Publications
Bagan Conservation Project: A Holistic Approach for the Repair and Seismic Retrofitting of Its Monuments
A comprehensive, research-driven approach to conserving the Bagan World Heritage Site has demonstrated significant potential for enhancing seismic resilience and sustainability in large-scale heritage conservation. The project, initiated after the 2016 Chauk earthquake damaged over four hundred structures, integrated structural engineering, materials research, and digital documentation to develop targeted repair and retrofitting strategies for Bagan's over 3,500 Buddhist monuments. Through advanced modeling, typology classification, and standardized damage assessment, the project established a robust knowledge base that can guide future interventions not only at Bagan but also at other historic sites worldwide facing similar challenges. This holistic methodology emphasizes collaboration between international institutions and local authorities, offering scalable solutions for preserving cultural landscapes while mitigating seismic risks.
Definition of Structural Typologies and Selection of Representative Buildings for Seismic Assessment in Bagan Archaeological Site
A comprehensive classification system for structural typologies of Bagan's archaeological site has been developed, focusing on plan symmetry and vertical continuity. This methodology enables the identification of representative buildings for seismic assessment, facilitating targeted recommendations for repair and retrofitting to mitigate seismic vulnerability. The study enhances the understanding of the site's monuments' seismic behavior through a weighted-point-based system, aiming to improve preservation efforts and protect Bagan's heritage against future seismic events.
Probabilistic seismic hazard analysis for Bagan (Myanmar)
A probabilistic seismic hazard analysis for Bagan, Myanmar, reveals significant underestimation of seismic risk in the region. The study, conducted post-2016 Chauk earthquake, found peak ground acceleration values ranging from 0.25 to 0.36 g for a return period of 2475 years, indicating higher hazard levels than previously estimated. Researchers developed two seismic source models and utilized state-of-the-art ground motion models to assess the seismic vulnerability of 43 temples, incorporating local soil information. The analysis, based on instrumental and historical earthquake records, underscores the need for updated hazard maps and site-specific uniform hazard spectra to mitigate risks to Bagan's historic structures.
Wider Bagan
A new paradigm emerges for understanding the cultural landscape of Bagan, challenging the long-standing concentric circle model of state formation. Research reveals a resilient rural cultural landscape in the Ayeyarwady River basin, persisting before and after Bagan's political heyday (11th–13th centuries). The study, based on extensive fieldwork and collaboration with local scholar-archaeologists, identifies overlooked physical attributes that define this landscape. These findings highlight a narrative of local resilience, adaptability, and diversity, contradicting the rigid hegemony observed from historical chronicles. The book 'Wider Bagan' also explores the ideational and material legacies of the kingdom, providing insights into how its successors related to their heritages.
Remote sensing-based deformation monitoring of pagodas at the Bagan cultural heritage site, Myanmar
A study employing high-resolution TerraSAR-X imagery identified millimetric-scale deformation hotspots and displacement anomalies in pagodas at the Bagan World Heritage site, linking them to land cover changes and seismic activity. By combining small baseline subset (SBAS) and persistent scatterer synthetic aperture radar interferometry (PSInSAR), researchers achieved precise monitoring across both landscape and monument scales—critical for heritage protection and sustainable development. This non-contact method offers a robust alternative where traditional field-based surveillance is limited, providing valuable insights into the structural stability of this culturally significant site.
Organic Matter and Pigments in the Wall Paintings of Me-Taw-Ya Temple in Bagan Valley, Myanmar
A study of the wall paintings at Me-Taw-Ya Temple in Bagan, Myanmar, reveals the use of proteinaceous glue and plant-derived gums as binders, confirming the a secco technique. Non-invasive and micro-invasive analytical methods identified pigments including Fe-based compounds, vermillion, carbon black, and As-compounds, providing insights into the materials used in 12th to 13th century murals. This research contributes to understanding the conservation of ancient wall paintings, particularly following the 2016 earthquake that damaged numerous historical structures in Bagan.
Merit-making at ancient Bagan, Myanmar
Recent studies on the collapse of ancient states often focus on environmental factors such as ecocide or climate change, but this research highlights the significant role of cultural elements, particularly religion and ritual, in understanding these transformations. Using Bagan, Myanmar's classical-period capital, as a case study, the authors demonstrate how Buddhist merit-making practices—ritually enacted donations to temples and monasteries—were deeply intertwined with ecological, economic, social, and political dynamics. These ideologically charged acts of giving played a crucial role in both the rise and fall of Bagan, revealing the complexities of state collapse that go beyond environmental explanations alone.
Built Heritage Documentation and Management: An Integrated Conservation Approach in Bagan
A multidisciplinary approach to heritage documentation has proven effective in assessing and managing the conservation of vulnerable UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as Bagan. The study demonstrates that integrating diverse documentation techniques—including both image-based and non-image-based methods—can provide a robust foundation for monitoring and retrofitting actions, particularly in regions prone to natural disasters like seismic events and flooding. By documenting four temples in Bagan, researchers tested the flexibility of their methodology, evaluating its strengths and limitations across different architectural designs. This work also emphasized capacity-building efforts, training local professionals and archaeologists in advanced digital documentation techniques, thereby enhancing technical knowledge and on-site expertise.
You are here:
World Heritage Explorer > World Heritage Research > World Heritage Sites > Bagan