Publications
Ancient white and grey marbles from Aphrodisias: multi‐method characterization
A comprehensive archaeometric analysis of white and grey marbles from Aphrodisias, Turkey, reveals that distinguishing these marbles from other ancient types—such as Paros-Lakkoi or Prokonnesos—remains challenging despite the use of multiple analytical methods. The study, which examined a broad range of samples, found no reliable provenance indicators except for grey marbles from specific sectors (AF3 and AF9), characterized by depleted δ13C values below +0.5‰. This suggests that verifying the international use of Aphrodisian marbles is difficult due to their petrographic and geochemical similarities with other marbles. Additionally, topographical measurements were employed to estimate the volume of extracted material, providing new insights into ancient quarrying practices.
3D Night Illumination of Aphrodisias Open-Air Museum with LED Technology
A groundbreaking approach to illuminating UNESCO World Heritage Sites, specifically the Aphrodisias Open-Air Museum in Turkey, demonstrates how LED technology can enhance visual aesthetics while ensuring energy efficiency and preserving artifact integrity. The study successfully achieves these goals through 3D simulation and experimental analysis, identifying optimal light sources based on performance parameters such as Correlated Color Temperature (CCT), Color Rendering Index (CRI), and luminous efficacy tailored to the location and texture of artifacts. This method not only prevents visual discomfort but also promotes modern, sustainable lighting solutions for open-air museums in Turkey, facilitating safe nighttime visits while minimizing energy loss.
Reading Visual Cues on the So-called Archive Wall at Aphrodisias: A Cognitive Approach to Monumental Documents
Monumental documents, such as the epigraphic dossier at Aphrodisias, are perceived and read differently from standard texts due to their context, visual cues, and formulae. This study reveals that the 'Archive Wall' at Aphrodisias, likely a monument of self-promotion, attracted attention through its physical context and visual design, which influenced how it was experienced by viewers. By applying cognitive scholarship on reading processes, the research examines how these elements shaped perception, offering insights into why such documents were significant in monumental contexts.
The design of the “archive wall” at Aphrodisias
Aphrodisias' 'archive wall,' traditionally thought to be chronologically ordered, is revealed through this study to have been designed centripetally, prioritizing documents of honorific significance over chronological sequence. The research identifies two distinct epigraphic phases: the original phase, likely dating from 224 CE and comprising inscriptions above the orthostate course, and a later phase from 243 CE or slightly after, extending the inscriptions to the orthostate course. Additionally, it suggests that document 4, the earliest in the dossier, may be a letter by Cornelius Sulla. This study challenges conventional assumptions about the wall's design, emphasizing the importance of rhetorical content and concrete privileges over chronology.
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