2020-0036. S2CID 237724569.
  • Darvill, Timothy (1987). Ancient Monuments in the Countryside: an archaeological management review. England: English Heritage.
  • Emerick, Keith (2014). Conserving and Managing Ancient Monuments: Heritage, Democracy and Inclusion. Woodbridge: Boydell & Brewer.
  • Light, Duncan; Dumbraveanu-Andone, Daniela (March 1997). "Heritage and national identity: Exploring the relationship in Romania". International Journal of Heritage Studies. 3 (1): 28–43. doi:10.1080/13527259708722185.
  • Timothy, Dallen J. (2020). Cultural Heritage and Tourism: An Introduction (Vol. 7). Bristol, UK: Channel View Publications.