CEMETERY OF CONCEPCION DEL URUGUAY Study of constructive pathologies Proposals for its enhancement

2009

Cemeteries are heritage monuments. In fact, death constitutes an important matter for each individual’s social life; it is expressed by figuration and symbols, and according to religious beliefs, each culture develops forms and rituals closely related to each other. The anthropologists identify cultures by the treatment given to the corpses, in which many funereal artefacts and funerary outfits are involved. The high level of architecture formality of these monuments comes from the attention given to the material quality of the final residence, in which the memory is kept alive. Thus, each monument is very distinctive and the gravity given to the passage from life to death is a common feature, which explains the accuracy of the funeral gifts and symbols. Aiming to represent the city of the living on a transcendent level, together with the respect for the dead, cemeteries have always been related to hygienic matters too, with a neat division between the living city and the death one. Christianity used to bury inside or nearby churches, until the Illuminists imposed again burial sites outside the city walls, issuing new specific norms and standards, which are reflected in the urban drawing of modern settlements. All cemeteries represent the mutual identifying element of a society, and thus, all of them should be preserved as much as any other historical building. Their rehabilitation will also give great improvement to the urban environment. The main focus is on the structures functionality, including changes required to respect the new standards of work safety, which could contrast with the preservation of the building. The research work carried out in Parma and the Villetta cemetery itself, constitute a significant example on this matter. The Villetta (see box) is the largest burial site of the town, with several memorials, documenting the activity of the main local artists from the last two centuries. The general planning and the site choice date back to a debate of the previous century; the original drawings and essay are still available. The historic cemetery, actually requiring structural repairs and general rehabilitation, is like a condominium good, where private properties or rights, rented and perpetual allotments coexist: the Octagon contains more than 600 tombs and 400 family aedicules (see Carmen Nuzzo’s). Together with the chapels inside the two galleries and the monuments in the porch walls, there’s an overall of about 1.500 units, many of which are extremely valuable. Thus, the building may be considered a condominium, where public and private properties, rented and perpetual allotments coexist. Many interesting documents regarding the artefacts and the activities of local artists are still available in the archives. This documentation also deals with regulations, cessions and juridical state of the properties. The research project constitutes a specific type of survey plotting in urban scale architecture knowledge, becoming a useful example for any work of this kind. An enrichment of the existing work is possible, since GIS allows projections and editing future updates. The architectonic filing, supported by a quite exhaustive archive research, has been executed in 2005. Nowadays, after some years of study about different projects directly derived from that first one, it is possible to appreciate that experience for its relation with conservation policy, as first step to historical cemetery rehabilitaion. The compilation of this informative system in which have been collected all the information available about the monument, has had important effects on the successive governance projects about City Council cemeteries, beginning with management planning. In fact, this work improved in meaningful way the cognitive part before proceeding to the planning, especially related with the monuments protection, besides the ordinary management. The final goal of the filing job was to circumscribe the historic-monumental part of the biggest city cemetery and of all the other cemeteries of the City Council, before proceeding to the writing of a “Cemeteries planning” (called PCm), now required by law. The cataloguing has been therefore the starting point for a long term research that has already produced some effective issues, like the PCm (see Silvia Ombellini’s), and by now it is possible to foresee the next steps. These projects have also evidenced the possible economic incoming, with important profits for the conservation of the monument. The future connection to the registry office (cadastre) will moreover allow verify in a more effective way the presence of deceased of historical importance, which are part of the civic memory, and thus, it must be conserved as the monuments. This application regards also the development of a program for resources’ productive management. If cemeteries are the memorials of our civic heritage, the evidence of this experience is that knowledge is the first steps toward their conservation and rehabilitation. REFERENCES Ragon M., L’espace de la mort – Essai sur l’architecture, la decoration e l’urbanisme funéraires, Albin Michel, Paris, 1981 Colvin H., Architecture and the after-life, Yale University Press, New haven and London, 1991 A.A. V.V., Monumets de memoire, M.P.C.I.H., Paris, 1991 Bacino E., I Golfi del silenzio. Iconografie funerarie e cimiteri d’Italia, Firenze, 1991 Albisinni P., l disegno della memoria. Storia rilievo e analisi grafica dell’architettura funeraria del XIX secolo, Edizioni Kappa, Roma, 1995 Bertolaccini L., Città e cimiteri: dall’eredità medioevale alla codificazione ottocentesca, Edizioni Kappa, Roma, 2004 Mauro Felicori, a cura di, Gli spazi della memoria, Architettura dei cimiteri monumentali europei, Luca Sossella Editore, 2005

Journal of Global Initiatives, 2020

The purpose of this study was to document and define symbolic imagery found within the grounds of the Colon Cemetery in Havana, Cuba. Memorials erected to the dead use symbology to tell stories about the departed, giving us clues to the deceased’s values and philosophies, as well as their religion, ethnicity, social memberships, occupations, education, level of wealth, and thoughts on the afterlife (Keister, 2004). Using images of Colon Cemetery from a photographic documentary series, Havana: Behind the Facade, architectural and cemetery symbology was grouped into categories, researched for meaning, and sought for interpretations to reveal clues about Cuban culture and beliefs in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In general, these symbols revealed that this society believed in religious fervor, an afterlife, and a merciful God. This study serves to guide anyone who wants to interpret cemetery symbology. It opens the door to future studies on specific Cuban families and tombs. Most importantly, it visually preserves the symbology found on architecture and monuments within Colon Cemetery.

Studies in Digital Heritage, 2020

The Archaeology of Death, a line emerged within the processualist theoretical position, meant great advances in issues related to the study of the funeral ancient practices, mainly through anthropological studies. However, we do not always have deposits or primary contexts, usually we find the graves looted, pillaged or modified since ancient times. In this sense, this work intends to constitute a methodological example of approach to the knowledge of the funerary sphere of a society through the application of new technologies for those cases in which we do not have any type of information referred to both the biological subjects and the grave goods that accompanied them. The study case chosen is the necropolis of Cala Morell (Ciutadella), a set of several hypogea or artificial caves with different structural characteristics that seem to be framed in the middle of the first millennium BCE but whose exact chronology we cannot determine with accuracy due to the constant plundering and reuses to which the necropolis was exposed. The goals of our research try to determine if there are socioeconomic differences within the same necropolis, if we can talk about a certain structural pattern and if the results obtained can be extrapolated to the rest of the Menorcan necropolis. The technical methodology used in this research consists in developing a quality graphic documentation using photogrammetric models, the management of a database that includes the structural characteristics of each one of the funeral units treated and, finally, the statistical analysis to infer spatial or socioeconomic issues.

Bagh-e Nazar, 2019

Problem Statement: As everlasting places, cemeteries have the same history as the cities they are located. Historical cemeteries acts as collective memory of the society and represent the identity of their primitive participants. Although academic researchers and experts emphasis on different values lied in the burial landscapes and their important role in the society, there is no precise definition for the concept of historical cemeteries. This issue, added to other factors, like various attitudes of modernity facing the concept of life and death, destructive interventions and inappropriate urban legislations, rapid development of urban areas, modern vandalism and the passive approach of relative sciences like urban planning & management and conservation etc. caused historical cemeteries to face different perturbation. Aims: Emphasizing on the importance of historic cemeteries as a principal component of human settlements, the present study tries to give an appropriate answer to these questions: What is the definition of a Historic Cemetery? Which elements are important in the formation process of these historical sites? Research Method: Using hermeneutical approach to read the cemetery as a text, this research uses the Grounded Theory (GT) methodology (Open Coding, axial Coding & Selective Coding) to analyze the environmental data gathered from four case studies in Tehran (Ibn Babawayh, Emamzadeh Abdullah, Dulab Armenian Cemetery & Zahir-ol-Doleh). Conclusion: Iran historic cemeteries are formed by six main components (context, urban fabric, socio-cultural factors, history, physical ingredients and landscape) and can be classified in two categories (Internal & External Paradigm). A data-based theory shows that historical cemeteries are, in fact, cultural landscapes. By definition, these cemeteries consist of sets dating back more than 100 years and having a designated area. The obvious characteristic of such a landscape is a fundamental connection between its internal layers with the surrounding context that is a combination of natural and manufactured elements itself. Enriched by monuments, sculptures and abstract motives, these places have different religious, socio-cultural & monumental aspects and are respected by various groups of the society (local, township, regional & country). Iranian historical cemeteries express a fundamental relation between urban landscape, historical factors, human organization power and undeniable role of water and plants, enriching the existing fabrics through architectural and artistic concepts. Presence of symbols and mythical believes, as well as architectural monuments and historic events occurred in such places, bring a new essence into the burial fields that is both culturally and historically prosperous. By adding a ‘historical’ adjective to cemetery, this could be a subject of a specified discipline entitled ‘the Eco-historical environments’ that needs to provide an appropriate platform to guarantee the constant life of cemeteries as collective memorials of the cities.

2018

Monumental tombs are among the most important monuments of contemporary Iran; they have become the symbol of different cities over time and attracted the attention of the audiences with various tastes. This study tries to explain the architectural components that affect the durability of these buildings and answers these questions: What are the architectural components of the emergence of form in monumental tombs in contemporary Iran that have had the greatest impact on the durability of audience’s mind and does the construction of memorial of tombs based on ancient architectural components have a good result in the present eras? In this study, type of research is qualitative and the research tool is interview. These interviews were conducted based on the questions about eight monumental tombs of Society for the National Heritage of Iran; and cause in achieving a good result through qualitative content analysis. Many architectural components affecting the durability of these buildin...

International Journal of Heritage in the Digital Era, 2013

The study focuses on the use of 3D surveying and digital representation tools for the purpose of documenting archaeological monuments whose restoration involves the disassembly and repositioning of blocks. The case study in question is a building at the west end of the San Biagio archaic sanctuary, located within the archaeological site of Agrigento.

Full text available at: http://www.ejournals.eu/JGPS/Volume-7/Issue-1/art/9148/ Basing on own experiences in studying cemetery space, the possibilities of using LiDAR visualization in acquiring information on changes in the boundaries of Christian and Jewish necropolises were demonstrated on selected examples. The application of the methods indicated in the article comprises the significant supplementation of terrain inspection, considerably expanding knowledge about a given site. The use of digital elevation models has been popular since their introduction, especially in the archaeological community, as it allows for feature recognition without conducting invasive prospection, including excavation. As it has turned out, in the course of the research conducted by the author, the use of LiDAR tools should be an integral part of the geographical analysis. This highlights the need to promote interdisciplinary in the research on cultural heritage sites.

Historic building, either famous monuments or "minor" architecture of historic centers need to be investigated in order to carry out repair aimed to their preservation. Non destructive techniques should be applied on site and destructive investigation limited to minor sampling. A methodology for investigation is outlined describing advantages and limits of the different techniques. Need for guidelines in Codes and Standards are also stressed.

Based on the exhaustive survey of the tower belonging to the parochial church of Sinlabajos and on the analysis of the different consecutive layers of its different constructive phases, it has been possible to show a pathological history which determines a series of interventions and repairs throughout the centuries. These interventions have even involved some elements of the adjacent temple. The thorough study of the changes and repairs of the tower is made clear by the graphical differentiation of the materials employed, both in the original building and in the successive actuations, always leading to secure a building whose problems of stability keep on compromising its integrity nowadays. As well as the material analysis, the documentary research has permitted to corroborate some of the hypotheses of our work and has enabled us to understand the mechanisms of the urgency interventions over heritage, at least in which concerns to the last three centuries. It has been possible to determine the previously occurred facts just by means of observing the building, which we consider our material source of data.

Proceedings of the 2022 IMEKO TC4 International Conference on Metrology for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, 2023

The use of geophysical methods, have produced high-definition 3D models of one funerary monument in order to help the restoration work. Physical parameters such as seismic wave velocity propagation and electrical resistivity were optimal tools to store and manage scientific information about the degree of conservation of the studied monument. Conserve and preserve, also through the study and application of avant-garde technologies and methods in the field of restoration, means working not only for present generations, but also, and primarily, for future generations. New technologies and a multidisciplinary approach constitute a capital in which to invest in order to create a more responsible and aware society, capable of understanding how much of its future comes from growing up with respect for one's historical roots and own distinctive past.

Documents de la Mission Archéologique Suisse au Soudan, 2010

One of the unique characteristics of humans compared to animals is the practice of burial rites. Human beings have different types of burial rites to show respect and admiration to the great contribution of their ancestors when they were still alive. During the occupation of Spaniards, they introduced the church and cemetery Architecture to the Philippines which gave more centralized type of burial place. The introduction of Christianity in the Philippines provided a new interpretation of conception of the death: the salvation of soul, the immortal soul, and the belief of Christ resurrection from the dead.

the article describes the formation of the image of the building of the crematorium as an object combining not only the functions of infrastructure, but also buildings of worship. Existing examples of crematorium buildings, their stylistic and semantic justification are given.

Eurasian Journal of Forest Science, 2019

Cemeteries are areas which have been important to humanity since history began, with a place in every period of human life and sustained importance. As a result, they are currently planned in settlement areas or in areas close to cities. The study researched the landscape infrastructure and furnishings of two city cemeteries with an important place in the current structure of Çanakkale city. The landscape elements based on the planned and present structures were determined in these areas of "Çanakkale Municipality City Cemetery" and "New City Cemetery". For this, literature screening and data obtained from observations represent the basis of the study. Within the scope of the obtained data, it was identified that the main criteria for cemetery planning and design were not included sufficiently in construction of the two cemeteries. The main findings in relation to landscape infrastructure and furnishings are that main and side roads do not abide by standards; there is esthetic and functional insufficiency in terms of paving, car parks, distance between graves and planting; there is insufficient multifunctional space at the entrance for collection/distribution and rest; there is insufficient seating groups and boundary elements for shade and rest; and there are no sections for maintenance, security, WC, prayer rooms, florists, or open/enclosed mourning sections in buildings at the entrance. It was identified that Çanakkale Municipality City Cemetery requires 75 more fountains, while New City Cemetery requires 66 more fountains and the grave area per person is close to the recommended standard (6 m 2). Additionally, the New City Cemetery was calculated to have potential for 11,266 graves. In conclusion, in line with the obtained data, attempts are made to develop recommendations to solve problems in these study areas.