Toitures de basalte : encorbellement et portique dans l’architecture du Hawran (Syrie) du IVe au IIe millénaire

Abstract

In Southern Syria, the buildings in basalt stone were roofed exclusively with basalt slabs using new techniques : corbelling and system of portico and slabs. These techniques are noticed since the middle of the 4th millennium. Corbelling was mainly developed on Early Bronze Age Ia apsidal houses, and porticos in the 3rd and 2nd millennia on pillared houses. Then the house plans follow the Early Bronze major models and the roofing technique adapted to the use of basalt slabs instead of wood beams. Herder’s communities were mainly concerned with these “ inventions.” Two social contexts appear to give a frame to these developments : egalitarian herders communities during the 4th millennium, and building of prestige housing in the 3rd millennium. Afterwards theses building techniques became the common ones until the beginning of the 20th century AD.