Size Matters - Understanding Monumentality Across Ancient Civilizations

• Other Authors: Buccellati, Federico (Editor), Hageneuer, Sebastian (Editor), van der Heyden, Sylva (Editor), Levenson, Felix (Editor)
• Format: Electronic Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Bielefeld transcript Verlag 2019
• Series: Histoire 146
• Subjects: Ancient history: to c 500 CE; Monumentality; Architecture; Energetics; Identity; Labour; Monument; Perception; Reception; Cultural History; Ancient History; History
• Online Access: OAPEN Library: download the publication; OAPEN Library: description of the publication

When talking about monuments, size undeniably matters - or does it? But how else can we measure monumentality? Bringing together researchers from various fields such as archaeology, museology, history, sociology, Mesoamerican studies, and art history, this book discusses terminological and methodological approaches in both theoretical contributions and various case studies. While focusing on architectural aspects, this volume also discusses the social meaning of monuments, the role of forced and free labour, as well as textual monumentality. The result is a modern interdisciplinary take on an important concept which is notoriously difficult to define. When talking about monuments, size undeniably matters - or does it? But how else can we measure monumentality? Bringing together researchers from various fields such as archaeology, museology, history, sociology, Mesoamerican studies, and art history, this book discusses terminological and methodological approaches in both theoretical contributions and various case studies. While focusing on architectural aspects, this volume also discusses the social meaning of monuments, the role of forced and free labour, as well as textual monumentality. The result is a modern interdisciplinary take on an important concept which is notoriously difficult to define.