Anastylosis

Anastylosis (from the Ancient Greek: αναστήλωσις, -εως; ανα, ana = "again", and στηλόω = "to erect (a stela or building)") is an archaeological term referring to the reconstruction of ruined architectural monuments from fallen or decayed fragments original to the monument but incorporating new materials when necessary.

Methodology
The intent of anastylosis is to rebuild, from the original materials, historical architectural monuments which have fallen into ruin. This is done by placing components back into their original positions. Where standing buildings are at risk of collapse, the method may entail the preparation of drawings and measurements, piece-by-piece disassembly, and careful reassembly, with new materials as required for structural integrity; occasionally this may include new foundations. When elements or parts are missing, modern materials (of restoration grade) may be substituted, such as plaster, cement, and synthetic resins.

The international Venice Charter of 1964 details criteria for anastylosis. First, the original condition of the structure must be confirmed scientifically. Second, the proper placement of each recovered component must be determined. Third, supplemental components must be limited to those necessary for stability (that is, substitute components may never lie at the top), and must be recognizable as replacement materials. New construction for the sake of filling in apparent lacunae are not allowed.

Criticism
Anastylosis has its detractors in the scientific community. In effect, the method poses several problems:


 * No matter how rigorous preparatory studies are, any errors of interpretation will result in errors, often undetectable or incorrigible, in reconstruction.
 * Damage to the original components is practically inevitable.
 * An element may be, or may have been reused in, or may have originated in, different buildings or monuments from different periods. To use it in one reconstruction obviates its use in others.

World Heritage Sites reconstructed through anastylosis

 * Acropolis (1902 Parthenon and Erechtheion)
 * Agrigento (Temple of Heracles)
 * Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis (Karnak Red Chapel)
 * Angkor (1930s Banteay Serai but NOT Ta Prohm)
 * Aquileia
 * Archaeological Site of Delphi Treasury of Athens
 * Bend of the Boyne Newgrange
 * Borobudur Borobodur (1907-11)
 * Chichen-Itza
 * My Son Sanctuary
 * Olympia Philippeion
 * Petra
 * Pyramids (Memphis) (Saqqara - Djoser funerary complex)
 * Stonehenge
 * Troy Troy (Odeion)
 * Um er-Rasas AB evaluation "The arches were reconstructed as full anastylosis"
 * Uxmal Ballcourt
 * Xochicalco