drafting

I’ve been posed the question of why we’re spending so much time and effort on drafting the blocks instead of taking well-detailed photographs.

Although a picture may be worth a thousand words, we’re a little bit greedy and want more than that. By drafting the blocks we are forced to really exam them. We answer questions like: is this break intentional; does this side show anathyrosis (a term that describes the dressing of stone blocks at the joints which is often found in ancient Grecian and Roman architecture); what is the length of the maximum preserved surface? Now, you may ask “why not place a ruled square in the photo as a reference?” That’s just it; it really could only be a reference to us. It is not exact enough for our project. If one were to take the picture at the slightest angle, the measurement would be off. In this style of architecture, one can find the exact position of each block by examining the measurements, the moldings, and cuttings (like pry holes).

These blocks weigh a few tons and can only be moved with a crane. Although some of the blocks may be very rectangular/boxy (wall blocks; somewhat of a “large brick”), many significant pieces are not; pieces in the entablature, especially, have all sorts of moldings. To get an accurate description of the moldings and carvings it is best to draft the blocks.

The marble quarry that we went to is an active quarry that just opened up 3 months ago. However, we believe that this area was quarried in antiquity because of an unfinished sarcophagus lid that sits by the roadside alongside the quarry. We haven't found another quarry to take samples from, but I would really like to get at least one more.