Ritual Buildings Research Articles

A ritual building from the Umm an‐Nar settlement, Dahwa 7 in al‐Batinah Plain, Northeast Oman

AbstractThis study makes the argument for the presence of a category of small‐sized ritual buildings at the Umm an‐Nar (2700–2000 BC) sites of Dahwa 1 (DH1) and Dahwa 7 (DH7). These buildings are DH1.S20 and DH7.S1. The architectural features and associated finds point to their ritual function. Building DH7.S1 will be the focus while presenting arguments for its ritual role. Besides domestic buildings within a clustered settlement system and a monumental tomb dating to the Umm an‐Nar period, the site might give unique evidence of a form of small buildings that served a ritual purpose. These buildings have no clear parallel in the excavated Umm an‐Nar period settlements so far but adhere to the principles of cultic structures from elsewhere around the Near East that support their interpretation as cultic buildings.

Metropolitans of All Rus’, Protectors of Moscow: the Veneration of Metropolitan Petr (14th–16th Century)

Abstract This article discusses the veneration of Metropolitan Petr of Kyiv and all Rus’ in 14th–16th century Moscow. It focuses on the shifting roles attributed to his tomb in the Dormition Cathedral, from locally developed veneration, to a source of ecclesiastical legitimacy. In the first section, I trace the cult’s development from the earliest hagiographical writings to posthumous miracles included in chronicle writing and artistic representations of Petr’s activity as an icon painter. The second section examines a possible attempt at ritual building for local appointments of metropolitans, after 1448, revolving around Petr’s tomb. I argue that Petr’s saintly image was purposely shaped over two centuries from a wonderworking saint to also a military protector of the city and a prototype of the legitimate metropolitan of all Rus’. Although his tomb did not receive a permanent place in enthronement ceremonies, in the 16th century it became synonymous with the seat of the metropolitan, and played a major role in the subsequent veneration of a correct line of ecclesiastical successors buried in its proximity.

Religious heritage and change in the North

The current issue of Approaching Religion is based on a conference arranged in Åbo/Turku, Finland, in November 2022, with the theme ‘Religious Heritage and Change in the North’. The conference was organized jointly by the research network Religious History of the North (REHN, Umeå University), and the research project ‘Changing Spaces: Ritual Buildings, Sacred Objects, and Human Sensemaking’ (Inez and Julius Polin Institute for Theological Research/Åbo Akademi University).

A Jurchen Temple at the Southern Ussuri Fortifi ed Site, in Primorye

The article outlines the fi ndings of excavations of a ritual building discovered at the Southern Ussuri fortifi ed site (Primorye Territory), identifi ed as the capital of the Xupin county of the Jurchen Jin Dynasty. Previously it was thought that the Southern Ussuri town was founded by the Balhae people and that during its early period it was the center of the Balhae district of Shuaibin, while the Jurchens appeared there later. However, our fi ndings suggest that the town belonged to the Jurchens from the beginning. Despite the high density of modern buildings on the territory of the medieval town, our study of what was left of the habitation deposits has allowed us to determine the architectural horizons and to associate them with specifi c historical periods. Based on the analysis of materials excavated from a building located on the upper architectural horizon, architectural features of a medieval building representing the Buddhist tradition were described: the colonnade, roof style, and sculptural representations of dragons, phoenixes, and Buddhist immortals. New decorative motifs on the tiles of the front and eaves of the roof were discovered, and new standards of building materials were identifi ed. The fi ndings suggest that the ritual structure dates to the 13th century— the second period of the Jurchen Eastern Xia State (1234–1276), preceding the Yuan Dynasty. Special architectural features revealed during the excavations of the upper architectural horizon are reliable indicators for assessing the age of other sites in Primorye.

The origins of political institutions and property rights

We study the possible cooperation between nonelites exerting an unobservable effort and elites unable to commit to direct transfers and, thus, always assure the nonelites’ participation. The elites can, however, incentivize investment by granting to the nonelites strong property rights to the input and a more inclusive political process, which entrusts them with control over fiscal policies. Adverse production conditions force the elites to enact strong nonelites’ political and property rights to convince them that a sufficient part of the returns on joint investments will be shared via public good provision. These reforms assure cooperation. When, instead, the expected investment return is large, the elites keep control over fiscal policies but refrain from weakening the nonelites’ property rights, while strengthening their own, if the production conditions are sufficiently opaque. Then, the expected cost of providing the extra public good guaranteeing the nonelites’ participation is too large. These predictions are consistent with novel data on 44 major Mesopotamian polities observed for each half-century from 3050 to 1750 BCE. While a lower growing season temperature favored a larger division of the decision-making power and stronger farmers’ use rights to land, only the latter are related to the diffusion of the very opaque viticulture. In addition, only the inclusiveness of the political process fostered the provision of public and ritual buildings as well as conscripted armies. Crucially, our results are robust to considering the trade potential, the severity of conflicts, and the degree of urbanization.

The First Ancestral Hall in Ten Counties in Bizhou - Yu Yuan Clan Ancestral Hall in Wuyi County

The Yu Ancestral Hall, as a ritual building of Yu Yuan village, is magnificent in size, neat in form, elaborate in workmanship and exquisite in carving. The ancestral hall and the theatre within it are known as "the first ancestral hall in ten counties" and "the first stage in eight counties in Wuzhou". This article examines the impact of the socio-economic and cultural development of the Ming and Qing dynasties on the construction of clan shrines under the patriarchal system, as well as the transformation of the style and architectural types and practices of clan shrine architecture in the Ming and Qing dynasties and the Republic of China in central Zhejiang.It provides reference for the further protection of ancestral hall Keywords: zhezhong; Yu clan ancestral hall; clan architecture; building regulations; decorative techniques DOI: 10.7176/CER/14-4-08 Publication date: June 30 th 2022

RITUAL BUILDINGS AND THEIR DEVELOPMENT IN BILAD AL-SHAM FROM THE PALEOLITHIC PERIOD TO THE END OF THE PRE-POTTERY NEOLITHIC “B” PERIOD: SELECTED SITES

This article examines the types of excavated buildings and areas with ideological and religious features in Bilad al-Sham from the Paleolithic Period until the Pre-Pottery Neolithic “B” Period. Religion played an important role in reducing people’s fear and weakness towards other creatures, as they practiced religious rituals in a variety of forms, beginning in the Paleolithic Period with some caches of ritual objects made of various materials such as pieces of stone or bone, or in the form of architectural structures containing stones in human and animal form, representing what can be called ritual buildings. With further development of people’s religious thoughts and beliefs, religious features became more apparent, and their numbers and variety increased. In the Neolithic Period, ritual buildings became more rooted and show further development and cohesion of people’s thoughts and religious beliefs. As a result, the types of ritual buildings included independent buildings containing artistic and architectural religious elements; rooms within the residential buildings containing caches for flint, stone, bone or animal tools and art pieces and plastered skulls; or colorful drawings on the walls or floors of buildings, all connected to religious thought, which means that the buildings can be called ritual buildings.

Not far from the limits of the Northern Uruk Culture in the Middle/Upper Euphrates: the later Chalcolithic levels of Surtepe (Birecik, Southeastern Turkey)

The Uruk Expansion, which took place during various phases throughout the 4th millennium BC, also developed in Northern Mesopotamia. In the area of Birecik, in eastern Turkey, on the edge of the Euphrates, various archaeological sites have been discovered, showing different phases of expansion of the Uruk culture. We focus this study on the Surtepe site, a 8 ha settlement, where we have distinguished a possible Late Calcolithic 5 ritual building, in a phase that we consider Terminal Uruk within the chronology of this Mesopotamian culture

Struggle on the Axis: The Advance and Retreat of Buddhist Influences in the Political Axis of Capitals in Medieval China (220–907)

Buddhist influences on the sacred axis of the capital during Medieval China (220–907) underwent a process of starting with little impact during the era of Eastern Han, Caowei, and Western Jin (220–317) to a more prominent influence from the late Southern and Northern Dynasties (386–589) to early Tang (618–907), peaked during the reign of Wu Zetian (690–705), and roughly returned to the layout patterns from the late Southern and Northern Dynasties to early Tang after the death of Wu Zetian. As maintained below, the process appears complex in terms of the interaction between Buddhism and political space throughout early Medieval China. There are roughly two modes of integration and interaction between Buddhist buildings and ritual buildings with Buddhist influences and the political axis of the capital: the first mode can be regarded as a typical mode after its establishment in the late Northern Wei Dynasty. This mode exhibits major Buddhist influences, particularly regarding the huge scale of monasteries and pagodas, and the location of high-rise pagodas as landmarks flanking the political axis of the capital. The second mode should be regarded as an atypical mode occurring during the late period of Emperor Wu of the Liang (464–549, r. 502–549), the period of Northern Qi (550–577), and the reign of Wu Zetian. At this point, Buddhist buildings and imperial ritual buildings with Buddhist characteristics and symbolic meanings were placed directly on the political axis of the capital, close to or located at the core of the palace. This practice was a sign that the influence of Buddhism in the political culture and ideology of the entire empire during these eras of Emperor Wu of the Liang, the Northern Qi, and the reign of Wu Zetian had reached their culmination. Architecture reflected the most intuitive embodiment of an external visual form in presenting the most symbolic image of power. With the decline of political enthusiasm for advocating Buddhism, Buddhist and related buildings no longer occupied the political axis of the capital. Various forces majeure such as natural fires, demolition, and reconstruction by subsequent rulers also led to the demise of Buddhist influence on the pollical axis of capital architecture in subsequent eras.

The symbolism of the stone in the iconic buildings of antiquity

The image of the stone city is now firmly embedded in our reality. From a cultural point of view, the stone is of great importance for determining the value of religious and social objects, since it was necessary to make every effort to process and move it. The author traces the history of the use of this material for ritual and religious buildings since ancient times. The research can be useful for determining the focus of attention on symbolic and ritual objects in a historical and social context.

Археологические памятники в долине р. Каменка (Змеиногорский и Третьяковский районы Алтайского края)

The article summarizes the research of banks of the Kamenka River and the right tributary of the Aleya River. The river with a total length of 37 km has its springheads in the spurs of the Revnevaya mountain (1110 m above sea level). In 2002, 2004–2005 and 2007, expeditions of the Altai State University to the Kamenka Valley sides recorded 36 objects of various facies affiliation — locations, camps, settlements, tumulus necropolises, ritual buildings, a stela, a quarry workshop, and a melting furnace. A number of objects do not yet have a dating, and some relate to different periods of the Stone, Bronze and Early Iron Ages, to the early and developed Middle Ages.

The Topography of Ritual Buildings in Villages of the Tobolsk Governorate (Late 19th to Early 20th Century)

This is the first case study of important places ofpublic worship in three villages of the Tobolsk Governorate in the late 1800s and early 1900s, with reference to architectural planning, hagiography, and religious attitudes. The churches in Obdorskoye and Romanovskoye are located either on an elevated, unoccupied territory in a natural environment or in the center of residential quarters, according to the Russian architectural traditions. The choice of saints was motivated by the ethnic, religious, and cultural situation. Dedications of altars to Archangel Michael, Sts. Peter and Paul, St. Basil the Great, and St. Nicholas were meant to protect while affirming religious values, canons, and dogmas of Russian Orthodoxy. At the Kobyatskieyurts, a mosque was built. Its architecture stood out from the residential quarters, following the Islamic tradition. Its construction, evidencing the religious identity of the residents of the yurts, testified to the recognition of their rights. The topography of religious buildings in villages differing in the ethnicity and religious beliefs of residents evidenced the strategy of ecclesiastical guidance, religious symbolism, and the villagers’ attitudes.

Interpreting Subadult Burials and Head Shaping at Çadır Höyük

Abstract Skeletal remains discovered from the Late Chalcolithic layers of Çadır Höyük have been analyzed in terms of demographic structure and intentional head shaping. It is observed that perinatal babies and young infants were buried in dwellings belonging to the earliest phase of the settlement. Burials of older children, located in public and ritual buildings and characterized by the presence of prestigious items, represent an important change in burial customs. Some of these children appear to be affected by head shaping. The low frequency of head shaping within the settlement, location of the burials, and prestigious grave goods may well reflect that the reshaped individuals belonged to high social ranks. Moreover, on the basis of the above-mentioned evidence, reshaped individuals may have inherited their social status at birth.

Топография знаковых культовых зданий в поселениях Тобольской губернии конца XIX — начала XX века

Топография знаковых культовых зданий в поселениях Тобольской губернии конца XIX — начала XX века

松坡 姜佑永의 생애와 詩世界

This paper is writing about life and the world of poetry of Songpa Kang Woo-young who lived in the late 19th century in Ui-ryung Kyung-Sang-Woo-Do. Songpa was born in a family that was well-known for loyalty and filial duty and having origin in Nammyunghakpa. After the fall of Nammyunghakpa, he learned from Jang Bok-chu and Kim Do-hwa, and he made friendship with Jang Seok-yun, Jang Seung-taek, Jeon Kyu-jin, Ahn Jeong-han transcending the color of the party. As he became old around 60, he made Bongrijeongsa and named it like Gobanjeong and stayed there.He left 112 poems with 101 titles, and his poetry has three types in it. First, Songjeoljihyang (aiming the joint of pine tree) set the image of self-discipline to overcome complicated matters in the world as pine tree, and expressed the virtues he aimed for in the intrinsic characteristics of pine tree such as Keunko, Jiji, Manchui, Jikkan. Second, Jichui of Eunkeogudo is building Bonrijeongsa and responding Eunkeojajeong to the drastically changing reality of the era, he expressed seeking moral philosophy as discipline of mind through Jikyungkogbu or having standard for discipline of ethics of Jeongiljipjoong. Third, the efforts of Bojonchwon is pledging the remembrance of ancestors as descendants of loyal family, he proclaimed for the virtue of ancestors practicing plan for hard work, establishing tombstone, writing the epitaph, repairing ritual building.

The Inca conquest of Cerro Azul

By AD 1450 the Inca had annexed the Kingdom of Lunahuaná in the chaupi yunga of the Cañete Valley. The Kingdom of Huarco proved much more difficult to subdue, but by AD 1470, after several efforts, the Inca succeeded. While Inkawasi (in the señorío de Lunahuaná) and Cerro Azul (in the señorío de Huarco) both have Inca architecture, their differences reflect the multiple strategies of the Inca empire. Inkawasi was a planned town dominated by standardized storage rooms. At Cerro Azul the Inca built ritual buildings on the sea cliffs, where they could be seen from a great distance. These buildings include an ushnu of sillar (a stone of volcanic origin) with a stone stairway that led to the ocean, allowing offerings to Urpay Huachac or Mamaqocha, and an adobe building with a possible intiwatana and a mirador that provides a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean.

Towering above – an interpretation of the Late Iron Age architecture at Toftum Næs, Denmark

ABSTRACTThe newly excavated sites of Toftum Naes, Jutland (Denmark), will be presented, and the special features that have been registered here will be discussed. In particular, the conspicuous architecture will figure prominently; a very sturdily built and thus high structure that can only be interpreted as a tower placed along with a succession of larger hall-type buildings, and a possible ritual building. This ‘aristocratic quarter’ is in direct contact with another area characterized by a larger pit-house cluster of more the 100 units, and placed in the vicinity of two conjoining streams. The different structures mentioned and their internal, topographical distribution as well as architectural features will be incorporated as the main base for a functional interpretation of and motive behind the buildings and the activities pertaining to the site in general. The topic of commercial control and what type of influence the aristocracy had on the early development on these types of sites will be included. ...

The Enchantment of Agriculture: State Decentering and Irrigated Rice Production in Bali

This article explores state involvement in the ‘enchanted’ aspects of irrigated rice production in Bali, Indonesia. Modernising states invariably forward what Max Weber called the rationalisation and disenchantment of the world. In irrigation management, the Indonesian colonial and postcolonial states operated staunchly on this model. ‘Enchanted’ elements of Balinese rice production involving temples and rituals were assumed irrelevant and sidelined. Recently, however, bursts of state-funded construction of irrigation temples and shrines suggest a surprising shift. The post-Suharto decentralised state appears to be supporting the enchantment of irrigated agriculture. This article deals with the relationship between legislation under the decentralised state and ritual building activities in Balinese irrigation associations (subak). We examine how contemporary farmers view the new emphasis on ‘ritual technology’. Does it constitute decentralised support of the farmers' world, of local priorities and variance, or a new homogenising project?

Rêves et paradoxes d’un édifice rituel au cœur d’un quartier d’affaires de Santiago (Chili)

Cet article étudie un lieu de commémoration issue d’un projet architectural entrainant un enjeu politique et culturel, le Mémorial Jaime Guzmán, l’idéologue de Pinochet, assassiné en 1991 par des militants d’extrême gauche. Nous examinons les dimensions esthétiques, politiques et culturelles de la conception de cet édifice ainsi que le processus le conduisant au cœur du quartier de Sanhattan. Hybridation entre Santiago et Manhattan, Sanhattan reflète l’utopie d’un monde social peuplé par les gratte-ciel, en accélération permanente, et régi par le profit symbolisé par le district financier de la Grosse Pomme. Outre l’analyse des idées véhiculées par le bâtiment et le choix de l’emplacement, le Mémorial Jaime Guzmán est ici l’objet d’une ethnographie qui tient compte de ses usages et de ses effets inattendus.

The significance of places: the Christianization of Scandinavia from a spatial point of view

The question of cult continuity from pagan ‘temples’ to Christian churches in Scandinavia is a classic issue in archaeology and history. In this paper the discussion is surveyed and new perspectives are outlined, based on the ritual differences between the two religious traditions. Churches were located in relation not so much to pagan ritual buildings as to different elements in multi-focused pagan ritual landscapes, for instance burial grounds. This means that the spatial patterns varied between different parts of Scandinavia.