Space as material culture: residential stone buildings on the precolonial Swahili coast in a comparative perspective
Identifikátory výsledku
Kód výsledku v IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F49777513%3A23330%2F18%3A43955197" target="_blank" >RIV/49777513:23330/18:43955197 - isvavai.cz</a>
Nalezeny alternativní kódy
RIV/60460709:41330/18:79831
Výsledek na webu
<a href="https://www.academia.edu/39788396/Space_as_Material_Culture_residential_stone_buildings_on_the_precolonial_Swahili_coast_in_a_comparative_perspective" target="_blank" >https://www.academia.edu/39788396/Space_as_Material_Culture_residential_stone_buildings_on_the_precolonial_Swahili_coast_in_a_comparative_perspective</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
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Alternativní jazyky
Jazyk výsledku
angličtina
Název v původním jazyce
Space as material culture: residential stone buildings on the precolonial Swahili coast in a comparative perspective
Popis výsledku v původním jazyce
This paper develops the notion that the structure of residential spaces has long been in a dialogue with social environments. It elaborates theoretical and methodological streams in the social sciences that focus on the interplay between society and the built environment. Space, rather than the built environment that articulates its structure, is subjected to analyses and conceptual interpretations relevant to the understanding of past constructed worlds. Although intangible and abstract, it is argued that space represents a type of material culture that could be studied through the use of the theory of affordances. We compare the layout of selected stone residences of various sizes that have been recorded in precolonial Swahili settlements at Gede, Kenya, and the Kilwa archipelago, Tanzania. To this end, we apply several methods of spatial analysis to reveal patterning in possible movements of people, and both physical and sensory access in buildings. The main goal of the paper is to derive an understanding of how these buildings helped to shape social values, and how they played a role in negotiation of multiple social interests, power, and trade relations among members of an urban society. The results highlight how material constructions like houses may channel social actions by reflecting contemporary social conventions. The argument also shows in what ways the unique nature of African urban heritage may be viewed, so that it could lend itself to cross-regional comparisons. The observations presented contribute to a broader discussion on the importance of interdisciplinary enquiry into the long history of African indigenous architecture.
Název v anglickém jazyce
Space as material culture: residential stone buildings on the precolonial Swahili coast in a comparative perspective
Popis výsledku anglicky
This paper develops the notion that the structure of residential spaces has long been in a dialogue with social environments. It elaborates theoretical and methodological streams in the social sciences that focus on the interplay between society and the built environment. Space, rather than the built environment that articulates its structure, is subjected to analyses and conceptual interpretations relevant to the understanding of past constructed worlds. Although intangible and abstract, it is argued that space represents a type of material culture that could be studied through the use of the theory of affordances. We compare the layout of selected stone residences of various sizes that have been recorded in precolonial Swahili settlements at Gede, Kenya, and the Kilwa archipelago, Tanzania. To this end, we apply several methods of spatial analysis to reveal patterning in possible movements of people, and both physical and sensory access in buildings. The main goal of the paper is to derive an understanding of how these buildings helped to shape social values, and how they played a role in negotiation of multiple social interests, power, and trade relations among members of an urban society. The results highlight how material constructions like houses may channel social actions by reflecting contemporary social conventions. The argument also shows in what ways the unique nature of African urban heritage may be viewed, so that it could lend itself to cross-regional comparisons. The observations presented contribute to a broader discussion on the importance of interdisciplinary enquiry into the long history of African indigenous architecture.
Klasifikace
Druh
J<sub>SC</sub> - Článek v periodiku v databázi SCOPUS
CEP obor
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OECD FORD obor
60102 - Archaeology
Návaznosti výsledku
Projekt
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Návaznosti
S - Specificky vyzkum na vysokych skolach
Ostatní
Rok uplatnění
2018
Kód důvěrnosti údajů
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Údaje specifické pro druh výsledku
Název periodika
South African Archaeological Bulletin
ISSN
0038-1969
e-ISSN
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Svazek periodika
73
Číslo periodika v rámci svazku
208
Stát vydavatele periodika
ZA - Jihoafrická republika
Počet stran výsledku
11
Strana od-do
82-92
Kód UT WoS článku
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EID výsledku v databázi Scopus
2-s2.0-85074110896