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Conservation and restoration of the Late Classical circular artillery tower of the closed harbour of ancient Phalasarna with consideration of its anastylosis

Goula Dimitra

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Summary

The circular tower, which guarded the entrance of the closed harbour of ancient Phalasarna in western Crete, dates from the third quarter of the 4th century BC. The tower was unearthed in July 1986 and consists part of an important ancient city and its closed harbour, which has been systematically excavated by Dr. Elpida Hadjidaki during the last 35 years. Today, the tower is found approximately 100 m away from the shore, due to the Early Byzantine Tectonic Paroxysm (365 AD). The research aims to approach the principles according to which will be set a well-defined framework within which is going to be formed a strategic plan of operations for the restoration of the standing part of the monument, taking into consideration the anastylosis of its fallen parts. For the needs of the documentation a three dimensional model of the tower was created. Through the study of the tower’s fallen blocks are made proposals concerning the form of the upper, unpreserved parts of the tower and its artillery power. Moreover, the tower’s particular morphology and its rare architectural type are discussed. For the purposes of the research are included unpublished photographs of the excavation of the tower during 1986-1988 by courtesy of Dr. Hadjidaki. Thorough study of the tower and analysis of its present state of preservation led to the formulation of the values of the monument and of the principles and aims of the restoration operations. As a result, specific restoration operations are proposed concerning the monument’s conservation, anastylosis and enhancement.

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