Masonry Design | 65
Our first stop is at ancient Myra (modern day
Demre) which is southwest of Antalya. The Roman
amphitheater (Fig 22) is the largest in the
region. It was partially filled in by flooding and environmental
effects but has been excavated and
conserved. Archeologists have determined that
an earthquake and tsunami in 141 AD destroyed
much of the limestone and marble theater, but
was shortly after rebuilt.
Ancient Perge (modern day Perga, northeast of
Antalya) predates Alexander the Great and has
the ruins of a Greek and Roman city with temple,
baths, amphitheater and more (Fig 23). The main
gate structure is being stabilized by a steel frame.
External structures like the one shown are unusual
in Turkey due to cost and the large number of
historic structures that are in need. The columns
of the market area (Fig 24) have all been reset as
part of the restoration.
Fig 25 shows a portion of the Roman bath with
the floor missing. The blow floor supporting
arches and piers are still intact below the floor
level. The below floor area would have contained
heated water which warmed the arches and
piers. The temperature of the bath area above
was then heated by the thermal mass of the
masonry below. So thousands of years ago, the
Romans clearly understood the benefits of masonry
and thermal mass.
25.
The arches at this site are amazing. Fig 26 shows
how little masonry is needed for an arch to stay
intact. It is likely to be destroyed during another
earthquake. Fig 27 shows some excellent examples
of intact arches. The stone work was set in
mud mortar which has mostly eroded over time.
Fig 28 shows a theater that hosted sporting
events. The sloped seating is built over vaults
(Fig 29 is the rear of the seats in Fig 28) that
were used for stabling houses.
22.
23.
24. 26.
27.