”We have the pleasure of announcing the next session in the Ancient and Medieval Middle East (AMME) seminar’s autumn programme, titled ‘Approaches to Architecture’.The session is organised as a hybrid event in Helsinki and on Zoom, on Thursday 21 November (16:15–18:00 EET/Helsinki time).
As per usual, the AMME seminar is built on two presentations, followed by a shared window for questions for the speakers and discussion on the November specific theme. We extend this invitation to all of you to join us.
The speakers and topics for the November session are as follows:
Dr. Melis Uzdurum (online)
‘How can we combine micro- and macro studies to understand earthen architecture in the past?’
Aşıklı Höyük (8400–7300 cal BCE), located on the Central Anatolian Plateau in Turkey, represents an early Neolithic settlement occupied continuously for a millennium, providing some of the earliest examples of mudbrick architecture. This study employs an integrated macro- and micro-analytical framework to examine the chaîne opératoire of mudbrick and mortar production within Aşıklı Höyük. Through micromorphological analysis, the research investigates the compositional recipes and production sequences of these materials, aiming to discern sediment sources derived from both the “natural” and “built” environments. By analyzing key micro and macro markers of the earthen materials, this study aims to shed light on early technological practices and the socio-environmental adaptations of Neolithic communities.
Dr. Tia Sager (in person)
‘The Poetics and Politics of Space: A regional analysis of the Cretan post-palatial built environment’
Several centuries before the widespread destruction of palaces and palatial sites in the Eastern Mediterranean at the end of the Late Bronze Age (ca. 1200 BCE), the island of Crete went through a period of palatial destruction and unrest at a smaller scale, foreshadowing what was to come. At the end of the Neopalatial Period (ca, 1450 BCE), catastrophic destructions befell towns and villages all across the island. The subsequent Final Palatial (1425–1340 BCE) and Post-Palatial periods (ca, 1340–1200 BCE) have traditionally been considered periods of strife and general decline after the destruction and abandonment of earlier palatial centres on the island (with the exception of Knossos and Chania). Yet recent evidence in the form of burial assemblages, ceramics, and architecture indicates that these were also moments of cultural innovation. New beginnings are seen in the architectural evidence, including: different architectural forms, innovative reuse of earlier buildings, and the mixing of earlier architectural traditions with external influences in this period. Because of the fragmentary nature of the archaeological record for this transitional period, the architecture of the Final Palatial and Post-Palatial periods on Crete has been the subject of few systematic studies. By integrating different methodologies to explore the fragmentary architecture of this transitional period, my doctoral dissertation project traced architectural change and innovation in Final and Post-Palatial Crete by employing architectural life histories, spatial analysis, and phenomenological approaches. This talk will summarize the findings of my doctoral research, based on a study of over 40 built environment, and will show how through spatial analysis and digital methodologies, such as 3D scanning and 3D modelling, it becomes possible to shine new light on this complexity to interpret architectural change during periods of instability and transformation.
We hope to see you at the seminar, on-site or virtually!
Time: Thursday 21 November at 16:15–18:00 EET (UTC+2h).
Live venue: (note, changed since the last seminar) The Faculty Hall of Theology (Fabianinkatu 33, Room 4038). To find the room, take the elevator to the fourth floor and enter the glass door to your left.
Virtual venue: Zoom (Meeting ID: 678 8979 2118 / https://helsinki.zoom.us/j/67889792118).
Ancient and Medieval Middle East (AMME) seminars series
The four seminars will be organized as hybrid events at the University of Helsinki and in Zoom. Please note that we have moved the in-person venue to the Main Building (details below). The second speaker of the December session will be confirmed soon.
Each themed session will consist of two talks followed by a shared discussion, and everyone are most welcome to participate!
Monday 23.09.24 (16:15-18:00 EEST):Cognitive Perspectives on Ancient Texts
Dr. Matthew Ong: ‘Metaphors for the emotions of Marduk in Ludlul: a cognitive approach’Prof. Dr. Jutta Jokiranta:‘Cognitive Mechanisms in Cultural Rituals: Examples from Dead Sea Scrolls’
Thursday 31.10.24 (16:15-18:00 EET): Hands-on Approaches to Ancient Material
MA/MSc Bonnie Nilham: ‘Neolithic Plaster at Tell Sabi Abyad, North Syria ’Dr. Luisa M. García González ‘Reinterpreting ancient Egyptian materials: from discovery to interdisciplinary research. A brief presentation of the Qubbet el-Hawa Project’
Thursday 21.11.24 (16:15-18:00 EET): Approaches to Architecture
- Dr. Melis Uzdurum: ‘How can we combine micro- and macro studies to understand earthen architecture in the past?’
- Dr. Tia Sager: ‘The Poetics and Politics of Space: A regional analysis of the Cretan post-palatial built environment’
Tuesday 17.12.24 (16:15-18:00 EET):Labour in the Ancient World
- Dr. Ville Vuolanto: ‘Child labour and child work in Roman Egypt’
- Second speaker TBA
All sessions can be attended in person (Faculty hall, Unioninkatu 34, room 4038) or virtually via Zoom (https://helsinki.zoom.us/j/67889792118 / Meeting ID: 678 8979 2118).”
PS: view the ANEE news blog for upcoming events and summaries of past seminars!”
Uutisen lähde: linkki.
