The Archaeology of Architecture

Usually, when we think of archeology, images of ancient structures come to mind, of which only the foundations and plinths are preserved, always with a high degree of deterioration. It is true that they are the most common elements, although there are some cases in which practically intact cities or houses have been preserved for different reasons, such as Pompeii or Herculaneum, buried by the lava of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

But other times the preservation of structures is possible thanks to an uninterrupted continuity in their use. These cases are very interesting, since buildings undergo a series of renovations that, over time, end up “masking” their main structure through whiteboards, paints, partitions or floor coverings, among other elements. This does not prevent us, being aware of the process, from being able to recover to a large extent the original state of the construction.

Architectural Archaeology contributes significantly to this, a discipline founded in the early 90s in Italy that seeks to apply the stratigraphic principles of archeology to raised walls, thus complementing the stylistic analyses on which Art History is based.

Thanks to this discipline, we can create an evolutionary scheme of any construction based on a detailed study of the different rigs, mortars, foundations, materials, windows, doors, blinds... or any other feature that shows a different construction moment. In a final phase, the joint analysis of all these moments can offer a solid historical interpretation of any historic building, which will be even more rigorous if accompanied by other sources such as written texts or archeometric analyses.

One of the most important cases of application of Architectural Archaeology is the synagogue recently discovered in Utrera (Seville), in a building known as Lost Child. The synagogue dates back to the ss. XIV-XV. Later, after the expulsion of the Sephardic Jews in 1492, the synagogue became the Hospital de la Misericordia, undergoing various reforms over the following centuries. Recently, the space has also served as a restaurant and nightclub. Archaeological works, which include analysis through the Archaeology of Architecture, have included all these uses of space. This is the fifth documented synagogue in Spain, after the two in Toledo, the one in Segovia and the one in Córdoba.

It was recently documented in Antequera (Málaga), in the Cortijo de las Mezquitas -a very suggestive place name in itself-, the most important rural mosque in the Iberian Peninsula, dating back to the Emiral era (9th century). The site consists of the mosque itself, with a square plan, its patio, and a perimeter wall. Although the complex was later transformed into an agricultural farmhouse, walls of more than 4 meters and several horseshoe arches still remain.

For its part, actions are currently being carried out in Jaén that seek to recover the Church of San Miguel, a building that dates back to the 15th century but was fully developed in the 16th century, which explains its Renaissance style accompanied by some characteristics of the final Gothic. This building was closed in 1874, when it was sold and began to be segregated and converted into houses based on the original structure of the temple. The recovery project, whose central engine is Archaeology of Architecture, is bringing to light the original remains of the church, “undressing” it from the large number of recent additions that make it difficult to understand the whole.

These three examples, which also represent the imprint left in our country by each of the three main monotheistic religions, show how Architectural Archaeology helps to recover buildings that were once of great importance but which, over the years and sociocultural changes, were becoming increasingly forgotten. The recovery of these assets rescues an important part of the history of their peoples, being able to house new uses and, in any case, serving as a powerful tourist resource.

Juan Antonio Moral, Archaeology