Multidisciplinary Researches in Cultural Heritage Studies: An Approach on Akkale Cistern in Erdemli, Mersin

Conservation, reinforcement and restoration of architectural heritage requires multidisciplinary approaches which should be organised in precise steps that are similar to those used in medical science. Architectural conservation decisions must rely on full understanding of the historical, material, structural, geological and environmental information related to the building and its setting. The aim of this paper is to discuss phases of a multidisciplinary approach applied to develop a conservation project for the ancient cistern building, located in Akkale archaeological site in Mersin (Turkey). Firstly, architectural description of the ancient cistern building in the light of current information revealed by archeological excavations is presented. Then, methods and technics conducted by each expert group are discussed explaining the main results obtained from each study. Finally, organization of multidisciplinary studies and results gained from each step are displayed through a flow chart diagram showing process of research and data from one phase to another to develop architectural conservation program

AKKALE CISTERN IN MERSIN-ERDEMLI: STATIC ANALYSIS AND RISK ASSESSMENT

The paper deals with the structural analysis of the ancient cistern located in archaeological site of Akkale in Erdemli (Mersin) in Turkey. The cistern, even though discovered many years ago, has been for longtime abandoned. Recent policy is oriented in reuse of the structure, as archaeological/monumental site, as well as to rehabilitate the architecture in order to preserve it. A team from University of Rome “Tor Vergata” and from University of Mersin, organized a surveying campaign for structural analysis and evaluations on existing conditions of the building, its material and structural risk assessments, since the site will be opened to visitors. Surveying activity of the geometry of the monument and limited analysis of samples collected on site provided basic and ineludible information to use in the subsequent numerical/geometric analysis. The Cistern is one of the biggest closed reservoirs of ancient Olbian region of Eastern Rough Cilicia from late Antiquity Period, realized partially buried in the soil, with a large roof supported by a double order of masonry arches. The analysis has been carried out performing standard simplified approach, but also comparing the results with more sophisticated Finite Element models. The results of the analysis are encouraging, and it seems that only limited works should be done in order to allow visiting people inside the structure. Further and periodical chemical analysis are suggested, in order to monitor the state of the material and the possible decay