After Dark: The Nocturnal Urban Landscape and Lightscape of Ancient Cities

After Dark explores the experience of nighttime within ancient urban settings, presenting material evidence related to how ancient people manipulated and confronted darkness and night in urban landscapes. It also examines night work and nightlife, and how urban architecture, infrastructure, and lighting were involved in enabling nighttime pursuits and signaling social status.

Format: Hardback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 08 August 2022
Publisher: University Press of Colorado

After Dark delves into the captivating realm of nighttime within ancient urban landscapes. Contributors present a wealth of material evidence, shedding light on how ancient people navigated and confronted the darkness and night in their urban environments. This insightful exploration advances our understanding of the archaeology of cities, the archaeology of darkness and night, and lychnology, the study of ancient lighting devices.

Sensory archaeology takes center stage, focusing on the sensory experience of the nocturnal environment. Contributors explore the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and tactile sensations that characterized ancient cities at night. They delve into the diverse stimuli experienced by different urban populations, including the sounds of bustling streets, the aroma of cooking fires, the taste of street food, and the feel of the cool breeze. By examining night work, such as standing guard or engaging in nocturnal trades, and nightlife, including activities like gambling at Chaco Canyon, contributors shed light on the diverse activities and experiences that unfolded between dusk and dawn.

It is evident that urban architecture, infrastructure, and lighting played a pivotal role in enabling nighttime pursuits and signaling social status. Contributors examine how urban design shaped the spatial layout of cities, facilitated movement and communication, and created distinct environments for different activities. They also explore how lighting technologies, such as candles, oil lamps, and lanterns, were employed to illuminate the streets, buildings, and public spaces, enhancing visibility and safety.

The subjects of night, darkness, and illumination taken together form a comprehensive framework for analyzing city life. After Dark embraces night as a conceptual lens through which to view the material and visual cultures of the ancient world. By doing so, it reveals a wealth of activities, behaviors, and beliefs that took place during the twilight hours. This perspective greatly enriches our understanding of urban life and its evolution, offering valuable insights to archaeologists in exploring complexity and inequality.

This volume appeals to scholars and students of the past who have a keen interest in urban activities and the significance of the night in urban settings. The contributions of the contributors provide a rich tapestry of information and perspectives, contributing to our collective understanding of the past. Whether one is an archaeologist, historian, or simply someone fascinated by the mysteries of ancient civilizations, After Dark offers a captivating journey into the world of nocturnal urban landscapes.

Weight: 528g
ISBN-13: 9781646422593