habitat rupestre.pdf - Società Friulana di Archeologia

THE NATURE OF COLOURCRHIMA-CINP projectFig. 15 Interior of the cave in Bocairente. Alicante.Fig. 16-17-18 Process physical-chemical laboratory of the UPV.Cuevasanta cave as described by Cavanilles in his NaturalHistory. The colour of the cave, which comes from its naturalmaterial made up of black marble with white streaks which area product of its geology, it was used as a refuge and a shelterand still to this day receives pilgrims.The caves found in the south of the Valencia Community, suchas those located in Crevillente and Bocairente, are dug intorocks whose natural formation displays whitish tones whichare a product of its limestone. The caves at Crevillente aremade up of strongly cemented conglomerates, marl and arenaceouslimestone.The terrain displays repeated alternations of clays, red silt andconglomerates which serve as a roof for some of the caves.Using the data collected by Vicente Gozálvez, we can concludethat construction of these trogladite dwellings beganin approximately the third decade of the XVIII Centurywhich coincided with a marked increase in the population ofCrevillente. 1The 50 primitive caves at Bocairente, also dug out of therocky terrain, have open entrances which let in the light andallow views of the landscape of the Sierra de Mariola. Therehave been many theories about these caves over the years (ancientburial chambers, granaries, Visigoth monasteries) in theabscence of archeaological material, inscriptions or other informationthey are difficult to date. 2The remains of colouration in the caves of the Valencia Communityis still open to research and there is a possibility thatwe can carry out an in depth study to find the true characteristicsof these natural formations. Hopefully, in the near futureit will give us the opportunity to get a closer knowledge ofthe traces left by our ancestors before they are permanentlydestroyed by man.The study of colour implies a methodology linked to the recuperationof our architectural and cultural heritage. In this waywe make reference to the three significant phases involved inthe work of the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia researchgroup of the Institute for the Recuperation of Heritage. It isfirstly historical research into the architecture which makes upthe landscape of our cities. Secondly, it is a scientific, technicalstudy which is included in this presentation. This involvesa physical study of measurement by visual examination usingtechnological instruments with the basis of scientifically determiningthe colour of masonry.There is also a laboratory study, where materials and theiroriginal colour are analysed by way of the analysis of thechemical elements which make up the subject samples studied.Finally an exclusive colour chart is created which recordsthe complete range of original colours found in any studiedlocation or architecture.A new continuity exists but it is not attached to the city-terrainlogic which underlies the origin of our historical cities. Thislogic can be applied to any location and any period, it is universaland aseptic but it cannot guarantee the preservation ofthe original cultural values of these historic cities.If we combine an intelligent application of these new interventiontechniques with an in depth understanding of thechromatic logic and the materials which are integral to ourhistorical cities and their relation with history and the terrainthat surrounds them, the recuperation and ultimately survivalthe same is made possible. 3volumeRicerca_OK_2012-11-15.indd 82 16/11/2012 15:01:38