FORM AND MEANING OF THE NEOLITHIC ROUND STRUCTURES IN THE NEAR EAST AND EUROPE

2023-1-20
Çelik, Sümeyye
Working on similar evidence, architectural history and archaeology are two fields that have much in common. This thesis analyses Near Eastern and European Neolithic round structures to explore further this commonality. Avoiding the diffusionist and narrativist approaches, the study does not pursue establishing continuity or connection between the Neolithic round structures in the Near East and Europe. Instead, it focuses on the form, structure, spatial arrangements, and symbolism relationships of the buildings and monuments through a reading based on the architectural semiotic theory of Umberto Eco. To examine whether there was a symbolic manifestation behind the Neolithic round form, Pre-Pottery Neolithic settlements where subterranean circular and above-ground rectangular structures coexisted together like Jerf el-Ahmar are studied. Furthermore, considering that circular subterranean structures were built before rectangular above-ground buildings in Neolithic settlements such as Göbekli Tepe and Aşıklı Höyük, it has been discussed whether the shift to rectangular form necessitated a process that included the development of Neolithic societies' construction skills. To advance the argument and to provide an extensive publication concerning circular Neolithic structures for future research, the thesis also examines the circular European Neolithic monuments: tomb-shrines and enclosures. Taken together, the study asserts that the choice of round form in the Near East can be considered as an agency-based preference where two forms coexisted together, whereas it was an outcome of ecological parameters and natural laws, i.e. structure, when they evolved in succession within different periods. Regarding European monuments, the round form was usually a symbolic choice.

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Citation Formats
S. Çelik, “FORM AND MEANING OF THE NEOLITHIC ROUND STRUCTURES IN THE NEAR EAST AND EUROPE,” M.A. - Master of Arts, Middle East Technical University, 2023.