Photo credit: Channel Five News / youtube.com
Russian scientists have completed a study of the St. Helena Temple in Aleppo, TASS reports. One of the most ancient early Christian shrines was seriously damaged during the armed conflict.
Specialists of the Institute of History and Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences made a scientific description of the historical object and all the necessary photographs. These materials will be used to create a 3D model of the temple, which will be used for restoration work.
The temple dates back to the 5th century, it belongs to the Roman era. The building was in critical condition after being hit by a bomb. However, Russian experts are sure that the condition of the temple allows it to be restored. Even 1,5-million years wooden elements survived.
Earlier, Russian archaeologists joined their Syrian counterparts in a project aimed at preserving early Christian churches. Scientists from both countries are studying the state of the early Christian monuments located in the country.
Archaeologists from Russia and Syria plan to record the damage that was caused to historical monuments during the hostilities. Researchers have already studied the church of the 5th-6th centuries, which is located in the village of Deir al-Salib in the province of Hama, as well as the Basilica of Qasr ibn Vardan, also known as the Temple of the Four Elements. The expedition found damage to three early Christian temples. Now their preservation depends on the timely restoration.
The study of the temple is going to last two years. During this time, about a dozen temples will be studied. Members of the expeditions will take pictures of them and film them, create orthophotomaps and 3D models.
Russkiy Mir
