Imperial Architecture and Identity: An Introduction

This special issue of JEMAHS with a focus on imperial architecture and identity is an elaboration workshop that took place at the University Helsinki's Centre Excellence in Ancient Near Eastern Empires brought together scholars from different disciplines—architecture, archaeology, history, social science, heritage studies—to discuss new interdisciplinary approaches to identities past societies role shaping them. Over last centuries, has been extensively researched both classical archaeology as separate, independent subject. While previously this field may have perceived “old fashioned” “elite focused,” more recent expanding geographical horizon eastern Mediterranean studies, increasing utilization anthropological evidence, broader theoretical methodological advances shifted perspective for studies its community identities.The early exploration study left behind impressive scholarly tomes emphasizing buildings' origins, is, exactly how when they were built, their historical connections. Regarding features associated artifacts, was those elements considered significance excavators. included artistic (e.g., reliefs, capitals), artifacts precious nonlocal materials gold, ivory, imported wares), text-bearing objects (like clay tablets or inscriptions; see, e.g., Orient-Comité 1898; Dörpfeld 1902; Kohl Watzinger 1916). The preponderance material-culture assemblage relegated supporting dating, even often simply went unrecorded. With lesser stratigraphy contextual fieldwork, interpretations based art-historical typological parallels textually recorded histories (see, Baird 2007 room identifications excavations Dura Europos). To be sure, architectural historian products these modern expeditions are still very much relevant today. However, also become documents own, showing signs nineteenth- twentieth-century colonialist attitudes (Fig. 1).The age large-scale investigations, which hectares sites exposed documented matter years, long over, full excavation projects emphasize start, practices inclusive, stratigraphically minded, clear life communities. Likewise, developments anthropology contributed advancement postcolonial theories, can provide critical nuanced analysis built environment influence communities (Yeoh 2003; Segaud 2010; Nitschke Lorenzon 2020). Studies highlighted ruling elite power structures convey messages control interactions (Moore Parker Pearson Richards 1994). More recently, started longevity across changing landscapes repurposing later (Hamilakis 2007; Olivier 2011; Bille Sørensen 2016). These wider helped overcome idea connected only elites, favor comparisons between forms “imperial” space time highlight relationship (Ball 2001; Kolb 2005, 2020; 2010).Imperial defined specific structural manifestations facilitate “the maintenance empire, including edges infrastructure, recall … source [an empire's] authority” (Leach 2016: 1). definition shared by authors caveat types buildings not confined certain functions geographies. Buildings word monumental definition, “designed recognized, expressed scale elaboration, though meanings understood all members society” 1996: 92; see Thomas 2007: 2–11 detailed discussion term “monumental”) 2). Aside obvious palaces (see Kertai, issue), fortification walls, city gates Lorenzon, religious gatherings (for synagogues, Bonnie, symbols administration libraries, Lopez Garcia Bueno Guardia, issue) category, among many other buildings.The who designed, inhabited multifaced complex but way embedded fabric (i.e., Assyrian vs. Aramean; skilled unskilled labor; Jewish Christian). As such, heart archaeological discussions identities—whether social, cultural, religious—as any individual had than one identity, overlapped and/or contrasted each other. presents series case areas reassess variety topic, ranging Neo-Assyrian Roman Islamic featuring Italy, Greece, Anatolia, Levant, Iraq.The paradigmatic reflection community's identity: it material tangible representation people's culture setting engagements used tool polities within empires cultural narratives 1996; Grossman 2004; Russell 2016; also, generally, Markus 1993; Dale Burrell 2005). contributions use methods explore affected sociocultural context distinct perpetuating political proxy designers, beneficiaries, potential users.As focuses expressions considers representative experience point view society, essential include different, excluded, fields expertise order arrive inclusive understanding building process (Wescoat Ousterhout 2012; Buchli 2013; Van Oyen 2015; Stern 2018). enable practitioners dissect form's basic components answer questions regarding production, use, (Kramer 1982; Rapoport 1990; Gates Harmanşah 2015). In addition, exploitation designs styles represent adaptation strategies particular natural (Anastasio, Gilento, Parenti et al. 2020).The four articles evidence ways integrate empire's need conveyed through durability, well persistence techniques shapes. Using capital Dur-Sharruken established under Sargon II (722–705 BCE), David Kertai explores problems politics founding assess establishing royal nature innovation tradition empire. By using inscriptions data, article critically assesses power, urban environment, landscape.Marta Iron Age Sa'mal/Zincirli, Carchemish, Til Barsip/Tell Ahmar, Melid/Arslantepe design materiality, thereby exercised experienced elite, builders, Syro-Anatolian she provides illustrate public forged maintained identities, first then part program during Age. contribution agency builders creation spaces Age.By combining literary multitude examples Rome, Antonio Miriam Guardia question spread functioning libraries Empire specifically provincial Anatolia. They multifunctionality buildings, meetings, administration, religion, while arguing remains unclear what extent found provinces accessible general public.Finally, several synagogue examples, Rick Bonnie synagogues late antique Galilee continued live after initial people relationships period beyond, whether functions, ruins. medieval Muslim traveler accounts, depictions ruins.In closing, we sincerely thank journal editors Ann Killebrew Sandra Scham encouraging us guiding publication issue. We would like Gabriele Faßbeck her excellent work copy editor contributions.