Gaining knowledge of materials and chronologies of the ruins for the preservation of historical centers: the case study of Monteleone Rocca Doria in Sardinia (Italy)

Nowadays, the sustainable use of historical ruins is an important debate issue. In fact, even if precious records of the past, they are still misunderstood artefacts that in the most of the cases need a project of preservation in order to be retained into the future. In the past, several tendencies have characterised the planning attitude to these useless buildings, without considering them as possible historical benchmark able to date chronologically the minor architecture, through the knowledge of materials and traditional techniques. Starting by this consideration, the present essay shows as, by means of a multidisciplinary approach, the knowledge of ruins philologically dated can be a valid basis to understand the whole fabric and, consequently, to allow a compatible and sustainable project for its preservation and valorisation. Moreover, their awareness is a precious tool for dating and preserving those buildings that are not yet dated. This purpose is significant in the Sardinian context, where ruins are in lavish number, and where the matter is still more complicated than in other regions of Italy, in particular after years of complete neglect or inept studies. The ruins of the castle of Monteleone Rocca Doria, situated on the North-Southern Sardinia and dated back to 13th century, is an application of this methodology. The research study is focused on investigation of its masonries through a historical, architectural, technical and petrographic-chemical point of view, putting in evidence the executive peculiarities and defining chronological benchmark.