Historical Defensive Architecture in Sothern Sardinia. Chrono-typological Classification of Masonries (12th-15th Century)

Abstract

The study presented is part of the research project "Traditional building techniques: from knowledge to conservation and performance improvement", carried out by the Restoration chair at the School of Architecture of Cagliari over the last decade. The purpose is studying the masonry techniques of historical defensive architectures in Sardinia for their knowledge, conservation, and promotion. The absence of studies aimed at dating both monumental and minor historical architectures in Sardinia led us to begin our research with the analysis of fortified medieval system in the south Sardinia (12th-15th cent.). This system was chosen because of its rather precarious condition, which greatly facilitates the analysis of masonry structures, both in elevation and in sections. Furthermore, defensive architectures are generally philologically dated and may therefore represent a benchmark for dating other architectures, particularly ‘minor’ structures, which are otherwise difficult to be placed chronologically. The research is based on a multidisciplinary approach that includes the representation of historical architecture, the architectural history, the stratigraphy of the masonries and analysis techniques. From a construction point of view, the dimensions and materials used are also being investigated, with particular attention to the mineralogical and petrographic characteristics of the components. Following the collection of data through archaeometric and other investigations, management of the data plays a key role in the definition of chronological classes for similar construction techniques.