CALCULATING VANDALISM RISK ASSESSMENT FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDINGS WITHIN HERITAGE BUILDINGS: THE CASE OF AL-ATTAR HISTORICAL MOSQUE IN TRIPOLI LEBANON

A heritage building is a genuine witness for the past and it mostly correlates with communities’ collective memory. It involves a considerable economical asset for cultural tourism in addition to other emotional values. However, building archeology is slightly exposed when handling historical buildings; it is subject to reburial to minimize potential risks and to keep it for future generations. The aim of this research is to explore the validity of exposing an archeological feature by establishing an estimation for vandalism risk through an assessment for society’s attitude concerning the new image given to a historic mosque with exposed archeological features. This research handles the ABC calculation method for vandalism risk assessment, and it concludes the risk magnitude by analyzing the social impact for the existence of an archeological feature within Al-Attar historic mosque in Tripoli by performing focus group research targeting persons in direct relation with the subject. The research will open doors for further studies basing on risk magnitude assumption, risk potential sources and different perspectives when handling archeological features; the findings will lead to significant implications for similar cases in Lebanon and in other global similar cases.