Esordi e diffusione dell'anastilosi nel sud-est asiatico
In: Quaderni dell'Istituto di Storia dell'Architettura: n.s. 2019, 2020
DOI: 10.48255/1191
Onset and spread of the anastylosis in Southeast Asia
After the work of Balanos (1902-1933) for the Paerthenon’s reconstruction, the first experimentation of
this methodology in Southeast Asia was carried out by Theo van Erp at Borobudur and Prambanan in
Java. This paper provides an overview of the beginning and the spread of the anastylosis methodology for
the restoration of the monuments of Southeast Asia. J.A. Mooyen illustrated it, describing the activities of
Oudheikundige Dienst in Indonesia during the Athens Conference in 1931. Here the applications of this
methodology in Cambodia are described: starting from the work carried out by Marchal on the Temple of
Banteay Srei (1932) and continuing with the restoration works, on the Bantay Samrè Temple, faithfully
described by Glaize in his essay (Hanoi, 1942). The culmination of dexterity will be realized with the
restoration of the central sanctuary of Neak Pean and, above all, of the stepped pyramid of Bakong, begun
in 1936. The architect, at the end of his essay, will declare that anastylosis is not a formula or a recipe but
rather a methodology.