Pre and Post Temple Use
EKA 02 - 17 - 2010

During the tour we have visited many cities holding prominent pieces of architecture that were once very important to former civilizations. The group has toured and learned the history about such places like the Acropolis in Greece, the Pantheon in Rome and most resently Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Each example is unique in design which has helped it last through history as well as draw attention to it today. All these religious places started out as a sacred area for its original builders. But as time passes civilizations are overcome by others and changes occur. These three buildings have been able to survive for generations and through many different civilizations. Looking at the past it is interesting to see how the sustainability of resources have influenced history. These other religions/civilizations chose to reuse the buildings. By making this choice they saved labor, materials, and helped perserve history (though that was not an original intent). For the Acropolis and the Pantheon, Christianity took over and converted both of these buildings into churches or religious sites. The Christians were able to realize the magnificience of these buildings and instead of destroying they converted it. Often altering details and adding pictures of Mary, Jesus, or saints to the buildings. As for Angkor Wat the temple was later used by Hindus and just like the Pantheon and Acropolis many religious images were added to the temple. Later in history all these sites were abandoned at one point and eventually turned into museums. At each site the country has made it own choices on how to treat each building. Rome and Greece both have chosen to preserve the ruins and buildings that filter through there lands. At the Acropolis they have chosen to completely rebuild the temples. They replace some of the missing pieces with another material. In Angkor Wat 90% of the people chose to let the trees remain on the temples. They watch as the temple slowly falls apart, only certain areas are perserved. But which it better, letting it go back to the Earth or rebuild to sustain the knowledge and experience for other generations? Is either more sustainable than the other? With looking at the past and the present histories of these buildings it is amazing to see how the use and reuse of one building has impacted so many religions, civilizations, and individuals.

HTML Comment Box is loading comments...