Northwest Heroon: July 2-6, 2006

The anastylosis team of the Northwest Heroon comprised of Ebru Torun, Piraye Hacigüzeller, four local workmen and two Cappadocian stone carvers, had to work with interruptions during the week because of cold and rainy weather conditions. Rainy and humid weather prevents epoxy applications and delays the placement of connecting building elements or reassembling fitting pieces.

Yet, several blocks of uppermost course of ashlars of the naiskos and of the tendril frieze above it were prepared for permanent installation. Three supplemental pieces were carved using the pantograph and fitted to the original blocks. One of these blocks is a crucial load-bearing element that carries the door lintel on the southern facade. Stone masons also leveled and smoothed five block faces.

All sides of the tendril frieze, architrave and frieze blocks were checked again for stitching and sealing, as well as for horizontal connections. Cracks of the cornice blocks were also investigated for necessary repairs towards the end of the week.

The horizontal and vertical leveling of the reconstructed part of the naiskos was also controlled. Despite the presence of highly eroded ashlars in several different courses of the building, the team was satisfied to see that there were almost no leveling errors. Insignificant problems in the most recently placed courses of ashlars could be fixed successfully.

During the following week, the project will continue carving missing parts of architrave and frieze blocks, as well as applying some final touches while repairing the door lintel of the naiskos.