Cartography of materiality – 3D Recreation
This 3D virtualization is the result of the interpretation of the archaeological remains of the VIIth century Monastery of Santa Cecilia de Els Altimiris and the comparison with other material contexts, as well as the use of written and iconographic sources.
In the first place we find a stone masonry church covered with white lime mortar. The pavement of the nave and the choir were made of stone slabs. The roof was made of gabled wood and shale stone slabs (figure 3). This roof rested on the north and south walls of the nave, but also on the dividing wall between the nave and the choir. This dividing wall had the function of unloading part of the weight of the roof. Between the nave and the choir we had two stone steps, marking a level change between the lower nave space and the higher choir space. At the door there would be some curtains that hid the Christian ritual, performed at the altar, from people who could not access the sacred space (figure 1). To shape the curtains, we have been inspired by the Beatus de Girona (985). The material would be wool or hemp, although we do not rule out linen. These curtains could be tied on themselves or with some rope, as we present in figure 1. Inside the choir, there was a paving of stone slabs and a continuous bench in the southern corner. This would have the function of a seat for people of high status who could access this space. This bench could also be used to support objects related to the church or the liturgy.
From the choir, the altar (figure 1), paved with lime mortar, could be accessed by two more steps. Up here was the square base of the altar, documented during excavations, on which there would be a rectangular tenant. Above the tenant was a shale stone altar.
The objects that we present in the 3D virtualization that furnish this space have not been archaeologically documented but are an interpretation of part of the furniture that would be used to celebrate the liturgy. These objects consist of a gold plated cross hung by ropes above the altar, a Werner B3 type jug, and a Byzantine patera (figures 2, 4 and 5).
The lighting of the church would be carried out by means of glass containers suspended on ropes from the ceiling, with a wick and oil inside.
This virtualization is a current proposal made from LAMUB that will be reviewed periodically based on providing new data.
Figure 1. Image of the access to the altar from the nave.
Figure 2. Image of the altar seen in height and perspective.
Figure 3. Detail of church roof with hanging glass lanterns.
Figure 4. Detail of the virtualization of the altar with a patera, a liturgical jar and a gold hanging cross.
Figure 5. Detail of the virtualization of the altar with a patera and a liturgical jug.