Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Archaeology of Architecture
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BAR S1175
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Contents
List of contributors
iii
Preface
v
Chapter 1
Archaeotecture: seeking a new archaeological vision of Architecture
Xurxo M. Ayán Vila, Rebeca Blanco Rotea & Patricia Mañana Borrazás
1
Chapter 2 Archaeology of Architecture: theory, methodology and analysis from Landscape
Archaeology
Rebeca Blanco Rotea, Patricia Mañana Borrazás & Xurxo M. Ayán Vila
17
Chapter 3
Archaeological analysis and intervention in historical buildings
Luis Caballero Zoreda
41
Chapter 4
Methodology and systems of analysis: The Château at Mayenne
Rob Early
61
Chapter 5 House Ethnoarchaeology in Ethiopia. Some elements for the analysis of domestic
space in Benishangul
Alfredo González Ruibal & Víctor M. Fernández Martínez
83
Chapter 6 On Architecture & Archaeology. Reading Norberg-Schulz in a prehistoric context
Curry Heimann
99
Chapter 7 The Architect in Classical Architecture
Nick Eiteljorg
107
Chapter 8 Presenting the Roman Villa:The Villa di Orazio, Licenza, and the Villa del
Discobolo, Capocotta
Martin Goalen & Diane Fortenberry
113
Chapter 9
The Baths of Odessos as a Space Providing Employment for its Citizes
Anna Haralambieva
121
Chapter 10
Excavations in the County Gaol of Chaves
Sérgio Carnéiro
125
Chapter 11
The Archaeology of Space
Robina McNeil
143
Chapter 12 An Estate House at the 15th Excavation Area of the Selitrennoie Site
Emma Zilivinskaya
155
i
Chapter 13
An Archaeological Vision of A Medieval Town
Mindaugas Bertašius
167
Chapter 14
A practical example of the Archaeology of Architecture: Its application within the
chronological discussion about the Early-Medieval Hispanic churches
Mª Ángeles Utrero Agudo, Luis Caballero Zoreda & Fernando Arce Sainz
173
Chapter 15
The medieval monastery of San Andrés de Astigarribia, Mutriku (Gipuzkoa,
Spain)
Jesús Manuel Pérez Centeno & Amagoia Pía Aranguren
189
Chapter 16
The archaeological study of San Esteban de Atán (Lugo-Spain). A Pre-
Romanesque, Romanesque or Modern church?
Fernando Arce Sainz & Mª Ángeles Utrero Agudo
197
Chapter 17
Rethoric and design in premodern buildings
Dragos Gheorghiu
205
Chapter 18
The Propylaea project
Harrison Eiteljorg, II
213
Chapter 19
Conservation plans and Private Sector Development
Gerald A. Wait
219
ii
List of contributors
iii
Curry Heimann Amagoia Pía Aranguren
(curry.heimann@archaeology.gu.se)
Department of Historical Archaeology,
Department of Archaeology Society of Sciences Aranzadi
Göteborg University, Donostia-San Sebastian, Euskadi, Spain
Box 200, SE - 405 30
Göteborg, Sweden. Mª Angeles Utrero Agudo
(utrero@ceh.csic.es)
Patricia Mañana Borrazás
(phpatrim@usc.es) Instituto de Historia,
Departamento de Historia Antigua y
Laboratorio de Arqueoloxía Arqueología,
Instituto de Estudios Galegos Padre Sarmiento Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
(CSIC) – Xunta de Galicia (XuGA) Madrid, Spain
Galicia, Spain
http://www-gtarpa.usc.es/ Dr Gerald A. Wait
(gerry.wait@gifford-consulting.co.uk)
Robina McNeil Associate, Gifford and Partners Ltd
(robina.mcneil@man.ac.uk) Carlton House, Ringwood Rd
Greater Marchester Arch Unit Woodland, Southampton
The University of Manchester SO40 7HT
Manchester, United Kingdom United Kingdom
iv
Preface
This volume has been produced by the European Association of Archaeologists (EAA) as a result
of the contributions presented by different authors during the sessions held under the general
heading of ‘Architectural Archaeology’ in Lisbon (Portugal) in 2000, and in Esslingen (Germany)
in 2001, both of which were co-ordinated by the editors of this volume. Archaeotecture:
Archaeology of Architecture is a compilation of the majority of the papers presented during these
sessions, organised according to their subjects or the chronological periods they cover. All of them
share a common factor: the study of constructions and architectonic spaces, analysed from an
archaeological perspective.
The interest shown in the communications presented during these EAA sessions with a
common epigraph and complementary focus, together with the need to publicise the studies carried
out within the framework of Architectural Archaeology, has led the organisers to promote the
publication of the details of these different investigations. Its introduction contains texts with an
essentially theoretical and methodological content that make it possible to establish an
approximation towards architecture from archaeological perspectives, and then offers a series of
examples in which these or other methodologies have been put into practice. Most of these studies
focus on constructions from historical periods, essentially motivated by the fact that an important
part of our remaining architectonic heritage belongs to these periods, meaning that this is the field
in which Architectural Archaeology has developed to its fullest extent. In fact, its appearance was
partly motivated by the need to adopt new methodologies that made it possible to study post-
classical constructions from an archaeological perspective, as the objects of study were no longer
subterranean sites, but instead buildings that were still standing, in many cases still in use, and
applying construction techniques using non-perishable materials. This fact excluded its application
to other constructions, generally from pre- and proto-historic periods, that were often built using
perishable materials, and concentrated on the study of monumental architecture.
One of the aims of this volume was to gather together the different analyses that have been
carried out into all types of architecture, regardless of their chronology or type, therefore
overcoming the above-mentioned situations. The studies gathered in this volume cover a
chronological period that starts with Prehistory and continues to the present day, concentrating
equally on the analysis of wooden archaeological structures and monumental architecture built in
stone.
Another of the objectives of these sessions (as explained in Chapter 1) was to demonstrate
that investigation and management are two inseparable elements within the study of heritage
constructions, as demonstrated by some of the studies included that discuss the application of
Architectural Archaeology in Heritage Management. Since holding these sessions, it is now held
that this is the path the discipline should follow, as the disassociation between basic and applied
investigation reduces its potential, and poses a hurdle to making the best use of the results obtained
from basic investigation. In this sense, the possibilities for application offered by Architectural
Archaeology in designing plans for the direction of old towns, the creation of maps detailing
regional techniques, carrying out architectonic restoration projects, the conservation of heritage
constructions or the interpretation of vanished architectonic spaces, should be taken into account
when dealing with architectonic studies from this discipline, which are often reduced to merely
using their methodological instruments.
Although this volume is not a compendium of all of the theoretical and methodological
approximations, perspectives and proposals in use today in Architectural Archaeology, it does
offer a detailed description of the different types of projects that have been carried out in Europe in
recent years.
v
vi
2
Archaeology of Architecture:
theory, methodology and analysis from Landscape Archaeology
Rebeca Blanco Rotea; Patricia Mañana Borrazás & Xurxo M. Ayán Vila
Laboratorio de Arqueoloxía - Instituto de Estudios Gallegos Padre Sarmiento (CSIC-XuGA), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Abstract
In the first part of our paper we propose a theoretic and methodological plan to develop an investigation line in
Archaeology of Architecture, orientated from Landscape Archaeology propositions. In this plan we articulate a
methodological frame that include analysis techniques from different disciplines: Archaeology, Architecture,
Anthropology and Psychology (stratigraphical analysis, formal analysis, perception analysis). This is the theoretical and
methodological frame of the Archaeotecture.
The second part includes a example of this kind of analysis, which is integrated into a major project about Heritage
Management of a hillfort in North West of Spain: the Castro of Elviña (A Coruña, Galicia). Our archaeological research
unit and A Coruña Council contracted for develop a Director Plan which put the basis to build an archaeological park in
this site. The plannning included several works among whose was the study of architectonical record. In this context we
make a formal analysis of several domestic buildings and a stratigraphical analysis of one of them. At his point our
research allow us know the evolution of domestic space and changes in social patterns from Iron Age until
Romanization. In the same way this work give us a rich information about architecture that was used for a CAD
reconstruction of the major house dirt in the site. This study not only contribute to identify the different constructive
periods but also to design an architectonical reconstruction of an Iron Age dwelling into the future archaeological park.
17
Archaeology of Architecture: theory, methodology and analysis from Landscape Archaeology
understanding of preceding social formations, and to show involved in the study of the constructed space, the very
how archaeology must become a technique which uses concept of space and the way i which it is analyzed in
spatial and methodological analyses together with social Architecture.
theory as an interpretative framework (Samson 1990). The second part demonstrates the applied aspect of this
Today the need has been imposed to widen the investigation programme, exploring one important
perspectives of investigation, assimilating new lines which intervention which have taken place in Galicia: a study of
make it possible to maximise the information which comes domestic architecture in an Iron Age hillfort within the
from the constructed space. context of planning an appraisal project for the site. In it, the
To do so we have developed open lines of investigation Archaeology of Architecture comes into play within integral
which are being optimised in other contexts, although in Heritage Management programmes, giving rise to a
Galicia these have only appeared in recent years. The quantity of information which is maximised in the study
theoretical and methodological framework used to carry out and social popularisation of this site.
this initiative is known as Landscape Archaeology (Criado
1999), while the main techniques and methodologies used Theoretical proposals
form part of the Archaeology of Architecture and another
Theoretical proposals are the foundations which allow us to
archaeological researches . This discipline, based on the
interpret the social actions reflected in the architectonic
study of historical constructions using archaeological
register. If we ask ourselves what the basic concepts are in
methodology, gives a series of analytical models and
the investigation of a construction, then space is the most
methodological instruments which greatly help in the study
fundamental. It is important to explain what is meant by
of different dimensions of constructed space.
space, as it is the fundamental objective of architectonic
The investigation programme proposed in turn offers a investigation, and its appreciation depends on the analytical
line of applied investigation which is related to the techniques used. An essential part of the investigative
Management and Appraisal of Archaeological Heritage. It is strategy detailed in this study is directly derived from the
important to mention that traditional archaeology has theoretical concepts of space, of their interpretation in the
barely tackled the problem of socially publicising historical field of architecture, and how they eventually contribute to
knowledge. Digs in archaeological sites usually involve the investigation of prehistoric and historic architecture.
excavations whose results – which are rarely published - are
only known to specialists and professionals in the field. The concept of Space
They have thus become projects of little interest to society,
Mankind’s relationship with space has existential roots,
which paradoxically finances these investigations in most
derived from the need to acquire vital relationships in the
cases. This situation is related to the overly academic
surrounding environment, in order to bring sense and order
perspective used, which forgets the nature and social
to world of occurrences and actions, as noted by Norberg-
function of a humanistic discipline like archaeology. This
Schulz (1980: 9). Most human activities have a spatial
explains the marginalisation (which is often unconscious) of
aspect, understood as that orientating objects are distributed
work with the socio-cultural product of archaeological
according to spatial relationships (inside-outside, near-far,
investigation par excellence: Archaeological Heritage.
separate-joined, etc.) Human beings, in order to carry out
In general, this ‘purist’ perspective has predominated their wishes, must understand spatial relationships, and
investigation of prehistory in our country, considerably bring them together in one spatial concept.
limiting taking full advantage of the information obtained
Space is therefore considered as one of the fundamental
from archaeological digs. This perspective has led to a
existential dimensions for mankind, and as a design for life
degree of theoretical and methodological conservatism,
has been the object of study and reflection by philosophers
which has not promoted the application of new strategies,
and scientists since the earliest times. Lao-Tsé, Parmenides,
not only in heritage management, but also in basic
Plato, Aristotle, Copernicus, Descartes, Locke, Newton,
investigation, as is the case with Experimental Archaeology,
Kant, etc..., defined this concept, giving it different values
Ethnoarchaeology or Architectural Archaeology.
within their philosophical theories. The last revolution in
the concepts of sciences and philosophy appeared with
Contents
Einstein, who refined the concepts of space which existed in
Broadly speaking, the text attempts to demonstrate the physics into three main categories (Ven 1981): space as a
bidemensional character of archaeological practice applied place, referring to a small piece of the earth’s surface, with a
to Architecture using the guidelines of Landscape name (Aristotle); space as a three dimensional field
Archaeology. This paper is therefore divided into two main (Euclidean concept); space as the container for all material
sections; the first one details the theoretical and objects; the container may be changed, but the contained
methodological aspects of the proposed line of space remains (Newton’s absolute space). With his theory of
investigation, starting from the critical revision of historical relativity, Einstein gave us the concept of a time-space
archaeological investigations into architecture and continuum in four dimensions.
constructed space, developed in the already quoted
However, away from the world of science, the idea of
previous work, as a way of grasping the social logic and
space has acquired other dimensions. The traditional notion
cultural context in which they develop as elements of
of space, in line with bourgeois thinking, had become
material culture. Therefore, we will focus here in some
reduced to its territorially dimension (somewhere to occupy
theoretical aspects concerning the different disciplines
18
Archaeotecture: Archaeology of Architecture
or exploit), it has been discredited in relation to time interior space, has been fundamental. This is the first
(Criado 1993b). written attempt at interpreting the dividing line as a
Yet in all of these concepts of space, aspects of spatial continuation of space, emphasising not so much interior
experience are left very much to one side, such as emotional space as the parts of the construction which transmit its
and symbolic relationships with the environment. In interior outwards toward the exterior space (the borders)
dealing with these essential aspects, C. Norberg-Schulz (Ven 1981:23).
(1980: 9-12), carrying out a study into the notion of space, In a study of the concept of space in architecture, J.
differentiated between several concepts: Sánchez (1998: 90-92) included the theories of the following
- pragmatic space, within which physical action takes art historians and architects. For Schmarsow, architecture is
place: it integrates man with his natural organic created by the human body, seeking its own sense of
environment ; movement and of its extensions into space. He recognises
- perceptive space, of immediate action; fundamental for three types of spaces: tactile, mobile and visual, which the
his identity as a person; senses incorporate in simultaneous and successive
experiences in space and time. Hildebrand perceives space
- existential space, which for mankind forms a stable
in two ways: through pure vision (statically viewed images)
image of the surrounding environment, giving a
and kinetic vision (images received when the viewer is
sense of belonging to a social and cultural whole;
moving). The theories of the Cubists have also been
- cognitive space of the physical world, through which fundamental, which after Einstein’s theory of relativity
he is able to think about space; added the concept of a fourth dimension, a dimension
- abstract space of purely logical relationships, offering acquired with the movement of the body (compared to the
an instrument to describe to others; traditionally Euclidean dimension, which is static). One of
- expressive or artistic space, in which the structure of his the greatest luminaries of modern architecture, Le
world is expressed as a real imago mundi. This needs Corbusier, at first rejected this fourth dimension, claiming
to forge a concept of space which organises the that humanity was only capable of perceiving three;
possible properties of expressive spaces (including however, he would finally accept it, calling it ineffable space,
architectonic space). or an emotional state in which spaces were defined by
- Architectonic space: directly related to spatial systems, harmonic series (Sánchez) 1998: 91), leading to a greater
of mankind’s individual and public space. consideration of the volumetric disposition and circulatory
Mankind’s systems are created by influences which order in constructions. In all of these theories, the
are reciprocal to existing architectonic spaces, and perception of spaces (with movement as one of its key
when these prove to be confused or too unstable, elements) is seen as essential for the study of architecture.
then he has to change his architectonic space. It may Accordingly, various proposals have appeared in
be finally defined as the fixing of man’s existential modern architecture concerning space, which act as a
space. theoretical base for the analysis presented in this study.
As may be seen from this glimpse at the different One of the main authors who has helped modernise the
theoretical areas which consider the concept of space, this concept of space in architecture has been S. Giedion (see
has become a notion with a single meaning (place, three Norberg-Schulz 1980:13), for whom the process by which a
dimensional space, etcetera), to be evaluated spatial image may be transposed to the emotional sphere is
multidimensionally, considering both its concept as a expressed by the spatial concept, which gives information
physical matrix, and the perception mankind has of it, and about the relationship between human being and his
its implicit cultural significance. This multidimensional surroundings, confronted by a spiritual expression of
space is directly related to the pattern of rationality, which reality. The world at his feet is changed by his presence, and
Lévi-Strauss calls thought, of the society which creates it forces him to graphically project his own position, if he
and lives it out; architecture is also the most evident way of wishes to relate to it. This coincides with the precepts of
giving a physical aspect to the spatial concepts of this Landscape Archaeology, which considers that by studying
rationality. Perhaps the study of the spatiality of a past concepts of spatiality and their structural model, then it is
society may be the best way of understanding their possible to access the pattern of rationality which created
rationality, as language, the essential communicator of them (Criado 1999).
thought, does not endure. Studies about architectonic space depend on the basic
concept of space which they use. Two types of study prevail
The study of space in Architecture in this kind of investigation: those based on the
Since the appearance of modern architecture (in 1890, with tridimensional space (grammar studies) and those based on
Art Nouveau), architects and art historians have started to the space as a vital sensation (perception studies).
consider space as a fundamental concept within According to a conceptualization of space as
architecture. Lao-Tsé is one of the ancient philosophers who multidimensional and directly related to specific patterns of
has had most influence in this change of attitude. In his rationality(thougth)1, we believe that these two types of
theory, dating from around 550 BC, he established the
foundations of the philosophical and phenomenological
principle of polarity, brought together in a single concept 1 The assumption that “activities which take place in relation to
Being and Not Being. With regard to space, the expression of space are coherently organised with the ideal representation of the
the superiority of the content of an architectonic space, of
19
Archaeology of Architecture: theory, methodology and analysis from Landscape Archaeology
analysis have a great potential of information (both lie at the formal analysis2 of primitive architecture. This formal
basis of our proposal). However each one of them, taken analysis is not just focused on a typological and constructive
separately, are unsatisfactory, so they must be connected analysis (see Vela 1995: 267-72) but essentially on the
together and related to more general patterns of analysis of the specific spatial configuration of the
understanding. architectonic register, its pattern of emplacement in the
To summarise the previous, our proposal seek study surrounding area, constructed space, internal
built space from a structural, funcional and symbolic point communication, social function, visibility conditions and
of view, attending to their multidimensionally, visibilisation conditions, pattern of movement and
deconstructing it, with the objective to integrate it in a accessibility. The formal analysis of each and every one of
general pattern of understanding. We seek a symbiotic these dimensions makes it possible to establish the formal
perspective that maximise this research , investigation pattern and then a hypothetical model of the spatial
which answer the demands in Heritage Protection and organisation of the architecture being studied.
Management. We think that this proposal must be As noted by F. Criado (1999: 17) a working methodology
integrated in Architectonic Heritage Management, and this is the way in which it is possible to construct new
not must be reduced to being a interpretative practice, but knowledge. Its definition implies describing the principle
must be as a source of information as a technique which working instruments which make it possible for us to study
adapts and respond to the problems presented by the the dimensions and thematic elements which form a culture.
existence of Archaeological Heritage. We go on to offer a brief explanation of the types of analysis
which should be carried out.
Methodological instrument The form of the structures identified in architectonic
The fundamental problem offered by the type of elements is what defines the constructed space. Architecture
archaeological investigation suggested here lies in the appears when the space begins to be shaped and structure
procedure used to carry out the empirical contrasting of the by the elements of the form: horizontal and vertical
previously mentioned theoretical proposal. We consider elements are the most essential, with an important influence
that in order to demonstrate spatial models, the most useful by the distribution of solids and spaces within the area
analytical instruments are those designed in the field of being studied, integrating an inseparable reality, the union
Architectural Archaeology. of opposites (Ching 1995).
This discipline embraces different methodologies The geometric study of spatial organisation is essential,
developed for the investigation of past societies, both in the as this is fundamental for the organisation of any structure.
domestic and ceremonial environment. The study of vertical It helps to recognise the basic form and spaces created
stratigraphy, particularly used in the study of Mediaeval within it, and the transformations it undergoes when
sites, the functional and symbolic analysis of the English school manipulated and an organisation which satisfies the
(Clarke, Blanton, Hodder) which recognises the social functional and social demands of the programme, as well
factors and symbolic aspects of architecture, and the study the specific limits and possibilities of the place in question.
of the symbolic use of space with non-verbal communication (Baker 1998)
studied by Rapoport are all aspects which are dealt with in Considering this, the formal analysis we propose is
the study of the architecture of past societies. based on two types of techniques: stratigraphic analysis and
This is the methodological framework to be used in the spatial analysis. Both concentrate on the examination of
proposed investigation programme, as it makes available constructive elements at micro level: the first studies the
instruments which make possible the analysis and structure as such – something which contains and defines a
description of an architectonic element through its own space – extracting information from the marks of time
parameters, and also attempt to reconstruct the original within it, whereas the second analyses the spaces created by
context via the significant spatial relationships identified the structure (internally and externally) and the
among the different objects of the record and other codes or relationships which exist between them. Finally, both types
levels of its actual social composition. of analysis lead to the interpretation of the social changes
produced in the construction, whose formal features take
This section details some of the analytical techniques shape in it both vertically and horizontally.
which may be used to identify the specific material forms
which form the architectonic record being studied.
Formal analysis
Using analysis of the type of architectonic design (Ching
1995; Baker 1994, 1998) an analytical procedure has been
developed (Criado 1999) which enables a more satisfactory 2 Formal analysis is understood as “the analysis of the specific
material forms which make up the landscape, both natural
(physiographical) and artificial (elements of Material Culture,
world held by the social group which carries them out” (Criado monuments etc.), without introducing a meaning which is
1999:10), meaning it is essential to integrate these analyses within a unrelated to them. It is therefore a deconstructive sort of practice
particular pattern of rationality, which is one of the final objectives which, when successful, describes the object under study from
of the investigation of prehistory. within itself ”. (Criado 1999: 20).
20
Archaeotecture: Archaeology of Architecture
21
Archaeology of Architecture: theory, methodology and analysis from Landscape Archaeology
By combining the data and turning to auxiliary historical interpretation we were seeking from the very
disciplines, we will end this process by obtaining the beginning.
22
Archaeotecture: Archaeology of Architecture
1964 (Hillier & Hanson 1984; Sánchez 1998); and the visual space according to the permeability of each of them with
perception of spaces and structures, also widely used in respect to the entrance. Accordingly, the thresholds which
different fields (psychology, architecture, sociology and separate / communicate the spaces are a key element within
archaeology). this analysis, as they act as controllers of movement to a
particular environment. Permeability diagrams are therefore
Movement analyses based on spatial organisation, on the control
These form part of syntactic studies of space, developed to (symmetry/asymmetry) and quantity and situation of
analyse the spatial relationships in a construction through access points (distributed / non-distributed), and on the
the circulation which exists between them, and the movement it allows. This analysis makes it possible to
underlying social significance. There are two fundamental discover the social relationships between the individuals
techniques to be used in this type of analysis: circulation who inhabited a structure, and between them and outsiders.
analysis and gamma analysis.
The analysis of visualisation conditions
One of the ways of analysing how a constructed space is
perceived is by movement towards it, the path we take to This analysis attempts to identify what perceptive order has
come close to it and to move from one space to another been implemented in a construction, based on the fact that
within the construction. It is because of this factor that we spatial perception of a construction is influenced by
prefer to denominate this analysis based on individual qualities of light, colour, sound, texture and views from the
movement as circulation analysis compared to access different spaces (Ching 1995) and on the transpatial quality
analysis, as we are not only trying to evaluate the moment of vision, which creates a visual graduation according to the
of entering into each space, but to instead integrate it within position of doorways and thresholds which, as dividing
a transitory system and thus define which are the elements lines between the public and the private, may vary the
which influence the perception of forms and spaces in all percentages of visibility (Ven 1981) and thus restrict the
the construction and its surroundings. access to or view of certain areas or individuals within a
society. the analysis of these aspects makes it possible to
According to the architect F. Ching (1995) in his “work with aspects related to the structure and ideology of
methodology of architectonic analysis, the perceptive thread society” (Sánchez 1998: 94) and of its imaginarium (Criado
which joins the different spaces which comprise the 1993b, 1999).
construction appears in several phases: (1st) approximation to
the construction or a far-off view, where we prepare Basically, two different types of visibility analysis are
ourselves for the experience, (2nd) the access or entrance to carried out:
the internal space, and each of the different spaces within, - One carried out based on the situation of the individual
which may be either subtle (a change in floor level, for who perceives, of visibility from a specific point of view,
example) or more noticeable (more or less monumental normally defined by a threshold and enclosed spaces
spaces). Once these phases have been determined, it is (the analysis of the perception of space within and
necessary to identify what type of direction and what between structures), (perception from);
significance our circulation has, movements influenced by - Another based on the perception or visual impact of
the architectonic elements which form the different spatial spatial volumes, giving the foundations for the
levels within the tumulus. This is based on the fact that as visibilisation of elements and how these influence
movement here is lineal in nature (Ching 1995), there are perception; in this type of analysis it is essential to
elements which, because they are different, noticeable or recognise the existing forms (perception of).
significant to the eye (steps, ladders, ramps, benches etc.) How does one carry out a visibility analysis? According
may bring about a change in the direction of movement, to J. Sánchez (1998: 104) in this type of analysis of an
and therefore be influencing and directing it, as the natural architectonic space, firstly the situation of the point of view
movement of human beings tends towards places which of the individual perceiving is divided. In a construction
signify changes 6. This analysis takes the shape of diagrams which creates enclosed spaces, the point of view is placed in
representing circulation among the different spaces, in the centre of each threshold leading to the different spaces,
which it is important to evaluate the type of approximation directing the vision as far as the limits imposed by
towards the structure, the type of access, configuration of architectonic barriers. However, unlike this author, we
the route taken, etcetera. would propose that it is not necessary for there to be a
Gamma analysis, developed by Hillier and Hanson physical threshold through which we should direct our
(1984), is based on movement through spaces, quantifying vision, although we do need a point of view from which we
the depths and permeabilities of spaces, the ease and type of can observe the construction. This may be given by the
access into them, and evaluating the degree of dependence analysis of circulation and access to the construction: the
spaces have with others. This analysis takes shape in the transitory routes identified at settlement level give a way, a
form of permeability diagrams which give values to each specific point of view used to detect and approach the
construction. Furthermore, value is attached to the
characteristics of the physical and architectonic
6this idea is included by Julia Sánchez (1998:93), referring to the
surroundings (mircotopography, the existence of other
work of the G.L.C. Study of 1978. An Introduction to Housing Layout, constructions, etc.), and the formal characteristics of the
published by: The Architectural Press, London, to which we have elements as a whole, as these create stages which stamp the
not had access. constructions with specific characteristics.
23
Archaeology of Architecture: theory, methodology and analysis from Landscape Archaeology
By using visibilisation analyses it is possible to evaluate Cultural Elements (in their archaeological and heritage
the strategies which configure and give order to the aspects), Intervention (prospecting, archaeological follow-
volumes of an architectonic structure, with the objective of up, test drilling and excavation) and Exploitation (appraisal
determining if the group of elements is visually uniform or and social communication).
if there are areas more visible than the rest, strategies which Until now, Landscape Archaeology has been the
should be considered as making stages for a particular investigative strategy applied in order to develop this
society. It attempts to evaluate what type of visibilisation integral programme. Now, the aim is to also include
conditions are present at each spatial level of a Architectural Archaeology in these projects of applied
phenomenon. The desire for visibilisation may be as investigation, thus contributing to the evaluation of the
conscious and explicit as implicit and even unconscious: it is archaeological record and widening its prospects for
the rationality of a social group which determines which appraisal.
features of the group will be visible. Precisely, one of the
basic assumptions of Landscape Archaeology is that
everything visible is symbolic (Criado 1993b, 1999), and, as
such, different basic strategies of visualisation have been
defined which imply a particular type of rationality:
inhibiting, for the complete lack of interest in
demonstrating/hiding the presence of social action as
products, without producing intentional results or effects,
although there is a possibility that these may be
incorporated within the archaeological record; of
concealment, the conscious intent to make social action
invisible, implying a rejection of its existence; of exhibition,
the desire that the effects of an action are visible in space; of
monumentalisation, with the aim, as well as exhibiting an
object in space, that this withstands the trials of time, all of
which are recognisable in the architectonic field (Criado
1993a).
To conclude this brief methodological suggestions, we
must remember that these techniques will be partial,
insufficient, if their results are not put in relation with the
rest of the elements conforming a given society (or at least
their available record); we must always insert the results in
Figure 1. Situation of Elviña hillfort, in NW of Spain
a wider interpretative framework, in order to verify to what
extent the model extracted from the mere analysis of the
built space is or is not coherent with the model extracted The analysis of protohistoric architecture:
from some other ambits of material record, since the Elviña hillfort (A Coruña, Galicia)
Architecture, by itself, do not mean anything.
The Elviña hillfort, excavated in the 1940’s and 50’s (Luengo
1954-55, 1966, 1975, 1979), is a fortified settlement in a
Archaeology of Architecture and coastal region which acted as the central point within a
applied investigation wide territory. Domestic architecture which has been
uncovered in the site reflects an interesting phenomenon of
We proposed in the introduction the focus adopted by our the remodelling of inhabited space, which may be dated to
investigative group to answer the demands of a new the transitional period between the second Iron Age and the
sociopolitical context in which the field of Heritage Galaico-Roman period. The substantial differences which
Protection and Management has gone from strength to have been documented in the buildings makes it possible
strength in our country. This working strategy takes as its for us to define the two models of spatiality created by a
starting point the reformulation of conventional society undergoing transformation.
archaeological practice which began to take shape within
our group thanks to the archaeological projects carried out
within the framework of the major public works which took
place in Galicia in the 1990’s, such as the Coruña-Vigo oil
pipeline, the motorways connecting Galicia with the rest of
Spain or Galicia’s gas network.
These projects therefore called for a working programme
in which basic investigation had to be applied in order to
solve the problem of protecting Heritage elements affected
by public works, at the same time as entering into a detailed
study of Galicia’s history and prehistory. This programme
contained four consecutive actions: Cataloguing (localising
and documenting archaeological remains), the Evaluation of Figure 2. View of Elviña hillfort, in 1960 (in Luengo 1979)
24
Archaeotecture: Archaeology of Architecture
25
Archaeology of Architecture: theory, methodology and analysis from Landscape Archaeology
5004
1001
5005
1001
5001
1001
CONTEMPORARY
7004
s. XX
5002
1001
5002
1001
//
5001
1001
3004
1001
3001
5003
1001
3002
1003
3003
1001
7005
ABANDONED
5001
1001
8001 1005-1008-3004 2001 5005
1ª 1/2 s. II d. C.
4006
1001
4003
1003
7005
//
1004-1007
7007
1001
7004
1006
7003
// GALAICO-
ROMAN II
1007
//
4005-4004 2003 2002-2005
2001
4002
2ª 1/2 s. I d. C.
4001
7001
7002
2003
1001
2002
7006 5004
2005
1001
4004
7001-7002-7003-7007
6001
4001
5003 5002
1006
1001
4005
1001
GALAICO-
4002
1001
?
ROMAN I
8002 = 4001-4003-4006 = 1001-1002-1003 = 3001-3002
end s. I a. C.
4003
1ª 1/2 s. I d. C.
6002
8002
7006
8001
//
HILLFORT
6003
//
? CULTURE II
6003-4002 = 3003 II Iron Age
//
s. III-II to s. I a. C.
//
HILLFORT
6001-6002 5001 CULTURE I
II Iron Age
s. IV to s. III-II
The following step would be to periodise in phases the Phase IV Reforms on the interior and Galaico-Roman II 2ª ½ s. I d.C. -
exterior of the rectangular s. II d.C.
different constructive stages of the building, considering all dwelling
of the previously obtained information. The result of the Phase V Demolitions within the walls of Abandoned 1ª ½ s. II d.C./
documentary excavation approximately corresponded to the house s. II d.C.
that of the analysis, although with the first we obtained Phase VI Moved from their original Contemporary s. XX
position the flagstones in the
three constructive phases, and with the second four atrium of the entrance to the
constructive phases with their consequent substages, as well larger sized structure
26
Archaeotecture: Archaeology of Architecture
1008
1005
1007
1004
1009
1003
1010
1002
1001
1m
ABANDONED
1005 105.1
1ª 1/2 s. II d. C.
//
//
//
1008
//
104.4
1007 GALAICO-
//
ROMAN II
1004 o
o
// 1010 ?
1002 1003
GALAICO-
ROMAN I
1001 103.1
end s. I a. C.
1ª 1/2 s. I d. C.
105.1
105.1
104.4
104.1
103.1
1m
Figure 7. Differentiation of stratigraphic units (SU) and activities (A) of west-facing interior section of the Casa de la Exedra,
with the SU and A diagram
27
Archaeology of Architecture: theory, methodology and analysis from Landscape Archaeology
103.4
105.4
CONTEMPORARY
106
s. XX
105.1
103.2
102
107
104.3
ABANDONED
105.1 105.2 105.3 105.4
1ª 1/2 s. II d. C.
//
104.4
104.3
104.3
106
1m
//
104.2
105.3
103.1
103.3
GALAICO-
104.1 ROMAN II
2ª 1/2 s. I d. C.
104.1
103.4
103.3
103.2 104.2
GALAICO-
ROMAN I
103.1
101
end s. I a. C.
1ª 1/2 s. I d. C.
//
103.4
HILLFORT
CULTURE II
105.2
102
s. III-II to s. I a. C.
// ?
HILLFORT
101 107 CULTURE I
II Iron Age
s. IV to s. III-II
28
Archaeotecture: Archaeology of Architecture
7001-7002-7003-7007 1004-1007
6001-6002 5001 6003-4002 3003
? = =
8002 = 4001-4003-4006 1001-1002-1003 3001-3002 4005-4004 2003 2002-2005
SU diagram
Archaeological record
External Stairs
oven
Atrium with
flagstone
pavement
Skirting
board Atrium Atrium
with with
portico portico
Doorway Doorway
connected
wall
Retaining wall
Hipotetical reconstruction
29
Archaeology of Architecture: theory, methodology and analysis from Landscape Archaeology
Phase VI
Phase IV
Finally, we have included a contemporary stage which
This phase corresponds to a series of reforms carried out on details the different excavations carried out at the site. We
the interior and exterior of the rectangular dwelling.. know that all excavations imply destruction of part of the
Construction of a dividing wall in the interior of the record. However, during the excavations which have taken
rectangular building. In this period a dividing wall was place in the Casa de la Exedra, several consolidation projects
have been carried out on part of its structure. As we have
built from west to east, splitting the dwelling in two uneven
mentioned, a new reading is necessary in order to identify
sections, smaller to the south. It is built of regularly
distanced stone blocks joined by kaolin mortar. It is less well which remaining parts respond to contemporary
made than the walls which form the dwelling’s perimeter. restauration and which do not. What we do know is that
these interventions have affected the flagstones in the
Construction of an entrance to the smaller dwelling. atrium of the entrance to the larger sized structure, which
The interior partition meant a restructuring of the exterior have been moved from their original position.
space, by modifying access to the dwelling. Part of the
eastern enclosing wall was demolished, and a small wall This phase corresponds to work carried out in the
was built which separated the two doors and twentieth century.
simultaneously acted as a door post for both of them; the Considering the data obtained from this reading, and
southern elevation which enclosed the entrance portico was that from the spatial analysis which follows, we will
also demolished, and the exterior of the dividing wall was establish as a conclusion the models of spatiality in the
extended, forming a smaller portico. Two independent hillfort and Galaico-Roman cultures.
entrances were created for two areas both on the inside, as
they were not connected, and on the outside, separated by Spatial analysis of inhabited structures
the extension of the dividing wall. The majority of the structures uncovered at the Elviña
This entrance atrium to the smaller section would have hillfort are domestic constructions. The excavated area thus
had flagstones, and part of the floor which would have offers an inhabited space which took advantage of the
previously been inside the portico appears to have been optimum conditions offered by the hillfort’s south-
used at that time as a seating area, a space which was southeastern slope; this is the part which is best orientated
suitable for the group to meet close to the dwelling which at midday, the sunniest and best protected from northerly
we believe would have then been an area for day-to-day winds. The steep slope was subjected to considerable
tasks, judging by the materials found in the area. changes, leading to an artificial terrace on which a series of
dwellings were built, outside of the hillfort’s main walls,
Construction of a wall connected to the west-facing
enclosed to the south by the wall which precedes the final
interior elevation of the smaller section. This wall may
construction on the site.
have been joined on with the aim of preserving the western
interior façade from the fire in the kitchen, supporting our
hypothesis that this area would have served for cooking;
however, (and this is less easily demonstrated), we believe
house
stairs
that it may also have been a supporting wall not only for the
forces exerted by the western wall, but also from the
pressure of a supporting beam which could have perhaps
house
tower
phallic temple
Acropolis
house
lis house
Acropo
wall of
Phase V house
fountain
- cistern
house
10 m
which took place within the walls of the Casa de la Exedra hillfort structures
abandoned. Several authors have stated that some Figure 10. Plan of the structures digged in Elviña Hillfort,
structures were possibly ruined at the same time it was digitalized from plan of 1983 excavation; marked the
deserted, such as the encircling walls. There is no doubt that situation of Casa de la Exedra
once the settlements were abandoned there was a period of
deterioration which gradually led to its destruction, with There is therefore no internal spatial organisation within
the different types of collapse due to both reasons. In this this inhabited space which is based on an urban proposal of
case we may consider the western and southern walls of the orthogonal nature, with pathways around which dwellings
rectangular dwelling, the partition wall which divides the were organised. There is a predominance of an adaptation
two sections, and the wall of the domed structure. These to the conditions of the landscape, and a clear separation
correspond to this period of abandonment, which we have between buildings, which were built independently and
dated at around the first half of the second century AD. separate from the others. Within this context, the domestic
30
Archaeotecture: Archaeology of Architecture
buildings define their own architectonic space, leading to a formed by three fundamental spaces which may be defined
series of significant relationships. The application of gamma as public, semipublic/semiprivate, and private. Here the
analyses leads to a graph in which mainly asymmetric visibility analysis demonstrates the perceptive articulation
spatial relationships may be seen, with the exception of #7. of the controls of access which define these three spaces.
Here we see a distributed spatial organisation (with access The different degrees of visibility from the exterior are
only possible in one way), which reveals a strict control of defined by the position and size of the entrance doorway, as
access: to reach B from the outside, it is necessary to first well as by the wall facings themselves.
pass through A, which acts as an access filter and a barrier Regrettably, we do not have a detailed record of the
to free circulation inside the dwelling. The atria or microspatial distribution of the archaeological materials
buttresses form a space which greatly increases the degree removed from the inside of the dwellings, which would
of privacy within the building they belong to. make it possible to contrast this hypothetical spatial
differentiation which has been produced only from a
perceptive angle.
Concerning the circular buildings in the Elviña hillfort,
the impossibility of carrying out this kind of analysis has
obliged us to use the formal characteristics which
generically define circular hillfort dwellings as a reference.
In this type of construction no architectonic elements similar
to the previous have been documented, which clearly
condition access to the dwelling. It is only the presence of
vestibules, particularly in the southern part of Galicia,
which would indicate this type of controlled access, by
building an architectonic space which acts as a space for
semi-public transition, between the outside and the inside of
the dwellings.
31
Archaeology of Architecture: theory, methodology and analysis from Landscape Archaeology
Domestic space. Evolution and change. constrasts sharply with the spatial organisation which
governed other geographical spaces in the Iron Age, as is
The model of spatiality in hillforts the case with the Iberian culture.
If we extend this point, it is possible to hypothesise that
The framework used by protohistorical investigation to
the types of building found in hillforts may not be reduced
define the pattern of spatiality formed by domestic hillfort
to a simple architechtonic object, conditioned by a material
architecture is inscribed within the traditional historical-
context: on the contrary, they should be analysed as living
cultural movements. From this perspective, the main
entities which carried out an active role in the social
habitational model in pre-Roman sites is constructed from
formation of the archaeological reality. From this
the following characteristics:
perspective it is possible to deal with the social and
- Hillfort communities took advantage of stone symbolic undercurrents which are hidden behind the model
resources from the area surrounding the settlement. of spatiality seen in the interior of these walled enclosures.
- The habitat appears to be defined by the general
At the moment we are far from defining a conceptual
presence of circular buildings, small in size (3 to 5
model for domestic space in the Iron Age of the north-
metres in diameter) , where the doorway is the only
western Iberian peninsula; however, it is possible to sketch
opening for light and ventilation within the
some hypotheses about the spatial model described, into
structure. The structure would have been covered
which it is possible to fit the pre-Roman level of the Elviña
with a conical straw roof, chosen as the most suitable
hillfort.
protection from the rainy climate of the Iberian
north-west. Firstly, it is important to consider the enormous stability of
- The hearth was generally placed in the center of the the internal scheme of organisation in hillfort settlements, which
dwellings, with the other spaces used for different remained unchanged throughout the second Iron Age and
domestic activities radiating outwards from it. probably originated from the beginning of the first
milennium BC. It is a constant repetition of a plan for
- The groups of buildings demonstrate a clear
inhabitation which is systematically marked by the presence
adaptation to the morphology of the landscape,
of a well-defined type of circular dwelling; the remodelling
although in some sites this was modified by the use
which is documented for these settlements at this time lead
of terraces.
to an expansion of inhabited space and a reconstruction of
- A marked individualism in the dwellings, which the dwellings, using stone, but always reproducing the
never share walls with others. This isolation, in the same design of building. It appears that there was a process
case of the circular structures, was due to the use of of consolidation and stability for a model of settlement – the
conical roofs; this system made dividing walls hillfort or permanent settlement – which perfectly responds
impractical, as they would make the normal to the socio-economic needs of a growing peasant
evacuation of water impossible, which happened all community, definitively connected with the territory which
the way round the dwelling’s perimeter. In turn, it worked on.
together with the climatic and topographical
conditions, the predominance of this circular shape At this time there was a notable demographic increase
prevented a distribution of buildings according to a which would have implied an increase in the level of
more or less orthagonal network. There does not competition for workable land, creating a gradual process of
appear to have been a preconceived plan, but instead social segmentation. This process is characterised by a
a spontaneous type of urbanism which was the result dynamic which defines all peasant societies (Wolf 1982): the
of adapting to the topography of the landscape and ideal of autarchy which lays down the foundations for
climatic conditions. family unity (a unit of production and consumption) facing
up to the need for social cohesion within the settlement
- The evolution of constructed space takes shape in the
imposed by a series of defensive needs and the collective
gradual change in the ground plans of the dwellings;
tasks of a subsistence economy.
circular constructions would give way to oval
structures with rounded corners, eventually arriving Within this context, the stability of the model may
at structures with different levels. Finally, the Roman explain the need to legitimise this continuity within the
conquest would lead to the systematic appearance of settlement; the repetition of the type of dwelling would be
buildings with square floor plans, with sharply one of the architechtonic ‘tools’ used to legitimise a
defined and/or rounded corners, which co-existed continuity of inhabitation in a time characterised by an
with the traditional, autochthonous circular increase in social competivity. In this way the
dwellings. individualisation of the family units contrasts, apparently
paradoxically, with the role of the settlement itself as a point
The sociological interpretation of this spatial pattern has
of reference which created a social identity. This is one way
only focused on the fact that this group of architechtonic
of explaining the enormous regularity which may be seen in
solutions was adopted to find isolation and independence
the articulation of constructed space, from which it is
for domestic family units. The lack of dividing walls and the
possible to infer a high degree of cultural integration and
constant presence of empty spaces between buildings
harmony when respecting the rules and values of daily life
implies zero maximisation of inhabited space, as practices
within the community.
such as joining buildings together were avoided, which
would have meant greater savings and simplicity when Therefore, in the hillfort culture there is an obvious
constructing. Here the model of construction in hillforts architechtonic model, accepted by the collective, which was the
32
Archaeotecture: Archaeology of Architecture
result of a cultural tradition which was respected by the The small size of these circular dwellings would seem to
community. Domestic hillfort architecture has defining indicate a cohabitational group comprising a reduced
characteristics which have come to be referred to in number of individuals which, according to an analysis of
Anthropology as primitive architecture (Guidoni 1989; classical sources, would correspond to the anthropological
Rapoport 1972). In this type of sociocultural formation, with model of the nuclear family or simple extended family (two
an important emphasis on tradition, the process of or three generations under the same roof).
architechtonic design was based on technical knowledge The lack of dividing walls within the dwelling means that
which was within the reach of all of the members of the there is no differentiation between shared spaces; this
community, meaning that any member of the group was regular use of the interior reflects a high degree of internal
able to build his own dwelling. However, there is always a cohesion within the parental unit, and no consideration
previously written model, which makes it possible or whatsoever for the privacy of its members. In turn, the
impossible to do certain things, and which fits the majority existence of a single space in which all daily activities took
of demands, whether these be cultural, physical or for the place indicates scant socio-economical complexity. The
purpose of maintenance. This is a completely uniform dwelling is presented as a habitational unit, for production
model, which offers few innovations and gives rise to a and consumption; the majority of daily tasks took place
strong persistence of forms. According to A. Rapoport inside it or directly around it.
(1972: 15-6) this constructive technique is characterised by:
The possible areas of activity (food preparation, fabrication
- A total lack of theoretical or æsthetic pretentions.
of domestic utensils, storage, sleeping space etcetera) are
- Unspecialised and open type of work, based on an radially placed within the dwelling. The hearth was the
adaptation to the conditions imposed by the site central point of both the dwelling and its inhabitants’ lives,
chosen and the microclimate. acting as a basic reference point according to which people
- Total respect towards the other buildings present and objects were situated and oriented; the hearth gave the
- The existence of a common inheritence and a necessary light and heat for the activities of domestic life.
hierarchy of values which the business of In pre-industrial societies, the fire in the hearth which
construction adapted to point by point. burns continually is associated with unity, the protection of
In this way, in primitive societies – even in traditional property, rememberance of predecessors and the welfare of
peasant societies – cultural tradition imposes a discipline or its inhabitants, giving it an important symbolic content,
strict control over the construction of dwellings, configuring even attaining a supernatural and mythological significance.
a commonly known model which would explain the lack of Everthing seems to indicate that protohistoric communities
designers or specialists. Similarly, in these communities such as the hillfort culture would have shared beliefs and
there was no differentiation between magic and work, the carried out rituals aimed at maintaining the beneficial
religious and the secular, ritual and use of space; all of the power of the hearth. Although we lack data which could
manifestations of material culture reflect in one way or confirm this hypothesis, it is true to say that it played an
another the cosmovision which was accepted and shared by essential role in the construction of the dwelling.
the collective. Domestic architecture and constructed spaces Reconstruction of some dwellings has been seen, where the
are the physical incarnation of this pattern of rationality and hearth remained in the same position, which may be the
tradition. The living space and the daily activities which result of it being a domestic symbol.
took place within it symbolically express the ontological and Lines of movement inside the dwelling would have been
metaphorical foundations of the particular cosmovision of conditioned by the area lit by the doorway and the central
its inhabitants (Richards 1990; Parker and Richards 1994a, hearth; coming close to the dwelling, one would have first
1994b). seen the hearth; once the threshold had been crossed, the
We therefore believe that the architectonic configuration internal organisation of space would have only been
of the circular hillfort dwelling with its central fireplace partially visible due to the smoky atmosphere. The angle of
would have been fundamentally determined by visibility from the threshold, as well as artificial
sociocultural factors. Their permanence as dwellings may illumination, establish from a perceptive point of view a
only be understood by considering the vigour of a strong division into two areas:
cultural tradition which perpetuated this architectonic style - A central area, around the hearth, with better
by responding perfectly to the social and symbolic needs of lighting and visible from outside, which could be
hillfort culture. Only in this way is it possible to explain considered as a public area in which the most
why this type of building continued to be used until late on important activities took place.
in this period; the arrival of the Romans and the gradual - A partially dark area, invisible from outside, which
abandonment of local traditions which upheld this model could be defined as a highly private space (with
would lead to the substitution (although not wholly regard to the outside), where the inhabitants slept
definitive) of this type of structure for another which was and kept domestic materials.
quite different.
This spatial structuring or topological scheme has been
The symbolic component of this constructive tradition documented in circular dwellings from Recent Prehistory
escapes us for the moment. However, there are some and the Iron Age in different parts of Britain (Richards 1990;
features in hillfort dwellings which may shed some light on Hingley 1990) which have the same formal characteristics as
a sociocultural interpretation. the circular hillfort dwellings. This division of internal
domestic space has led, in the mentioned contexts, to a
33
Archaeology of Architecture: theory, methodology and analysis from Landscape Archaeology
structuralist interpretation which focuses on the spatial Here we are not denying the existence of a possible
reflection of gender relationships and of social organisation differentiation of spaces according to gender within the
within the family unit; this specific topology would in turn living space. Even though the archaeological record does
define a conceptual segmentation of space, defining a not reveal it as such, this does not mean that there was no
specific space for women apart from another predominantly symbolic distinction of space, which would have different
male space. significances for each group according to age and sex8.
In the case we are dealing with, the limitations of the What is more reasonable to defend for the time being is the
record impede this kind of approximation of the spatial important position of women in the home at least in the
organisation imposed on individuals from the hillfort second Iron Age; at this time there is no sign of spatial
culture depending on their gender. Investigations into the segregation between men and women, with both sexes
role of women in the Iron Age in north-western Spain have living together and working within the family nucleus, with
not yet been proposed. However, it is possible to offer some a relatively high degree of equality between both groups. It
data about the relationship between women and domestic is possible to suggest a hypothetical evolutionary process
space, as is the case in other contexts such as the Iberian from the Bronze Age onwards, when there could have been
(Guérin 1999: 90-1) and Celtiberian world (Ortega 1999: 108- a spatial/social separation and more subjection of women.
14). Anthropological analysis has thus demonstrated the The eventual consolidation of a fully functional peasant
existence of two constant elements in primitive and society, such as that characterised by written sources (with
traditional societies: an uxorilocal system of residence) would lead to an
- The hearth is the basic nucleus or focal point of the important increase in the power of women within the
family unit (without a hearth domestic space does domestic environment, and consequently within the
not exist). economic infrastructure of these communities from the
- The domestic chores which take place in this area are second Iron Age.
always carried out by the female members of the As previously mentioned, anthropological investigation
cohabitational group. has commented on the fact that the home, in
In fact, in the interior of hillfort dwellings there has been premodern/preindustrial societies, is of great symbolic
a systematic documentation of archaeological remains importance for those who live in it; it is not just a roof, but
(kitchen ceramics, “fusaiolas”) which refer us to all of the instead something which expresses and represents, like a
process of preparation and cooking of foodstuffs and to microcosmos, the vision which the inhabiting community
other domestic activities such as the weaving of cloth. Here has of the organisation of its society and its world (Lévi-
it is possible to present women as having a dominant role in Strauss 1991; Carsten and Hugh-Jones 1995). Archaeological
the domestic environment and subsistence economies of investigation has unravelled some of these symbolic and
these communities. Classic sources also underline the cosmological aspects in different prehistoric contexts,
importance of women in the process of economic reflected in the ritual orientation of dwellings and their
production and their importance in the transmission of hearths, or in the localisation of a pattern of spatiality
goods and the articulation of the system of land-ownership. defined through a binary scheme which reproduces
cosmological themes.
With regard to domestic hillfort architecture, there is an
important empirical problem in attempting to arrive at
cosmological interpretations of this style; however, the
architechtonic form reproduced by circular dwellings, the
result of a strong cultural tradition, may be proposed as a
reflection at microspatial level of social hillfort space. It is
possible for there to be a correspondence between the
different spatial environments which form the hillfort
landscape:
- Space within the dwelling.
- The model of spatiality shown in the interior of the
community
8 Some dwellings have a small bench which runs along the inner
wall around the central hearth (another example of radial
distribution around the focal point of the ‘lareira’ (hearth)).
Strabonian references bring to mind meals where the members of
the group would sit along this bench according to a heirarchy
defined by age. It refers to a specific spatial organisation and group
composition within the dwelling when carrying out collective
Figure 13. Kinship and transmission of goods in NW Iberian activity such as eating. The overriding spatial scheme, which we are
Peninsula prerromans people (Bermejo 1978; García unaware of, could symbolically reprodue the internal social
Quintela 1999) articulation of the family group.
34
Archaeotecture: Archaeology of Architecture
- The model of economic territory which forms and The Galaico-Roman model of spatiality
articulates the settlement.
We have seen how the domestic architecture from the Iron
- Symbolic space.
Age in north-western Iberia, and the spatial organisation
The circular dwelling would act as a microcosmos, a which it caused, is the result of a cultural tradition which
metaphorical representation of the spatial organisation of establishes a very uniform constructive model. It is a type of
the community’s territory, articulated in the model of architecture built by all, with practically only one type of
concave landscape, proposed in the investigative field of dwelling, with no place for originality or innovation; this
Landscape Archaeology which we share (Criado 1989, 1993; strong conservative feeling made practically all hillfort
Parcero 1993, 1995a, 1995b). The circular shape of the dwellings the same, and meant that the architecture from
dwelling is the same as the walled hillforts themselves, the second Iron Age has a practically non-chronological
which in turn coincide with the territory which the nature. This architectonic model only started to undergo
community works upon with the economic activities of significant changes with the gradual process of introducing
subsistence: working the land, pasture for animals, areas culture under Roman rule.
where prime materials are extracted, etcetera. The hillfort, a
The Elviña site perfectly demonstrates the most
monumental element, built to see and be seen, occupies the
important changes which took place of this type. Firstly,
central point around which radiate the different spatial
there was a gradual appearance of square or rectangular
spheres of economic action which integrate the territory
designs in domestic buildings; curved sections were
directly controlled by the settlement. This model of
swapped for perfectly defined corners. It was the end of the
landscape thus defines two spatial areas: a central area
predominance of circular shapes within these populations,
formed by the settlement, pasture and farmland, and a
although there would be a period of joint existence of both
periferal area of empty land which acts as a frontier with the
types of construction until late on, as seen in the Galico-
territory of other communties.
Roman settlement of Viladonga.
We therefore believe that hillfort socity created a process
There was a noteable change in building methods; there
of territorialisation and domestication of the landscape,
was widespread use of iron implements in quarrying work
which it used to define a circular spatial model to structure
(instead of bronze), and important improvements in
material reality and which could be a basic structural
carpentry techniques. The fitting of stone blocks in walls
principal within the society. This conceptual model could
was more carefully accomplished, with mortar being used
have been applied in the spatial organisation of the
in some cases. The internal walls were also better finished,
territory, defining a series of relevant opposites: settlement –
and plastering became more common. New architechtonic
community (us) –central area-culture-life (you) periphery-
solutions appeared at this time, such as roof tiles being used
frontier communities (them) –nature-death. In this way the
for rectangular dwellings (tiled roofs gradually became
social space of the hillfort culture was articulated via
popular alongside straw coverings).
strategies which distinguished the identity and the cohesion
of the community with respect to the exterior: visibility and These architectural changes were in turn accompanied
monumentality of the settlement, access restricted by a wall by novelties in the domestic contents of the dwellings:
which, in turn, hid and isolated internal habitational space circular millstones appeared, Roman table ceramics
from the exterior, etcetera. appeared (both common and terra sigillata), or the presence
of amphorae for storage in the interior of the dwellings, are
This model would be reproduced in the objects which
all clear examples of new tendencies in daily domestic
formed the domestic space: the circular dwelling acts as a
habits.
microcosmos (in the same way as the hillfort acted as an
imago mundi), as a negative of social space, although the However, the most outstanding feature of this process of
dichotomy which is now reflected is of the opposition change was the gradual modification of the scheme of
between the family unit and the community. The spatial organisation defined by pre-Roman domestic
architectonic solutions which were adopted, independently architecture. Here there are a series of significant variations:
of environmental conditioning factors, were aimed at - The use of four-sided buildings meant a
achieving a total isolation of the dwelling. Hillfort dwellings maximisation of the dwelling’s interior space; we
are the physical incarnation of an ideal environment: the should not forget that circular constructions do not
peasant ideal of autarchy which reigns over the life of a make best use of habitational space. Straight lines
family unit conceived as an entity of production and made possible a more orderly distribution of
consumption. In turn, the hillfort was the physical dwellings, making it possible for them to be built
expression of this same ideal: the settlement as an alongside each other using dividing walls. This all
identifying framework of a peasant society closed in upon resulted from an increased rationalisation of
itself. Both served to perpetuate and facilitate this ideal, constructed space in line with the Mediterranean
reflecting the cosmovision and the way of life which urban model.
supported it. - Rectangulal shapes equally favour the appearance of
This is what makes it possible, for the time being, to talk internal divisions within domestic constructions. The
about the symbolic nature of hillfort architecture. sharing of internal space implies defining different
areas, the presence of physical spatial limits, and
consequently a greater degree of privacy, maintained
by a high degree of control over access to these areas.
The segmentation of domestic space indicates a
35
Archaeology of Architecture: theory, methodology and analysis from Landscape Archaeology
noteworthy socio-spatial complexity with regard to dwellings with others which included new features; the
the single space of circular dwellings. replacement of old architechtonic styles was in many cases
- There is no direct access from the outside to the due to the prestige value and quality of construction of the
interior of the domestic space; architechtonic new buildings, more than because of a lack of suitability of a
structures now appear which control and limit free way of life which still existed.
circulation, acting as mechanisms which control the Elsewhere, this habitational co-existence reveals
space of the entrance. This function is carried out by (although more clearly in some sites than others, such as
different constructive elements, such as atria, Elviña), the beginnings of a break with the traditional
vestibules, stone steps or buttresses which precede model. Rural societies were beginning to form part of a new
and define the entrance door. economic framework, characterised by the extension of
- Another novel aspect to consider is the breakdown of agricultural activity based on cereals, an increase in the
the radial emplacement of areas of activity around a work of artesans, and the opening up of commercial routes
point defined by the central hearth. These came to be which would take advantage of the new roads built by the
systematically placed next to the wall, either to one Romans in the region. However, there was also an
side of the door or in front of it. integration of new institutional, religious and ideological
- There was an increase in the settlements of contexts. The process of adopting the Roman model meant a
earthmoving work and preparation of the ground, profound transformation or remodelling of the cosmovision
and circulation was improved inside the area thanks and family structure of the hillfort culture.
to ramps, stairs and small paved pathways. Also, As we have already mentioned, the family organisation
public buildings appeared, which were clearly in the Iron Age in the north west, according to classic
differentiated from the other constructions. sources, would have tended towards the consolidation of
These changes underline the gradual configuration of a large families and matrilocality. According to Strabo,
new model of spatiality within hillfort settlements which married sons left the family home and received the dowry
were still inhabited when the Galaico-Roman society was from their sisters, who possessed the right to make to full
being formed. They are therefore cleas signs of the use of the land. The importance the role of women
appearance of culture within an indigenous society which corresponded to the lack of segmentation of domestic space
was affected by the socio-economic politics of Rome. according to gender. In contrast to this system of
Nevertheless, this process of cultural change developed relationships, Roman culture emphasised the power of the
differently according to the geographical region: in the male in family units (in accordance to the patrilineal and
north of Galicia and in coastal settlements, like Elviña, there patrilocal Latin model), which unlawfully occupied the
was a profound urban and architechtonic change, whereas property of the means of production, as part of a process of
in other areas of the conventus lucensis the local traditions privatising the land. A new model appeared seen in rural
continued, although they incorporated innovations brought families from the high Middle Ages, ideologically
by the Romans. sanctioned by Christian doctrine since the fourth century.
Here it is possible to see a process of continuity and We therefore believe that the changes in the internal
rupture at this time of change: on one hand, the architecture organisation of domestic space obeys a transformation in
found in Galaico-Roman settlements from the period the economic and family structure; the breakdown of a
(Elviña, Santa Trega, etc...) began to demonstrate the single, collective domestic space may perhaps demonstrate
transformation which was happening within the pattern of a different concept of the individual. The breaking down of
rationality and social structure of these communities: on the space, organised in different areas, would reflect greater
other, they also reflect the persistence of a strong local economic specialisation (different areas of activity), and a
architechtonic tradition. This phenomenon should thus be segmentation in the interior of the family unit (highly
dealt with in two ways. private spaces). The home, which was more integrated
within the urban organisation of the settlement, is even
It is possible that at the time there was a general
more defined as a nucleus for identity, with more severe
continuation of the pre-Roman conceptual model of
control and restriction on access to it. misma.
domestic space. The changes which resulted from contact
with Rome changed domestic architecture and building These are gradual but stubstantial changes, the product
methods: however, the circular hillfort dwelling, the shape of a process of cultural changes, which gradually
and type of settlement, were still used although the culture undermined the legitimacy and stability of the seemingly
which used them and gave them meaning was gradually unmovable pre-Roman architechtonic tradition. The
definitive consolidation of the new spatial model would
changing9. This explains the co-existence of traditional
occur with the integratory politics developed by the Flavian
dynasty, which became a real factor for social change by
promoting measures such as the concession of the Ius Latii,
9Anthropology gives us cases where the change from a circular to a
rectangular building covered over a continuity in the basic
the imposition of a new type of tributary politics (censo) or
organisation of space. For example, in some areas of western Africa the privatising of lands. The configuration of this new socio-
the process of colonisation led to the abandonment of circular politico-economic framework would be accompanied by the
dwellings: the new rectangular houses came to be the expression, organisation of rural populations according to the villae and
via a different way of life, of the preceding conceptual/spatial the subsequent abandonment of the hillfort - and its spatial
model (Hingley 1990: 135-6). organisation- as the principal model of settlement (end of 1
A.D. – beginning of the II century).
36
Archaeotecture: Archaeology of Architecture
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social, political and economic reality, such as the Roman programa de gestión integral del patrimonio
Gallaecia. arqueológico. Boletín del Instituto Andaluz del Patrimonio
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Archaeotecture: Archaeology of Architecture
Illustrations
Table 1. Diagram that summarises the s Stratigraphic
analysis or elevation readings.
39