Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
anastylosis

anastylosis

9.9
Rebuilding a ruined monument using its original pieces and adding new parts only when needed
  • noun
  • /ˌænəˈstaɪləsɪs/
  • Specialized
: anastilosis
  • The restoration team used anastylosis to rebuild the ancient temple with its original stones.

Examples

  • Through anastylosis, the monument was reassembled, minimizing the use of new materials whenever possible.

  • Many archaeologists favor anastylosis for restoring historical sites.

  • Preserving historical authenticity, the archaeologists applied anastylosis techniques to the fallen columns of the ruins.

  • The anastylosis of the ancient temple was completed last year.

  • The restoration team used anastylosis to rebuild the ancient temple with its original stones.

  • Through anastylosis, the monument was reassembled, minimizing the use of new materials whenever possible.

  • Preserving historical authenticity, the archaeologists applied anastylosis techniques to the fallen columns of the ruins.

Synonyms

reconstruction
vsanastylosis
128 4.2

Building something again after it is damaged or destroyed

focuses on reassembling surviving fragments with minimal new additions
rebuilding
vsanastylosis
65 3.0

Making something again after it is damaged or destroyed

prioritises careful reuse of original fragments rather than full replacement
apocatastasis
vsanastylosis
9.9

A return of something to its former state after damage or long neglect

uses original fragments and adds new material only when necessary

Surface Forms

anastylosis singular
anastyloses plural

Morphology

anastylosis = ana + styl + osis

Although analyzable as 'ana-' + 'styl' + '-osis' from Greek elements, the term is a learned archaeological borrowing and its specialized meaning cannot be reliably inferred by average learners from the component parts.

Etymology

Anastylosis comes from Greek parts ana- meaning 'again' and stylos meaning 'column' or 'pillar', so it meant 'putting the columns back up'. That's why the word is used for the careful rebuilding of ruined monuments using their original pieces.