Description du projet
Lever le voile sur l’héritage des sculptures terracruda le long des routes de la soie
Il y a plus de 2 000 ans, en Asie centrale, des sculptures terracruda de grande taille ont servi de vecteur de transmission des connaissances le long des routes de la soie. Notre compréhension de leur création demeure toutefois limitée, ce qui pose des problèmes de préservation. Des sculptures comparables sont encore produites dans certaines régions de l’Himalaya et de l’Inde. Le projet TANTRiC, financé par le MSCA, se penchera sur l’importance culturelle de ces pratiques de sculpture traditionnelles et de la promotion de solutions de conservation durables. Le projet s’appuiera sur une approche pluridisciplinaire qui incorpore la recherche ethnographique, la science des matériaux et la conservation pour étudier l’artisanat impliqué dans la sculpture. Il étudiera également des sculptures archéologiques afin d’établir des comparaisons entre les matériaux anciens et contemporains; enfin, il effectuera des tests de simulation sur des mortiers à base d’argile à l’aide de méthodes traditionnelles pour évaluer leur comportement et leurs propriétés.
Objectif
It is in Central Asia, that more than 2,000 years ago, the art of making monumental terracruda sculptures become one of the most significant expressions of knowledge transfer along the Silk Roads. Despite the wide distribution of this art and its historic relevance, we still lack a scientific understanding of the manufacturing of these sculptures. Consequently, preservation remains a challenge. Recent studies have shown that monumental terracruda sculptures are still produced in some areas of Himalaya (Bhutan) and India (West Bengal) and, although the precise materials may vary, the technological pattern remains unchanged over time. This pattern is the result of a specific knowledge acquired and transmitted over centuries. TANTRiC will study and valorise this traditional knowledge to unveil the cultural significance of this unique artistic practice, as well as to inspire, through scientific criteria, innovative and sustainable solutions for the conservation of these sculptures. TANTRiC proposes an interdisciplinary methodological framework in the domain of heritage science combining: ethnographic research, materials science and conservation. The objectives are: 1) documenting the empirical knowledge of making these sculptures, 2) analysing samples of archaeological sculptures to compare ancient and contemporary materials and additives, 3) carrying out a battery of simulations-tests to analyse the behaviour and properties of the clay-based mortars, inspired by traditional “recipes”. The expected results will be: a) improving the understanding, significance and evolution of the artistic practice of making monumental terracruda sculptures; b) enhancing and valorising the traditional knowledge for making these sculptures; c) informing new evidence-based conservation treatments; d) demonstrating that exploring the traditional use of green materials represents an innovative solution for the design of more sustainable and responsible heritage conservation strategies.
Champ scientifique
Mots‑clés
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Main Programme
Régime de financement
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European FellowshipsCoordinateur
00185 Roma
Italie