Towards a systematic approach to preserving historic buildings A case study for the maintenance and restoration of the Kaaba during the Islamic Era

The treatment of historical buildings represents challenges for those who are concerned with conservation. The difficulty lies in how to apply the treatment without destroying the old components and the original design of the building. The treatment processes take place by classifying the type and the value of the building, then the evaluation of the deterioration level determines the level of intervention. The Arabian Peninsula is characterized by the existence of many archaeological and historical sites that attract the attention of many local and international organizations concerned with the preservation of the urban heritage. The Holy Mosque and the Kaaba are considered one of the most prominent landmarks. The Kaaba is classified as a historical building according to Cullan’s classification for its high historical value, and its association with important events and characters. Moreover, it has a spiritual meaning and power over the Muslims as it is their Qibla towards which they pray to Allah. The study aims to measure the consistency of the level of intervention with the level of deterioration that took place on the Kaaba. In addition, it pinpoints the kind of treatment that took place on the Kaaba during the Islamic Era. The historical approach was used in collecting data. Analysis and re-evaluation were accomplished by following the modern approach in the conservation of historical buildings. The study concluded that most of the intervention and deterioration levels are consistent.