Innovative Vaulting in the Architecture of the Roman Empire : 1st to 4th Centuries CE

This book studies six vaulting techniques employed in architecture outside of Rome and asks why they were invented where they were and how they were disseminated. Most of the techniques involve terracotta elements in various forms, such as regular flat bricks, hollow voussoirs, vaulting tubes, and armchair voussoirs. Each one is traced geographically via GIS mapping, the results of which are analysed in relation to chronology, geography, and historical context. The most common building type in which the techniques appear is the bath, demonstrating its importance as a catalyst for technological innovation. This book also explores trade networks, the pottery industry, and military movements in relation to building construction, revealing how architectural innovation was influenced by wide ranging cultural factors, many of which stemmed from local influences rather than imperial intervention. Additional resources including extensive searchable databases with bibliographical data and color illustrations available at (http://www.cambridge.org/vaulting) www.cambridge.org/vaulting . Cover 1 Half title 3 Title 5 Copyright 6 Dedication 7 Epigraph 9 Contents 11 List of Figures 15 List of Tables 20 List of Web Figures 21 List of Web Catalogs 23 Preface 25 1 Introduction 29 How to Use This Book 29 Goals and Intentions 30 Method and Approach 32 Provincial Administration and the Building Industry 35 Building Vaults: Structure and Construction 40 Structural Behavior 40 Material Properties 42 Centering 43 Final Thoughts 45 2 Opus Caementicium 47 Terminology 48 What Is Pozzolana? 49 How to Recognize Volcanic Ash 52 How Do Pozzolans Work? 52 Survey of Reactive Additives for Mortar 54 Caementa: Sources of Stones and Structural Strategies 57 Conclusions 64 3 Barrel Vaults of Brick 67 Methods of Construction: Terminology 68 Radial Brick: Early Graeco-Roman Examples 70 Radial Brick: Purpose 73 Pitched Mud Brick: Pre-Roman Developments 77 Vertical Brick: Early Examples 78 Vertical Brick: Diffusion 85 Vertical Brick: Purpose 86 Technology Transfer and the Near East 92 Conclusions 94 4 Complex Vault Forms of Brick 98 Vault Types: Terminology 98 Complex Vault Forms: Pre-Roman Developments 100 Mud Brick Sail Vaults in Early Roman Egypt 101 Fired Brick Sail Vaults outside Roman Egypt 107 Pitched Brick Domes and Semidomes 116 Conclusions 122 5 Vaulting Tubes 127 Early Development of Vaulting Tubes 128 Introduction of Vaulting Tubes with Nozzles 134 Role of the Military in the Diffusion outside North Africa 136 The North African Economy 140 An Export Commodity? 143 Purpose of the Nozzle Tubes 143 Effects on Architectural Space 146 A New Vault Form Is Born 150 Advent of Lightweight Shell Vaults 154 Conclusions 154 6 Hollow Voussoirs 157 Analytical Tools for Studying Hollow Voussoirs 157 Early Examples 160 The Next Generation 166 Purpose 168 Production Modes and Diffusion 173 Conclusions 177 7 Vaulting Ribs of Armchair Voussoirs 180 Precursors: Flanged Terracotta Bars 181 Early Terracotta Armchair Voussoirs 184 Stone Armchair Voussoirs 186 Purpose of Armchair Voussoir Ribbing 189 Heated Vaults? 191 Production Modes and Diffusion 197 Conclusions 200 8 Vault Behavior and Structural Form 205 Vaults as Part of Structural Systems 205 Thrust Line Analysis as a Tool for Evaluating Structural Behavior 208 Case Study 1: Hollow Voussoirs vs. Solid Brick - A Comparison of Structural Efficacy 210 Case Study 2: The Sanctuary of Sulis Minerva at Bath 212 Case Study 3: The North Baths at Cimiez 215 Case Study 4: The Cult Complex at Argos 217 Structural Analysis as an Aid to Cultural Understanding 219 9 Vaulting Techniques in Context 220 The Role of Bath Building in Technology Transfer 221 The Building Industry, Terracotta Production, and Agricultural Export 223 Deforestation as a Factor in Construction Innovation? 225 Networks and Technology Transfer 227 Chronological Patterns 230 Notes 233 Works Cited 251 Index 275 This book studies six vaulting techniques employed in architecture outside of Rome and asks why they were invented where they were and how they were disseminated. Most of the techniques involve terracotta elements in various forms, such as regular flat bricks, hollow voussoirs, vaulting tubes, and armchair voussoirs. Each one is traced geographically via GIS mapping, the results of which are analysed in relation to chronology, geography, and historical context. The most common building type in which the techniques appear is the bath, demonstrating its importance as a catalyst for technological innovation. This book also explores trade networks, the pottery industry, and military movements in relation to building construction, revealing how architectural innovation was influenced by wide ranging cultural factors, many of which stemmed from local influences rather than imperial intervention. Additional resources including extensive searchable databases with bibliographical data and colour illustrations available at www.cambridge.org/vaulting. "This book studies six vaulting techniques employed in architecture outside of Rome and asks why they were invented where they were and how they were disseminated. Most of the techniques involve terracotta elements in various forms, such as regular flat bricks, hollow voussoirs, vaulting tubes, and armchair voussoirs. Each one is traced geographically via GIS mapping, the results of which are analysed in relation to chronology, geography, and historical context. The most common building type in which the techniques appear is the bath, demonstrating its importance as a catalyst for technological innovation. This book also explores trade networks, the pottery industry, and military movements in relation to building construction, revealing how architectural innovation was influenced by wide ranging cultural factors, many of which stemmed from local influences rather than imperial intervention"-- Provided by publisher