مقدمة في حفظ المواقع والمدن التاريخية

Study Notes

Preservation of cultural heritage is vital for all nations, representing a significant artistic and cultural treasure.
This treasure has been, and still is, threatened by loss, destruction, and exploitation.
However, modern societies acknowledge the importance of these sites, establishing institutions for their protection and restoration.
This has led to the development of specialized fields and studies in cultural heritage, including research, technical, and artistic work.

Modern urban planning often disrupts the historical fabric of ancient cities.
The scarcity of appropriate functions and uses for historic buildings results in their neglect and potential demolition.
The high cost of land and the expansion of modern developments often lead to the elimination of historical neighborhoods.
Insufficient regulations and enforcement mechanisms often permit the demolition of historical areas.
Natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and fires, as well as conflicts, are serious threats to historical sites.

Cultural sites are evidence of human history and evolution.
They hold collective memory, not just individual or family history.
A site must hold significant cultural or artistic importance to be considered a cultural heritage site.
Cultural sites range from prehistoric eras to contemporary periods.
Similar to human history, a parallel and preceding history is nature's. Thus, nature sites, like caves, old trees, and areas rich in natural beauty, are also considered.

Cultural heritage sites are categorized into tangible (movable and immovable) and intangible properties.
Immovable sites include artifacts embedded in the ground, such as cave systems and rock art. These also include the ruins of ancient settlements and structures concealed within mounds/hills.
Movable sites are independent of the physical location and can be moved, such as sculptures, paintings, coins, inscriptions, manuscripts, textiles, and artifacts.

Fixed sites:
- Sites connected to the earth: include those hidden below the earth, such as caves and rock carvings, as well as ruins and buried settlements.
- Historical buildings: encompass structures built for various purposes, along with their associated features like doors, windows, columns, balconies, stairs, and roofing elements.
Mobile sites: objects originating independently from the earth or historical buildings. These include sculptures, paintings, coins, inscriptions, manuscripts, textiles and artifacts, regardless of their material or purpose.
- Items associated with historical sites: These are mobile elements that are linked to a specific building, like furniture within a historical building, reflecting its past use (e.g., mosque—minaret; church—altarpiece; palace—furniture).

A structure must be man-made to qualify as a historical site (not natural).
Natural sites can become historical if significantly altered by humans to reflect their culture.
The site must belong to a specific historical period, conveying significant cultural and artistic values.
Its preservation must be of public importance to the community.

Historical value: sites associated with specific historical periods, events, or individuals.
Artistic and aesthetic value: sites with artistic or architectonic merit.
Scientific value: sites contributing to scientific research, particularly regarding prehistoric eras or human development.
Technological value: sites that offer evidence of technical advancements, like ancient mills or transportation systems, or distinctive construction methods (e.g., domes, metalwork).
Urban/architectural (or spatial) value: sites significant within a larger urban context, uniquely situated landmark, or exemplary/innovative urban planning, either large-scale or small-scale.
Social/community value: This includes structures linked to a national movement, a prominent community leader, or simple and representative rural life.

Memorials: structures built to commemorate historical figures, events, or achievements.
Residential buildings: palaces, urban homes, and rural residences.
Religious structures: temples, churches, mosques, monasteries.
Defensive structures: fortifications, city walls, castles, barracks.
Public buildings: administrative structures such as government offices, courthouses, and police facilities.
Community service facilities: schools, hospitals, religious schools (and other educational facilities), markets, inns, baths, and transportation hubs (stations, post offices).
Technological structures: roads, bridges, water channels, dams, aqueducts, windmills, factories, and other industrial facilities and their components.
Gardens and plazas: designed spaces with architectural features like walls, staircases, statues, fountains, ponds/water channels.
Funerary sites: tombs, mausoleums, cemeteries.

Specialists within governmental bodies determine the archaeological value.
In Syria, the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums of the Ministry of Culture is responsible, with branches in different governorate centers.
Their role involves surveying, documenting, and listing historical sites and structures based on their assessment of their value and significance, thus safeguarding their heritage.