Architecture and decoration in context: a cross analysis of the ancient building site in five steps. The case study of the Severan Temple A in the Sanctuary of Apollo

the recent study of temple A in the sanctuary of Apollo provides an opportunity for revision of the methodological approach to the study of ancient architecture and decoration. Reconnecting the traditionally separate study of baudekoration and bauforschung, the paper adopts an integrated and contextual approach to ancient architectures and proposes a cross analysis of ancient building site in five steps. the first three, i.e. (i) the architectural reconstruction of the monument studied, (ii) the morphological analysis of its ornamenta and (iii) the recognition of the various craftsmen involved in the decoration process constitute the basis for further considerations, namely (iv) the identification of the sectors of work and (v) the contextual examination of the typology of ornamenta in relation to the work sectors and their location inside the architectural layout. the description of the results acquired in the study of temple A confirms the potential of this approach, which helps to reconstruct the building phases and to assess the composition of the workforce and the relationships between architect and craftsmen.