It is a general law of Islamic architecture that elements and features that evolved for a structural reason come, with the passage of time and refinement of the forms, to be transformed into decorative features; that is, non-structural embellishments or modifications of the forms begin to appear. The same process is common to other schools of architecture, but a specific characteristic of Islam has been its propensity to draw upon previous sources and to develop them as a specifically Islamic idiom or theme. It is also a characteristic of Islamic art that an ambiguity often remains as to whether certain forms were meant to be fully decorative or purely architectonic; there are many instances where they represent a mixture of the two. The shouldered arch is an interesting example of this characteristic evolutionary approach, and this paper reviews the chronology of its use and development in the areas most populated and influenced by the early expansion of Islam: Iran, Mesopotamia, Anatolia and Egypt. The study seeks to trace the development of the decorative form of the shouldered arch and its use as an articulating device, and to suggest the influences in its evolution. It focuses on the Saljuq (1040–1194) and Mongol or Ilkhanid (1220–1336) periods, while including mention of other contemporary dynasties and cultures of relevance.
This article deals with the architecture of the hilltop v£llage of Dayr Hanna in eastern Galilee. The village contains many eighteenth century remains from the time when Dayr Hanna was one of the main strongholds of Zahir al-C Umar and his family. Survey work concentrated on the remains of the palace (dar) which is gradually collapsing. In addition the village contains a domed mosque with a fine decorated mihrab. The centre of the village is contained within walls dating to the eighteenth century and outside are the remains of towers which once formed part of the outer fortifications.
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