A scientific approach, involving the use of computer graphics, to reconstruct the potential original architectural unity of archaeological remains

A precise survey, the consequent drawing and the comparison with textual and iconographical sources are the main stages for a methodological approach to knowledge and interpretation of ancient buildings. When few traces of these buildings remain, a survey could be the only way to give form to the original architectural unity, integrating survey drawings with lost parts. These procedures are known as graphic or ideal reconstructions and they are necessary in investigating ancient monuments. The methodology starts from direct building analysis, then it continues with philological and comparative studies, and it ends with the representation of the architecture in its original form. In this way, surveys and drawings not only offer a possible key for reading architecture but they become experimentation and verification tools of the assumptions made at beginning of study. Research goes beyond the limits set by the ruin itself and looks for the most correct explanations to define the original morphology and typology. Therefore, if it is the result of a choice subject to severe examinations, the ideal reconstruction, as formal synthesis model, could contribute to further developments of specific deeper research. Graphic reconstruction is useful to demonstrate a proposition, and it synthesizes and communicates all the gathered informations and the investigations results at a glance. As a matter of fact, by graphic reconstruction, portions that are supposed to be lost are quickly "pre-figured". Firstly the survey, then the ideal reconstruction are similar to a coherent and easily interpretable tale, by which, the past building comes from is set in strictly relationship with its present. The trend to realize more and more realistic computer graphic reconstructions tries to cancel the time dimension, that separates us from the past, to get a physical more than perceptive experience, to project toward the future also. But in this way, it is not considered that a reality is proposed, existing in the scholar mind only, because, even if it is based on a rigorous anamnesis, it could never cancel cultural and time distance from the past. Because of this, the achieved results cannot be judged as definitive, but always susceptible of updating and knowledge widening as research proceeds. In the last years, it has been turned to the computer graphic particularly for advertising aims and at enrichment of written text. In these cases, the geometric precision is not more important than the imagine figurative value, which remains fixed in the memory, so assuming its own iconographic autonomy. The computer graphics helps not expert in the matter people to approach to themes which could otherwise remain incomprehensible through the traditional representation by the technical language. However, it should not leave out of consideration the methodological severity which is the fundamental tool of knowledge in the scientific field, besides the popular work. If the reconstructive model is based on such a methodologically sound scientific study and is the result of choices which have undergone meticulous assessment, the proposals for optimum reconstruction may be considered a valid formal model and can contribute toward further research. Reconstruction proposals which followed these parameters were adopted for several Apulian monuments, such as the Calidarium 61 in the Herdonia thermae, the medieval cloisters in the San Benedetto complex in Bari. In this paper I have highlighted the achievements of research carried out on two buildings located in Apulia and characterized by different problems due to their age and state of conservation, the Augustan era judicial Basilica in the city of Herdonia and the medieval casale of Balsignano in the city of Bari.