Building between the two rivers : an introduction to the building archaeology of ancient Mesopotamia / Stefano Anastasio ; with an appendix by Piero Gilento.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Anastasio, Stefano, author.

Contributor:

Gilento, Piero, writer of supplementary textual material.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Excavations (Archaeology)--Iraq.

Excavations (Archaeology).

Architecture, Ancient.

Iraq.

Archaeology--Methodology.

Archaeology.

Iraq--Antiquities.

Antiquities.

Architecture, Ancient--Iraq.

Physical Description:

220 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm

Place of Publication:

Summertown, Oxford : Archaeopress, [2020]

Summary:

Building between the Two Rivers aims to supply university students and scholars of Near Eastern archaeology with an introduction to the'Building archaeology' methods as applied to the context of Ancient Mesopotamia. It helps the reader understand the principles underlying the discipline, which deals with the registration and analysis of all building materials and techniques involved in the assembly and erection of a construction, and to outline what knowledge and skills are needed, beyond those that are specific to archaeologists. Due to the introductory nature of the book, contents are organised in didactic chapters, trying to cover all the main topics and displaying them by means of selected examples. Particular attention is given to the methods of the 'stratigraphic reading', which are discussed in a dedicated appendix authored by Piero Gilento. A thematic bibliography and a technical glossary complete the book, helping readers enhance their understanding of the subject -- page 4 of cover.

Contents:

Building archaeology: goals and methods p. 1

Building archaeology p. 1

The building survey and stratigraphy p. 2

Direct and indirect sources p. 3

The Mesopotamian context p. 10

Land use and water management p. 10

Urbanisation and city planning p. 11

Ancient cartography, topography and surveying p. 13

Commissioners, designers and builders p. 16

Ancient building crafts and technology p. 20

Building materials p. 25

Building materials: general characteristics p. 25

Earth architecture p. 26

Stone p. 34

Mortar p. 38

Bitumen p. 40

Wood and reeds p. 41

Metals p. 44

Claddings and decorations p. 45

Architectural elements p. 59

Load-bearihg structural systems: general features p. 59

Arches, vaults and domes p. 67

Pillars and columns p. 72

Openings p. 76

Staircases p. 79

Domestic and urban structures for water management p. 81

Pavements, ceilings and roofs p. 85

Building types p. 90

Form and function: some interpretation issues p. 90

Ziggurats and temples p. 93

Palaces p. 97

Fortifications p. 103

Houses, storage- and workplaces p. 106

Roads, streets, bridges p. 113

Infrastructures for the water management p. 114

Gardens and orchards p. 118

Portable shelters p. 120

Funerary buildings p. 121

Appendix: the methods of building archaeology p. 124 / Piero Gilento

What is and what does 'building archaeology' deal with? p. 124

Architectural stratigraphy p. 125

What is a Stratigraphie Building Unit (SBU)? p. 127

What stratigraphie relationships exist between the SBUs? p. 128

Typology and chronotypology In building archaeology p. 129

How to work p. 134

Thematic bibliography p. 145

The Mesopotamian context p. 146

Building materials p. 147

Architectural elements p. 149

Building types p. 150.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1789696038

9781789696035

OCLC:

1162392788