The Forerunners on Heritage Stones Investigation: Historical Synthesis and Evolution

Abstract

Human activity has required, since its origins, stones as raw material for carving, construction and rock art. The study, exploration, use and maintenance of building stones is a global phenomenon that has evolved from the first shelters, manufacture of lithic tools, to the construction of houses, infrastructures and monuments. Druids, philosophers, clergymen, quarrymen, master builders, naturalists, travelers, architects, archaeologists, physicists, chemists, curators, restorers, museologists, engineers and geologists, among other professionals, have worked with stones and they have produced the current knowledge in heritage stones. They are stones that have special significance in human culture. In this way, the connotation of heritage in stones has been acquired over the time. That is, the stones at the time of their historical use were simply stones used for a certain purpose. Therefore, the concept of heritage stone is broad, with cultural, historic, artistic, architectural, and scientific implications. A historical synthesis is presented of the main events that marked the use of stones from prehistory, through ancient history, medieval times, and to the modern period. In addition, the main authors who have written about stones are surveyed from Ancient Roman times to the middle of the twentieth century. Subtle properties of stones have been discovered and exploited by artists and artisans long before rigorous science took notice of them and explained them.

Historical Use of the Ashlar Limestone at Piatra Roșie Dacian Fortress; Interdisciplinary Approach in a World Heritage Site

“…The limestone used for the ashlar blocks at the Piatra Ros , ie fortified acropolis, but also at Sarmizegetusa Regia, Costes , ti-Cetăt , uie, Costes , ti-Blidaru and Bănit , a fortresses originates mainly from the ancient quarry at Măgura Călanului. The historical value assessment [41] made for this quarry and the analyze of its significance in human culture [42] have demonstrated this stone fulfills all the requirements for international designation as global heritage stone [43]: it have been extracted for almost 150 years, widely used in historical sites, World Heritage listed, deeply tied to the national identity [20], and presenting ongoing availability of material for quarrying, at least for restoration purposes [44].…”

Historical-graphical analysis and digital preservation of cultural heritage: case study of the baptismal font of the church of Santiago Apóstol in Montilla (Córdoba, Spain)

“…Humidity and thermal changes can cause damage and even fractures in the stone [65]. Pollution is another of the most harmful factors [68][69][70][71]. Biogenic organisms such as lichens, algae and moss, or blisters in the stone, can burst and fracture the stone, leading to detachments due to the loss of cohesion of its materials or to other types of cracks of diverse origin, among others.…”

Professional skills development: foundational curriculum skills and competencies of UK construction management programmes

“…Human ingenuity and technical prowess were needed to imagine and build increasingly complex and elaborate structures, but also interpersonal competence to inspire, motivate, persuade and lead "collective" construction teams to undertake such feats (Bowen, 2022). As structures became more intricate (requiring more specialist craft workers), a master builder who possessed prerequisite technical insight and interpersonal awareness, was needed to manage and oversee project development (Chiu, 2010;Freire-Lista, 2021). Culminating and emerging out of the post-war era, construction management programmes (CMP) carried forth this sentiment where concentrations in technical and interpersonal skills coalesced in a university setting (Haas et al, 2007).…”