Evolución constructiva de Santa Eulalia de Bóveda (Lugo, Galicia)

Abstract

Este texto corresponde a los trabajos realizados en Bóveda desde tres puntos de vista: el análisis de su arquitectura, el análisis de su decoración y la búsqueda de unos métodos de datación absoluta; y pretende ser una reflexión sobre los resultados obtenidos, una apuesta de futuro y un llamamiento sobre la necesidad de trabajar de forma conjunta entre profesionales de distintos campos disciplinares.Palabras Clave: arquitectura tardorromana; arquitectura altomedieval; abovedamiento; pintura mural; decoración arquitectónica; luminiscencia; datación absoluta. AbstractThe monumental complex of Santa Eulalia de Bóveda (Lugo, Galicia) is one of the most emblematic, but also most problematic, architectural works of the building heritage of Lugo. Since it was discovered in 1926, many researchers have analysed this building from an architectonical, archaeological, artistic and even symbolic point of view, providing several different interpretations of it. However, there is still no consensus about its chronology, its utility or its constructive evolution. This paper focus on the works carried out in Bóveda from three points of view: the analysis of its architecture, of its decoration, and the search for methods for absolute dating. It intends also to reflect on the outcome, to propose a commitment for the future, and to point out the necessity for professionals from different researching fields to work together.

Chemical and mineralogical characterization of historic mortars from the Santa Eulalia de Bóveda temple, NW Spain

“…Considering the fact that previous studies have already characterized the binder/aggregate proportions (García de Miguel, 2007), and that conservation strategies is not our main purpose but rather a compositional study aiming at chronological considerations, only the bulk sample was used. Thirteen samples have been collected from the four first construction stages (García de Miguel, 2007;Blanco-Rotea, 2008;Blanco-Rotea et al, 2009), four from the first stage and three from the other ones (Table 1).…”

“…This knowledge may also be useful in restoration and treatment work regarding the materials employed in mortar preparation. consensus about its chronology, its utility or its constructive evolution, five constructive phases have been suggested by several authors based on the stratigraphical analysis of their walls and components (Blanco-Rotea, 2008;Blanco-Rotea et al, 2009;Vidal Caeiro, 2003. The oldest phase has been attributed to the Roman period and/or to late-medieval times.…”

An Interdisciplinary Study of Early Mediaeval Churches in North-Western Spain (Galicia)

“…The selected buildings were San Pedro de Pambre (Palas de Rei), San Estevo da Barcia, Santa Maria de Bermés, San Xoán de Palmou (the three in Lalín), San Martiño de Pazó (Allariz), San Xés de Francelos (Ribadavia), Santa Eufemia de Ambía (Baños de Molgas), Santo Tomé de Tordea (Castroverde), San Martiño de Armental (Sobrado), San Mamede dos Mártores (Valga), San Xulián de Pontecesures (Pontecesures) and the site of A Cidadela (Sobrado). Two further buildings were added and these had been previously analysed by the project team, such as Santa Eulalia de Bóveda (Lugo) [15] and the Basilica de Ascensión and its crypt (Allariz) [14]. In parallel to the stratigraphic analysis and prospecting, and once identified in the phases of the churches which appeared to be clearly early mediaeval, samples of mortars were taken to be dated using OSL (Optically Stimulated Luminescence) and/or radiocarbon ( 14 C) in a total of 21 churches, nine more than those selected for the reading because there were already previous archaeological studies on these: Santa Comba de Bande (Bande) (OSL and 14 C), Santa Comba de Louro (Valga) (OSL and 14 C), San Martiño de Pazó (Allariz) ( 14 C), San Xoán de Panxón (Nigrán) ( 14 C), the pre-Romanesque basilicas located under the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela ( 14 C), Santa Eufemia de Ambía (Baños de Molgas) (OSL and 14 C), San Xés de Francelos (Ribadavia) (OSL and 14 C), Adro Vello (O Grove) ( 14 C), Santa María de Mixós (Verín) (OSL), A Cidadela (Sobrado dos Monxes) (OSL and 14 C), San Martiño de Armental (Vilasantar) (OSL and 14 C), San Xoán de Palmou (Lalín) (OSL), San Martiño de Prado (Lalín) (OSL), San Adriao de Amiadoso (Allariz) (OSL), Santo Tomé de Castelo (O Incio) ( 14 C), San Breixo de Ouvigo (Os Blancos) ( 14 C), San Martiño de Mondoñedo (OSL), San Estevo da Barcia (A Estrada) ( 14 C), Santa María de Bermés (Lalín) ( 14 C), San Bartolomé de Rebordáns (Tui) ( 14 C) and the chapel of San Salvador de Samos (Samos) ( 14 C).…”

“…The ceramic material is basically tiles and bricks although occasionally you can also find some ceramic piping. Interestingly enough, bricks were hardly used during the early mediaeval period in Galicia [15,17,18], just like in South-Western Europe, including Southern England and Western France [27]; although they were widely used in Roman times and also the late medieval era. The causes of this fact are unknown, and there are certain exceptions such as Sta.…”

An Overview of the Use of Absolute Dating Techniques in Ancient Construction Materials

“…However, some problems can arise from the use of bricks for luminescence dating. The most frequent problems are three: (i) The exposure of bricks to high temperatures due to accidental fires occurred in the past can cause the "zeroing" of the luminescence signal and thus the underestimation of the real age; (ii) architectural modifications can distort the dose rate and subsequent age due to changes in the surrounding radioactivity received by the brick; and (iii) reused bricks will provide overestimated ages as the firing occurred some time before the reuse [5][6][7][8]. Luminescence dating can also be used in other ceramic materials such as tiles [9,10].…”