The balsam of Matarea was a famous panacea among physicians in the Middle East and Europe during the antique and medieval periods. Using written sources, visual data and archaeological material, ...Milwright reconstructs the fascinating cultural history of the balsam tree: from Jericho and En-Gedi to Egypt, and from ancient times to the 17th century.
Located on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, the Dome of the Rock was constructed at the end of the seventh century by order of caliph ‘Abd al-Malik. This seminal structure has been much studied but no ...definitive interpretation yet exists of the meanings conveyed by the Dome at the time of its completion. The recovery of meaning is complicated by the paucity of primary written sources relating to the construction phases of the building and the motivations of its patron. This book concentrates on the most important surviving primary text, the long mosaic inscription running around the interior. Comprising a dedication and date (72/691-92) and material of a religious nature, the mosaic inscription provides vital evidence for the reconstruction of the meanings and functions of the Dome of the Rock. The detailed study of the mosaics helps to place them in the context of Late Antique monumental writing, particularly in Greek. The book makes use of contemporary Islamic coins, graffiti, and other inscribed objects in order to examine the Dome of the Rock in the relation to the ideological concerns of the Umayyad elite during and after the second Civil War.
This book offers an introduction to the archaeology of the Islamic world. It traces the history of the discipline from its earliest manifestations through to the present and evaluates the ...contribution made by archaeology to the understanding of key aspects of Islamic culture. The author argues that it is essential for the results of archaeological research to be more fully integrated into the wider historical study of the Islamic world. Organising the book into broad themes allows a focus on issues that are relevant across different regions and periods. Short case studies are included to allow the reader to examine the ways in which archaeologists collect and interpret material in specific contexts. The emphasis is on archaeological work conducted in the area stretching from Afghanistan and the Central Asian republics in the east to Spain in the west. Comparisons are also be drawn with Islamic regions of sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian subcontinent, reflecting the main focus of archaeological work in the Islamic world to the present day.
The article considers the ways in which traditional manual crafts in Egypt and Syria adapted to the challenges of the importation of mass-produced goods from Europe and changes in taste among local ...and foreign purchasers. While some crafts did not prosper in this environment, the evidence from surviving objects and primary sources indicates high levels of experimentation, including the creative use of new materials and technologies. The main part of the article presents a case study concerning four undated inlaid brass stands imitating a Mamluk original made for the sultan al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun in 1327-28. This stand was first exhibited in 1881, and was reproduced in several publications prior to 1900. The study concentrates on the treatment of the inlaid epigraphy, establishing formal differences between the prototype and the copies, as well as pointing out significant divergences between the copies themselves. The latter part of the case study considers the dissemination of specific motifs from the stand of al-Nasir Muhammad onto other types of Mamluk revival metalwork, such as boxes and trays. This comparative analysis offers a means to understand working practices and interrelationships between workshops.
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Textual and archaeological sources are employed to reconstruct the history of Karak in Jordan, 1100-1650 CE. The book establishes the ways in which the construction of a major castle at Karak ...affected the town and the surrounding rural hinterland.
