The Palimpsest of the House - Re-assessing Roman, Late Antique, Byzantine, and Early Islamic Living Patterns

An interdisciplinary reassessment of a vital and understudied field, focusing on the material remains of houses and textual evidence for private living in Roman, Late Antique, Byzantine, and Early Islamic periods. The volume aims to contribute to housing studies by using a broad diachronic and transcultural approach, addressing the developments, continuities, changes, and exchanges in private housing across the Mediterranean. It prioritizes a focus on the architectural remains of urban, suburban, and rural upper-class houses, allowing for a study of different building and occupation layers as "palimpsests." The volume reflects on transitional periods and the impact of historical events, investigating patterns of networks, encounters, and exchanges.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 292 pages
Publication date: 13 September 2022
Publisher: Koc University Press

An in-depth exploration of a crucial and relatively overlooked field, encompassing a multidisciplinary reassessment. The preservation of material remnants of houses and textual evidence pertaining to private living holds immense importance in unraveling the architectural and decorative features of ancient dwellings, as well as the utilization of private spaces. As multifunctional structures, ancient houses serve as invaluable sources for gaining insights into the social, economic, political, and religious dynamics of past societies. Regrettably, despite their immense value in understanding our ancient past, this field remains largely underappreciated and in need of further exploration.

This volume aims to make a valuable contribution to the study of housing by adopting a broad diachronic and transcultural perspective, encompassing the Roman, Late Antique, Byzantine, and Early Islamic periods. The contributions in this volume are based on papers presented at the 8th International ANAMED Annual Symposium, titled "The Palimpsest of the House: Re-Assessing Roman, Late Antique, Byzantine, Early Islamic Living Patterns" (Koç University Research Center for Anatolian Civilizations in Istanbul, 2013).

The primary focus of this volume is on examining the developments, continuities, changes, and exchanges in private housing across the Mediterranean during these historical periods. Special attention is given to ancient Constantinople, the venue of the symposium, as it provides a rich tapestry of insights into the private dwelling experiences of the time.

Each contribution in this volume presents the latest results and interpretations derived from field and research projects, as well as fresh perspectives on literary and epigraphical evidence. By adopting a diachronic and interregional approach, the volume prioritizes a focus on the architectural remains of urban, suburban, and rural upper-class houses, which, due to their prolonged occupation spanning several centuries, offer a unique opportunity to trace the evolution of building techniques and styles.

Through this comprehensive exploration, the volume seeks to shed light on the multifaceted nature of ancient housing, encompassing not only the physical structures but also the social, cultural, and economic contexts in which they existed. By delving into the details of architectural remains, textual evidence, and historical narratives, this volume aims to provide a deeper understanding of the complex tapestry of human habitation and its enduring impact on our collective heritage.

Weight: 706g
Dimension: 251 x 195 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9786057685841