Dictionary of Islamic Architecture - Hardcover

Petersen, Andrew

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0415060842 ISBN 13: 9780415060844

Publisher: Routledge, 1996

Synopsis

The Dictionary of Islamic Architecture provides the fullest range of artistic, technical, archaeological, cultural and biographical data for the entire geographical and chronological spread of Islamic architecture - from West Africa through the Middle East to Indonesia, and from the seventh to the eighteenth centuries of the Common Era.
Over 500 entries are arranged alphabetically and fully cross-referenced and indexed to permit easy access to the text and to link items of related interest.
Four main categories of subject matter are explored:
* dynastic and regional overviews
* individual site descriptions
* biographical entries
* technical definitions
Over 100 relevant plans, sketch maps, photographs and other illustrations complement and illuminate the entries, and the needs of the reader requiring further information are met by individual entry bibliographies.

About this title

About the Author

Andrew Petersen is an archaeologist specializing in Islamic architecture. He has worked on archaeological excavations and building surveys in Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Turkey, Kenya and Tanzania. He is currently working for the British School of Archaeology in Jerusalem as field director of the Medieval and Ottoman Survey and as a team member of the International Merv Project in the former Soviet republic of Turkmentistan. Jerusalem.

Reviews

This resource provides an alphabetically arranged overview of the history of Islamic architecture. It consists of hundreds of entries focusing on geographical, archaeological, historical, and architectural terminology (from many languages). Every entry begins with a simple, one-sentence definition (for some technical terms there is no further explanation); most then continue with an expanded explanation from one paragraph to multiple pages in length. Many of the longer entries also include limited "Further reading" lists and "See also" references to other terms. Accompanying most entries are illustrations in the form of photographs, plans, maps, and drawings: these are especially effective when discussing architectural details unique to Islamic buildings. Critics may question the selection of entries on specific monuments, the paucity of information on modern developments, and the lack of a detailed index. However, considering its well-illustrated broad coverage of the subject and inclusion of the non-Arab Islamic world, this volume will prove an invaluable addition to any library with an interest in architecture or Islamic studies.
Eugene C. Burt, Art Inst. of Seattle Lib.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0415060842
• ISBN 13: 9780415060844
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 352